The Nature Trail - Mt Lofty Botanical Gardens (0.8km), Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, South Australia

The Nature Trail - Mt Lofty Botanical Gardens is a 800m, grade 3 hike located in the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, South Australia. The hike should take around 40 mins to complete.

Length: 800m

Duration: 40 mins

Grade: 3

Style: One way

Start: Heysen Trail

End: Heysen Trail

Location: Mount Lofty Botanic Garden

Closest town: Crafers

South Australia

From state capital: 18.7km

Longitude: 138.716873

Latitude: -34.98366896

Hike summary

A popular walking trail winding through a seven hectare area of natural scrub in the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens.

Native plants and animals on the trail vary with the season and the bird life is truly remarkable.

The trail takes about an hour to walk and can be started at either end.

The main tree of the Piccadilly Valley is the Messmate stringybark, Eucalyptus obliqua. At the turn of the century the whole valley was clear-felled with the exception of a few individual trees. The timber was harvested for use in the copper mines at Kanmantoo and as firewood in the factories of Adelaide. Since then, some parts of the valley have regenerated and, with the exception of competition from weeds and interruption by fire, a second generation forest has grown.

The trail is an official alternative route for the Heysen Trail. It is 850m long and drops about 100m, very steeply in some places.

Ten points of interest are marked along the trail. Follow along with the Nature Trail brochure.

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

Total distance: 745 m
Max elevation: 629 m
Min elevation: 527 m
Total climbing: 106 m
Total descent: -4 m

Download file: The-Nature-Trail-Mt-Lofty-Botanical-Gardens.gpx

For more information on this hiking trail, please visit Walking SA

Gear you might need

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About the region

Put on your walking shoes, pack your camera and get ready to explore! Whether you’re out for a leisurely stroll or a more vigorous trek, there’s always something new to discover at Mount Lofty Botanic Garden. Meander along the multitude of paths that sprawl across 97 hectares – with a surprise awaiting you around every corner. Immerse yourself in the spectacular colour, rich aromas and amazing diversity.

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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.

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