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.

Length:

16km

Duration:

6 hrs

Grade:

Style:

Return

Max elevation: 1344m

Min elevation: 680m

Total Ascent: 882m

Start: Redbank Gorge

End: Redbank Gorge

West MacDonnell National Park

Northern Territory

Nearby town: Alice Springs

From state capital: 1,630km

Latitude: -23.577506

Longitude: 132.5187770433332

Overview

Map

Gallery

Similar

Region

Weather

4,908 views

Important info

This is a remote area trail. Help takes time to organise and arrive. Carry an PLB or satellite phone. Carry enough water and protect yourself from the sun.

Hike overview

The hike to the summit of Mount Sonder is a popular day walk for locals and visitors alike because of its easy access, spectacular 360 views and straight forward up and down mountain walk. Note that this is the entire Section 12 walk and one of the most enjoyable of the Larapinta Trail.

The Mount Sonder hike is an uphill one, and the climb along the Larapinta trail is about 15 kilometres long. The Larapinta Trail stretches from Alice Springs to Mount Sonder. The section between Redbank Gorge and Mount Sonder takes around five hours to complete (up and down) and is considered by most to be a challenging albeit rewarding hike.

Starting at Redbank Gorge, the trail is easily accessible from the Redbank Gorge Day Use Area. On the Larapinta Trail, you will find the Hilltop Lookout, where you can have a good view of Mount Sonder. You can also stop by the Mount Sonder lookout on Namatjira Drive.

Photo: Mount Sonder Tim Fischer

Tips

The best time to walk the trail ( i.e. coolest weather) is between May and August.
This is a remote area trail. Help takes time to organise and arrive
Carry an PLB or satellite phone
Carry enough water and protect yourself from the sun
Temperatures can rise to the high forties in summer

Trail features

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.

Walk map and GPX file
Mount Sonder Hike (16km)

Total distance: 15265 m
Max elevation: 1344 m
Min elevation: 680 m
Total climbing: 882 m
Total descent: -882 m

Gallery

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Getting there

Getting to the trailhead: West MacDonnell National Park.

Mount Sonder is in the West MacDonnell National Park, Tjoritja. Access to Mount Sonder is via Redbank Gorge, 156km west of Alice Springs along Larapinta & Namatjira Drive, followed by 5km along the unsealed, high clearance track.

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

Get there with Google Maps

About the region

Tjoritja West MacDonnell National Park stretches for 161 kilometres west of Alice Springs. Explore and appreciate the scenic beauty and history of the area on foot, swim in a waterhole, or pitch a tent for a longer stay. Take a dip in the cold waters of one the park's permanent water holes. The larger water holes include Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, Redbank Gorge and Glen Helen Gorge.

There are numerous marked walking tracks ranging from leisurely to adventurous. The 223 kilometre Larapinta Trail stretches through the park and offers extended and overnight bushwalks for fit, experienced and well prepared walkers. The park encompasses an ancient landscape sculpted over time by climatic elements. It is also a refuge for rare and threatened plants as well as wildlife, including the uncommon bird species such as the Peregrine Falcon.

Features of the landscape are significant to the Arrernte people, including the Ochre Pits that have long been a quarry for important ochre pigments. There are plenty of places to camp in the park, with varied access and facilities. Camping fees apply and overnight visitors should bring their own water supplies. Commercial facilities are available at Glen Helen Resort.

Find a place to stay

Find Accommodation

Wondering where to stay near this hike? Find accommodation close to the trailhead — hotels, cabins and campgrounds nearby. Click the button to view the interactive map.

Closest towns to this walk: Alice Springs, Glen Helen, Hermannsburg

Let someone know

Heading out? Fill in a trip intentions form so someone knows your plans. If things go wrong, they can raise the alarm fast, giving you peace of mind on the trail.

Similar walks nearby

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

Explore safe

Plan ahead and hike safely! Carry enough water, pack layers for changing conditions, and bring safety gear like a torch, PLB, and reliable communication device. Check official sources for trail updates, closures, and access requirements, and review local weather and bushfire advice. Most importantly, share your plans with someone before you go. Being prepared makes for a safer and more enjoyable hike! Stay Safe, Explore More, and Always #ExploreSafe.

Packing checklists

What you carry in your pack depends on factors like weather, terrain, and your adventure type. Not sure what to bring? My free planning, food, and packing checklists are a great starting point, covering day hikes, overnight trips, and multi-day adventures. Use them to customise your kit and always prioritise safety.

Reviews
Mount Sonder Hike (16km)

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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.

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

February 25, 2025