Walking when travelling is a great way to make sure you stay fit, get some fresh air, and explore a new city or area. South Australia is known for its incredible natural landscapes, and Adelaide is home to many walking and hiking trails that are sure to satisfy any traveller. Let’s look at ten of the most popular walking tracks in and around the Adelaide region.
1. Botanic Gardens
For those looking for an easy, relaxing, and even informative walk, the Botanic Gardens hosts
Special Plants of the Month
walks. Every month has a different walk, and they’re all roughly a kilometre in length. Due to the narrative nature of these walks, they still take around an hour to complete. It’s a great way to learn about different plants and get some fresh air surrounded by nature. For those looking for something longer, there’s also a 2 kilometre trail starting at Friends Gate.
2. First Falls Valley
Morialta Conservation Park is one of Adelaide’s most popular parks, and this trail goes right down into the gorge, with plenty of cliffs and waterfalls to enjoy along the way. The 1.6 kilometre trail takes around 45 minutes to complete, and is considered to be relatively easy so both kids and oldies can enjoy this one!
3. First Falls Plateau
Also in the Morialta Conservation Park, this trail goes up a steep climb, passing through Giant’s Cave and offering amazing views of the waterfalls as
4. Hallett Cove Glacier hike
Set within the Hallett Cove Conservation Park, this walking trail loop is 3 kilometres long and takes around 2 hours to complete. It’s a fascinating walk with geological information provided along the way and spectacular views of the coastline. The undulating route deems this another moderately difficult track.
5. Torrens Lane Linear Park walk
One of the most popular trails in South Australia, this 10 kilometre route runs along the River Torrens. The entire loop takes around 2.5 hours to complete, and takes in river crossing bridges as it goes past the Torrens Lake and even the Adelaide Zoo. A great walk through the centre of Adelaide that you can do with the whole family thanks to its easy nature.
6. Tennyson Dunes Native Plant trail
The Tennyson Dunes are the remnants of the coastal dune system and play host to a variety of natural flora and wildlife. This trail meanders through the dunes and takes around 45 minutes to complete. Roughly 2 kilometres in length, this is a very flat and easy walk.
7. Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty
This is a popular walk amongst locals and tourists alike as it has a well equipped path with plenty of benches for rest stops. There’s even a cafe at each end. At almost 4 kilometres in length, this walk can cater to everyone from casual walkers to expert hikers (there are a few steep sections), and as such it can take anywhere up to 2 hours to complete depending on your fitness level.
8. Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens
This self guided nature trail is 1.7 kilometres in length and should take around 2 hours to complete round trip. It’s a moderate walk and offers plenty of plant life to explore and enjoy in the Piccadilly Valley.
9. Aldgate Valley nature walk
This is a versatile walk that’s 6 kilometres one way. The walk runs mostly along footpaths so it’s quite easy to handle despite its length. The return trip can take up to 4 hours, and despite some mild undulations it’s still considered an easy walk.
10. Waterfall hike
Situated in Belair National Park, this hike runs from the lower end upwards, passing through escarpments that provide plenty of stunning scenery. At around 6.5 kilometres in length, this is a moderate level hike that should take around 3 hours to complete.
With so many hikes and walks in and around Adelaide, active travellers and nature lovers are well catered for. Many walks can be done as a family, and provide a great way to experience the area whilst spending quality time together. Pack a picnic and get those legs moving while you enjoy the best of what Adelaide and its surrounds have to offer.