Heysen Trail - Mt Lofty Circuit is a 7.5km, grade 3 hike located in the Cleland Conservation Park, South Australia. The hike should take around 3 hrs to complete.
Hike summary
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
Gear you might need
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Location
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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.
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.
Gallery
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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.