Melrose Nature Circuit (2.6km), Mount Remarkable National Park, South Australia

Melrose Nature Circuit is a 2.6km, grade 3 hike located in the Mount Remarkable National Park, South Australia. The hike should take around 1.5 hrs to complete.

Length: 2.6km

Duration: 1.5 hrs

Grade: 3

Style: Circuit

Start: Heysen

End: Heysen

Location: Mount Remarkable National Park

Closest town: Melrose

South Australia

From state capital: 268km

Longitude: 138.18065

Latitude: -32.82427403

Hike summary

Enjoy a walk through the foothills of Mount Remarkable on the Melrose Nature Hike. The trail visits Cathedral Rock, where there is a picnic area.

The trail network is shared with mountain bikers. The trail begins from the swingbridge near the caravan park, at the end of Joes Road.

At first the trail seems as if it is not well sign-posted, but actually it is, it's just that the mountain bike trails are so well sign-posted they seem to dominate. The Melrose Nature Hike is signposted by small metal hiking icons, and with the help of a few old short yellow arrow signs. Generally you can follow the mountain bike signs for the Farmers Freewheeling Run Track. The Melrose Nature Hike isn't marked on the good mountain bike trail maps.

There is an optional sidetrip to Melrose Mine and Bald Hill Lookout.

The official maps on the signs at the trailhead have the section between the Brewery Street Trailhead and the swingbridge masked out. This former trail used to be on the northern side of the river. However there is a new walking and cycling trail along the southern side of the river, which passes through the stick-fence gate near Brewery Street.

The recommended walk time is 3 hours, but the trail could be completed in 1.5 hours to 3 hours.

GPX file courtesy of Walking SA. File may not contain elevation data and may only represent half the length on return hikes.

Route and GPX file

Total distance: 5220 m
Max elevation: 493 m
Min elevation: 398 m
Total climbing: 64 m
Total descent: -30 m

Download file: Melrose-Nature-Hike.gpx

For more information on this hiking trail, please visit Walking SA

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About the region

Within easy reach of Adelaide, Mount Remarkable National Park is an ideal place to take the family. There’s lots of diverse wildlife and campgrounds with good facilities. The park is a popular destination for bushwalking, with trails for all ages and abilities. There are some incredible views to be had – the 960m high Mount Remarkable Summit presides over the Willochra Plain and looks out to the Spencer Gulf. The Willowie Forest area offers a network of mountain biking and walking trails that meander through foothills of the Mount Remarkable Range.

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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.

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