Length: 4.7km
Duration: 2hrs
Grade: 4
Style: Circuit
Start: Rockdale Hill Hike, Horsnell Gully
End: Rockdale Hill Hike, Horsnell Gully

Location: Horsnell Gully and Giles Conservation Parks
Closest Town:
Distance from CBD: 12.0 km
State: SA
Latitude: -34.93015403
Longitude: 138.702365

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Horsnell Gully and Giles Conservation Parks...

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Main Valley and Rockdale Hill Circuit is a 4.7km, grade 4 circuit hike, located in Horsnell Gully and Giles, South Australia. The hike should take approximately 2hrs to complete.

Hike Summary

This hike is a hidden gem in the Adelaide Hills close to Adelaide. The circuit trail is 4.7km return, and takes about 2 hours. There is some single track walking trail, fire tracks, forested valleys and some steep trail sections.

The section at the end of Main Valley up on to the fire tracks on Rockdale Hill is very steep with some loose rocks, and involves walking up a waterfall. If walking clockwise, when you reach the waterfall you need to walk down it, and pick up the trail again at the bottom.

alk beneath majestic river red gums and blue gums to the waterfall. Keep an eye out for koalas in the tree tops or listen for sounds of southern brown bandicoots foraging in the undergrowth.

The trail on Rockdale Hill, and leading to it from a clockwise direction, is mainly fire track.

Near the carpark there are 10 numbered posts marking sites of interest, view info about each on the Friends of Black Hill and Morialta's website.

There are two roads to access the park:

The park is located near the end of Horsnells Gully Road. The road seems to end at a quarry entrance (no entry), but near the quarry gate there is a small road to the right, with signs and a gate for Horsnell Gully Conservation Park. The road leads to a carpark. Please note that the gate is closed at sunset.

About the region

Take a bushwalk through the steep gullies in the picturesque Adelaide Hills to discover the history of Horsnell Gully and Giles Conservation Parks. Both the Heysen and Yurrebilla trails wind their way through these parks, offering stunning views of the surrounding region.

Named after the state Governor's coachmen, John Horsnell, relics and reminders of the Horsnell family property still remain. Along the signposted walking trails, you will find the remains of a large homestead, including the coaching sheds, stable and cowsheds. The original garden of the Horsnell property is located at the start of the walking trail, marked by elm trees, plum trees and orange trees.

There is an extensive network of trails within both parks, with two main hiking loops in Horsnell Gully Conservation Park.

Getting there

There are two roads to access the park:

via Old Norton Summit Road, turn up Horsnells Gully Road, or
from the top of the Parade, follow Coach Road, Bishop Street and Haven Road. Haven Road is a steep dirt road.

GPX file courtesy of Walking SA. File may not contain elevation data and may only represent half the length on return hikes.