Ridge Circuit is a 2.4km, grade 3 hike located in the Mount George Conservation Park, South Australia. The hike should take around 2 hrs to complete.
Hike overview
Behind the high electric fence and seemingly locked gate - it's locked to vehicles, not people - is a dense hidden forest. This 2.4km loop trail packs a punch: the trail follows fire tracks and walking trails to meander to the summit of Mount George and a nearby rocky outcrop with a magnificent lookout with views over Bridgewater to Mount Lofty.
The trail is marked with pine posts and blue arrows, but it's not clearly marked at the start, so follow the map closely to get started. The trails are well maintained and easy to follow. You can't really get too lost anyway as side tracks lead to the 2-metre high electric fence with its 2-metre high locked gates - the only entrance and exit from the trail is at the shed near the main picnic area.
The open Stringybark forest was once typical of the hills here, and is a secluded preservation of native vegetation within an otherwise urbanised and cultivated area.
Any numbers on the captions of the below photos match the numbers used on the map.
Extend the hike by walking along the Heysen Trail:
The main carpark can be accessed by car from the Bridgewater exit on the freeway. The hike can also be accessed by Adelaide Metro public transport bus, route 864, to bus stop 46 on Mount Barker Road, and walking along the Heysen Trail from Bridgewater via the Fairy Garden.
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: 499 m
Min elevation: 365 m
Total climbing: 185 m
Total descent: -185 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
This park was traditionally the land of the Peramangk Peoples. During the 1840s much of the surrounding area was cleared by European settlers for farming and market gardens. Today, due to the conservation efforts of the local community and the region's cool winter conditions, Mount George Conservation Park features a great variety of vegetation and spring flowers.
There are many walking trails to explore in the park, ranging in duration from 15 minutes to 2 hours. A section of the Heysen Trail also passes through the park. The park is divided into two zones. You can walk your dog in the recreation zone, between Mount George Road and Cox Creek, providing you keep it on a lead and under your control at all times.
Suggest an edit
Does this hikes information need updating? Sometimes the route, trail features or access conditions change.
Gear to consider

My 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. Everyone, and every hike, is different, so customise your outdoor kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.Â
The HiiKER app helps you to find 1,000’s of the best bushwalking and hiking adventures, with reviews, photos, and great places to stay. I’m excited to have partnered with HiiKER to offer members of Trail hiking Australia Community an exclusive deal to help you get outdoors with extra confidence with premium mapping, planning and tracking features. Claim your offer here.
Let someone know
Let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to return. Fill in an online trip intentions form to privately send important details about your adventure to your emergency contact. They can then inform emergency services if you don’t return on time.
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.
0 Reviews on “Ridge Circuit (2.4km)”
There is nothing more peaceful than the Great Outdoors, ya?