Hike at a Glance
Max elevation: 488m
Min elevation: 114m
Total Ascent: 666m
Hike overview
Morialta to River Torrens is a 13 km, grade 4 hike in Black Hill Conservation Park, South Australia. This hike, which should take around 4 hours to complete, is the fifth section of the Yurrebilla Trail. The trail winds through the scenic landscapes of Black Hill Conservation Park and Ambers Gully, offering a mix of challenging terrains and picturesque views.
As part of the 54 km Yurrebilla Trail, this section provides an engaging experience for hikers. The full Yurrebilla Trail can be walked in its entirety in 3 to 5 days and is divided into one full-day and four half-day sections. The trail features a variety of paths, from narrow single-person tracks to wider vehicle fire tracks, and it showcases many of the Adelaide Hills' top attractions. Highlights along the trail include Waterfall Gully, the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens, Mount Lofty Summit, and Cleland Wildlife Park. Additionally, the trail connects to charming Hills towns such as Summertown, Crafers, and Norton Summit, as well as numerous wineries, pubs, and other local attractions.
This section promises a rewarding and scenic hike through some of South Australia's most captivating natural environments.
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
Max elevation: 488 m
Min elevation: 114 m
Total climbing: 666 m
Total descent: -891 m
GPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.
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
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: Black Hill Conservation Park.
That trailhead is in Moriatta Conservation Park, on route to Deep View Lookout. It is roughly a 27-minute drive from Adelaide via Kensington Road. The distance is approximately 13 kilometers. You can find directions on Google Maps.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
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: Adelaide, Campbelltown, Dernancourt, Glynde, Golden Grove, Gumeracha, Houghton, Kensington Gardens, Newton, Norton Summit, Paradise, Tea Tree Gully
About the region
Black Hill Conservation Park, formerly known as Black Hill National Park, is a protected area in South Australia, located approximately 10 kilometres northeast of Adelaide. This conservation park is set in a rugged bush environment with a prominent peak, bounded by steep ridges on the southern slopes.
Visitors can enjoy the undulating hills, rugged ridges, and diverse native scenery along the park's extensive network of walking trails. In spring, the park showcases a stunning array of native flowers, including many delicate and colorful orchid species. A must-see feature is the landscaped Wildflower Garden, which dates back to the late 1940s.
Covering an area of 684 hectares, Black Hill Conservation Park is named after the low sheoaks, whose foliage gradually matures to a dark rusty, almost black color as summer progresses. From the Adelaide Plains, these hills appear black, giving the park its distinctive name.
While Black Hill can be visited year-round, it is best appreciated from March to November. The summer months from December to February can be very hot, so walkers should be prepared for high temperatures.
The area is part of the traditional lands of the Kaurna people, who used it for hunting, gathering, and obtaining wood for fire and shelter during their seasonal relocation from the coast. Fire was one of their most important tools, particularly in fire management practices that encouraged vegetation regrowth. The seasonal use of Black Hill allowed game populations to recover, maintaining a relatively steady food supply.
Similar walks nearby
Looking for more walks in or near Black Hill Conservation Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
Gallery
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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.





