Alligator and Hidden Gorge Loop

The Alligator and Hidden Gorge Loop is a demanding overnight or multi day walk that captures much of what makes Mount Remarkable National Park so distinctive. Over 38 kilometres, the route links the deeply carved creek systems of Alligator and Hidden Gorges with exposed ridgelines and wide coastal outlooks, offering a constantly changing sense of scale and atmosphere. It is a Grade 5 hike that suits experienced walkers who are comfortable with rough terrain, sustained distances, and long days on foot.

The walk typically takes two to three days, depending on pace and how much time you spend exploring the gorges. What stands out is the contrast. You move from shaded, enclosed creek corridors into open country where the land drops away toward the Spencer Gulf, then back again into narrow, rock walled passages where water, ferns, and towering gums shape the experience. It is physically challenging, but the variety keeps it engaging throughout.

Most walkers begin at the Alligator Gorge car park, where a long staircase drops into The Narrows. The temperature shifts almost immediately as you descend, with limited sunlight filtering through the gorge walls. Maidenhair ferns cling to damp rock faces, and the sound of water echoes through the tight space, giving the sense of being briefly removed from the wider landscape above. From here, you can take a short side trip to The Terraces to explore the unusual stepped rock formations, or continue through The Narrows until the gorge opens out beneath old river red gums.

A short climb brings you to Longhill Camp, a well placed option for larger groups. Beyond this point, the walk settles into an easier rhythm along the Kingfisher Track. Emu prints are common in the sandy sections, and wattles line the track, often in flower. You pass Kingfisher Flat and Hidden Camp, both practical alternatives for an overnight stop, with water tanks and drop toilets. Kangaroos and wallaroos are frequently seen grazing nearby, usually unfazed by passing walkers.

From Hidden Camp, the track turns west and enters Hidden Gorge. This section feels more remote and informal, with extended stretches of rock hopping and route finding along the creek bed. Pink quartzite catches the light on the gorge walls, and tall sandstone pillars rise above the narrow floor, creating a strong sense of enclosure. While there is no single defined line through the gorge, the walls guide your movement, and it is generally straightforward to follow the natural flow of the landscape.

As the gorge widens, a clearly marked track climbs steeply to Battery Ridge. A water tank and communications tower sit on the ridgeline, along with several unmarked campsites that are sometimes used by walkers. From here, it is an easy walk of around one and a half kilometres along the ridge to reach Stringers Camp, a designated hike in campground and a common overnight stop.

The second day begins with a gentle descent along the ridgeline toward Mambray Creek. This is an open and rewarding section, with scrub and wattle giving way to broad views across the park and out to the coast. At Mambray Creek, modern toilet facilities make a welcome stop before the track follows the watercourse east through old growth gums and dense fern beds. Wildlife is common in this area, particularly in the early morning.

Further along, the trail reaches the junction of Mambray and Alligator Creeks, marked by a clearing and water tank. A worthwhile side trip from here leads past the historic Scarfes Hut before climbing along a four wheel drive track to Sugar Gum Lookout. From the lookout, the surrounding ranges stretch out in all directions, with stands of sugar gums scattered across the slopes.

Back at the creek junction, the route follows Alligator Creek upstream, crossing it multiple times. Native pines, mossy ground cover, and tall gums frame the walk as the sandstone walls gradually close in again. The return to Hidden Camp marks the start of the final section, retracing the Kingfisher Track back toward Alligator Gorge and completing the loop.