Yurrebilla Trail Hike (54km)

The Yurrebilla Trail is a walking trail that commences to the east of the Adelaide city centre and passes through the Mount Lofty Ranges in the Adelaide Hills area of Adelaide, South Australia. The name probably derives from the Kaurna name Yuridla, meaning "two ears," which refers to the peaks of Mount Lofty and Mount Bonython; the same word that gave rise to the naming of Uraidla.

The trail is 54 km long and runs from Belair railway station (Belair National Park) in the south to the River Torrens at Ambers Gully in the north. Mostly traversing the hills face, it also passes through Cleland National Park and the upper section of Horsnell Gully Conservation Park, as well as Giles, Morialta, and Black Hill Conservation Parks, and scales the summit of Mount Lofty. Much of the trail consists of old footpads, fire tracks, road reserves, and roads rebadged, with the trail marked along them, linking to form a coherent trail from north to south along with newly created sections. Panoramic views of the city and Adelaide Plains are to be had from every section. It was officially opened on 2 September 2003.

The Yurrebilla Trail offers a diverse hiking experience, ranging from narrow single-person tracks to wider vehicle fire tracks. It passes many of the Adelaide Hills' top tourist attractions, including Waterfall Gully, the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens, Mount Lofty Summit, and Cleland Wildlife Park. Additionally, the trail connects to picturesque Hills towns such as Summertown, Crafers, and Norton Summit, as well as various wineries, pubs, and other local attractions.

The trail is divided into one full-day and four half-day sections:

Section 1: Belair National Park to Eagle on the Hill
A 17.5km, grade 4 hike in the Belair National Park, South Australia. The section should take around 5 hrs to complete.
This section of the Yurrebilla Trail on the edge of Belair National Park, Brownhill Creek, and the open grassy hills and ridgetops of Waite Conservation Reserve.

Section 2: Eagle on the Hill to Summertown
A 7km, grade 4 hike in the Cleland Conservation Park, South Australia. The section should take around 3.5 hrs to complete.
This section of the Yurrebilla Trail takes in trails and tracks of Cleland National Park. Plenty of hills, and winding forest tracks.

Section 3: Summertown to Norton Summit
A 9km, grade 4 hike in the Horsnell Gully Conservation Park, Giles Conservation Park, South Australia. The section should take around 4 hrs to complete. This section of the Yurrebilla Trail takes in the koala haven of Horsnell Gully, with its old stone ruin cottages, and includes some of the Heysen Trail.

Section 4: Norton Summit to Morialta
A 7.5km, grade 4 hike in the Morialta Conservation Park, South Australia. The section should take around 3.5 hrs to complete.
This section of the Yurrebilla Trail takes in old Morialta Barns complex, and the creeks and waterfalls in Morialta Conservation Park.

Section 5: Morialta to River Torrens, Yurrebilla Trail
A 13km, grade 4 hike in the Black Hill Conservation Park, South Australia. The section should take around 4 hrs to complete.
This section of the Yurrebilla Trail takes in Black Hill Conservation Park and Ambers Gully.

This trail provides an immersive experience through some of South Australia's most stunning natural landscapes and vibrant communities.