Grade 1

Mount Sonder Hike (16km)

West MacDonnell National Park

Northern Territory

16km

6 hrs

Grade 4

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Hike at a Glance

Quick overview: Explore the awe-inspiring 16km Mount Sonder hike on the Larapinta Trail, just outside Alice Springs, Australia. This Grade 4 trail offers a challenging yet rewarding uphill trek, featuring stunning 360-degree views and notable landmarks such as the Hilltop Lookout. Start your journey at the easily accessible Redbank Gorge Day Use Area and make sure to stop by the Mount Sonder lookout on Namatjira Drive for a vista you won't forget.

Max elevation: 1344m

Min elevation: 680m

Total Ascent: 882m

Essential information


Hike overview


Track grade


Grade 4 (Hard) - Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.

Practical information


Walk map and GPX file

Mount Sonder Hike (16km)


Explore safely


Planning this hike? Most incidents develop before you even start. Safe outcomes depend on how navigation, hydration, environment, load and judgement work together. Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Hiking Safety Systems Foundations. Then use the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.

Leave a trip plan


Register your plans

Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.

Planning checklists


Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.

Getting there


Getting to the trailhead: West MacDonnell National Park.

Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.

Get there with Google Maps

Accommodation nearby


Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.

Nearby towns: Alice Springs, Glen Helen, Hermannsburg

About the region


Similar walks nearby


Looking for more walks in or near West MacDonnell National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.

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Mount Sonder Hike (16km)


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Acknowledgement of Country

Mount sonder hike (16km) trail hiking australia

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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