Heysen Trail - Mt Lofty Circuit is a 7.5km, grade 3 hike located in Cleland Conservation Park, South Australia. The hike should take around 3 hours to complete.
Hike overview
Experience a Heysen Trail highlight on this 7.5km loop hike. The hike includes the summit of Mount Lofty, quaint cottages and small-scale farming in Piccadilly Valley, a walk through the Mount Lofty Botanical Gardens, and the stringybark forests of Cleland Conservation Park.
This directions commence at Mount Lofty Summit, and take a clockwise direction. Alternate start spots include the Mount Lofty Botanical Gardens (top or bottom car parks).
There are Heysen Trail markers along the entire route, which makes it easy to follow.
The carpark at Mount Lofty Summit can be closed at times, but the trail is still easily accessible, with some parking available on Summit Road.
The Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens open at 8:30am Monday to Friday, and 10am other days. It closes at 4pm Monday to Friday, 5pm weekends and public holidays (6pm on weekends during daylight savings). If the botanic gardens were closed there would be no way to complete this section of the hike.
This hike can be easily accessed by public transport bus, at bus stop 25 Summit Road, or bus stop 26 at Mount Lofty Summit, on the 823 Adelaide Metro bus service.
Route and GPX file
Max elevation: 725 m
Min elevation: 503 m
Total climbing: 378 m
Total descent: -374 m
For more information on this hiking trail, please visit Walking SA
Trail location
Sorry, no records were found. Please adjust your search criteria and try again.
Sorry, unable to load the Maps API.
Getting there
This hike can be easily accessed by public transport bus, at bus stop 25 Summit Road, or bus stop 26 at Mount Lofty Summit, on the 823 Adelaide Metro bus service.
GPX file courtesy of Walking SA. File may not contain elevation data and may only represent half the length on return hikes.
Gallery
If you have any photos from this hike and are happy to share them, please upload your .jpg files here.
Please note: Uploading photos does not transfer ownership of copyright away from you. If requested, you will be credited for any photos you provide and can ask they be deleted at any time.
About the region
Cleland Conservation Park is a protected area located in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia about 22 kilometres south-east of the Adelaide city centre.
Similar trails nearby
Explore Safe
While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.
Let someone know
Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.
Gear to consider
My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.Â
Suggest an edit
Does this hikes information need updating? Sometimes the route, trail features or access conditions change.
Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.