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Length: 15km
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Duration: 5hrs
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Grade: 4
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Style: One way
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Start: Heysen Trail, Cleland
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End: 1 Mill Rd, Bridgewater
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Location: Mount George Conservation Park
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Closest Town:
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Distance from CBD: 17.3 km
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State: SA
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Latitude: -34.97638299
Longitude: 138.709976
Keep the Trail Access info current...

Select items to indicate conditions for access to the trail.


2WD Access


4WD Access


Public Transport


Bitumen Road


Gravel Road


Steep Road


Winding Road


Speed Bumps


Vehicle Ford


Entry Fee


Large Car Park


Small Car Park


Accessible Parking


Accessible Toilet


Public Toilets


Drinking Water


Untreated Water


Picnic Shelter


Picnic Table


BBQ Facilities


Campfire Pit


Camping Area
Keep the Trail Features current...

Mount George Conservation Park...
Select items to indicate features found along the trail.


Concrete Path


Timber Boardwalk


Gravel Path


Sandy Trail


Rough Trail


Undefined Trail


Prams & Strollers


Manual Wheelchair


Motorised Wheelchair


Bicycle Trail


Mountain Bike Trail


Historic Rail Trail


Dog Friendly


Urban Walk


Coast & Beach


Historic Lighthouse


Waterfalls & Lakes


Rainforest Walk


Goldfields & Mining


Heritage Walk


Aboriginal Art


Alpine Region


Alpine Huts


Exposed Ledges


Rock Scrambling


Steep Terrain


Bush Bashing


River Crossings


Scenic Viewpoints


Well Marked


Drinking Water


Untreated Water


Fishing Spots


Swimming Spots


Overnight Campsites


Trail Running


Horse Riding
Hike Summary
This highlight walk of the Heysen Trail starts from Mount Lofty Summit. Descending the summit, see views over Piccadilly Valley and its orchards and vineyards, before walking past Piccadilly houses. The trail passes through the Scout's Woodhouse Activity Centre and the Stirling Golf Course before entering the forest in Mount George Conservation Park. After passing through the first of two tunnels, the trail passes the Fairy Garden in Deanery Reserve, and follows Cox Creek to Old Bridgewater Mill.
The full Heysen Trail is 1,200km long, from Cape Jervis in the south, to the Flinders Ranges in the north. Bridgewater is 175km from the Cape Jervis trailhead.
The directions are written from Mount Lofty Summit to Bridgewater, but of course the walk could be walked in the opposite direction too.
It's possible to do this walk in other ways:
Start from the upper carpark at the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens, and follow the alternative Heysen Trail down through the Gardens (the Heysen Trail has two routes around Mount Lofty). Or just walk down any of the quiet cool gullies to the lower carpark, then follow the Heysen Trail to the intersection of Sprigg Road and Lambert Road (3).
1km each way.
Begin from Old Bridgewater Mill, and walk in reverse through the tunnel under the railway, through Arbury Park Outdoor School parklands to the Fairy Garden at Deanery Reserve. Return to Old Bridgewater Mill.
1.8km each way.
Begin from Old Bridgewater Mill, and walk in reverse through the tunnel under the railway, through Arbury Park Outdoor School parklands, past the Fairy Garden at Deanery Reserve and into the picnic area at Mount George Conservation Park. Dogs are permitted through all this, including the picnic area. The picnic area is 1.8km one-way from Bridgewater.
2.7km each way.
Optionally, continue on through the forests of Mount George Conservation Park, turning around at Davenport Bridge, which is 2.7km from Bridgewater.
Although this is a one-way hike, public transport can be easily used to avoid returning by the same route, or to avoid using two cars. Catch the Adelaide Metro public transport bus, route 864, from bus stop 46 on Mount Barker Road Summit Road to Crafers, where you can transfer to an 823 bus service to Mount Lofty Summit. The 823 bus only runs 3-4 times a day, so be sure to check out the timetable first.
Getting there
Although this is a one-way hike, public transport can be easily used to avoid returning by the same route, or to avoid using two cars. Catch the Adelaide Metro public transport bus, route 864, from bus stop 46 on Mount Barker Road Summit Road to Crafers, where you can transfer to an 823 bus service to Mount Lofty Summit. The 823 bus only runs 3-4 times a day, so be sure to check out the timetable first.
GPX file courtesy of Walking SA. File may not contain elevation data and may only represent half the length on return hikes.
GPX File
Max elevation: 707 m
Min elevation: 408 m
Total climbing: 146 m
Total descent: -445 m
For more information on this hiking trail, please visit Walking SA