Mount Brown Summit Circuit is a 14.9km, grade 1 hike located in Mount Brown Conservation Park, South Australia. The hike should take around 6 hours to complete.
Hike overview
A circuit hike along the Heysen Trail up to the summit of Mount Brown. The walking trails are over a gradual climb, through woodland with views across farmland and mountains.
The circuit begins by following a fire track from the trailhead at Olive Grove, past Waukarie Falls. The Falls are a very short walk off the trail. When the fire track meets the Heysen Trail, follow the Heysen Trail markers along a long ridge up to the summit of Mount Brown. Midway up the mountain, 3km from the trailhead and 100m off the trail is Bald Hill Viewpoint.
Near the summit, the circuit continues past an optional 1km side trip up to the summit. At the summit there is a lookout tower and interpretive signage. The lookout commemorates Robert Brown who was the naturalist aboard Matthew Flinders' Investigator in 1802. Along this 15km loop trail evidence of a 1km deep canyon formed 600 million years ago can be found.
The circuit hike returns down a long ridge back to the Olive Grove trailhead. Along this trail there is geological evidence of a 1km deep canyon that was formed 600 million years ago.
The trailhead is at Olive Grove, at the end of Richman Valley Road out of Quorn.
The circuit is very well signposted, with yellow distance markers and checkpoints with maps. Download the Mount Brown Conservation Park Summit Hike brochure, or collect it from the trailhead where the Walking Trails Support Group restock the leaflets box. The alternative map, on the Walking Trails Support Group website also has Bald Hill Viewpoint marked.
There are a number of ways to do this hike:
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
Max elevation: 875 m
Min elevation: 403 m
Total climbing: 154 m
Total descent: -577 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.
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
At 964 metres altitude, Mount Brown is one of the highest peaks in the South Flinders Ranges. This former forest reserve is comprised of undulating country with a variety of cover grading to rugged ridges with open woodland and scrub. The lookout at Mount Brown commemorates Robert Brown, who was the naturalist aboard Matthew Flinders' Investigator, the first ship to circumnavigate Australia. Along the 15km loop walking trail there is evidence of a 1km deep canyon formed 600 million years ago.
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.
3 Reviews on “Mount Brown Summit Circuit Hike (14.9km)”
It’s so peaceful.