Rail Trails, Mountain Bike Parks, and Long-Distance Routes Across South Australia
| Activity | Cycling & Mountain Biking |
| Trails Available | 30 cycling trails |
| Difficulty Range | Easy to Difficult |
| Regions | Adelaide & Adelaide Hills, Barossa, Clare Valley, Fleurieu Peninsula, Flinders Ranges |
| Highlights | Riesling Trail, Eagle Mountain Bike Park, Mawson Trail, Jack Bobridge Track |
From Wine Region Rail Trails to World-Class Mountain Biking
South Australia’s cycling trails span the full spectrum of two-wheeled adventure — from the sealed, family-friendly rail trails that wind through the state’s famous wine regions, to the purpose-built mountain bike parks that deliver technical singletrack within a short ride of the Adelaide CBD, to the long-distance touring routes that cross hundreds of kilometres of ranges and outback. With around thirty dedicated cycling trails across the state, riders of every ability and ambition will find routes that match their skills and exceed their expectations.
The state’s geography creates natural cycling corridors. The former railway lines that once connected rural towns have been converted into some of Australia’s most celebrated rail trails — the Riesling Trail through the Clare Valley wine region is the most famous, but the Jack Bobridge Track through the Barossa, the Rattler Rail Trail, and the Stuart O’Grady Bikeway all offer distinctive riding experiences. In the Adelaide Hills, Eagle Mountain Bike Park provides over 22 kilometres of purpose-built trails, while the Sturt Gorge trail network extends mountain biking across the city’s southern fringe. For the truly ambitious, the Mawson Trail stretches from Adelaide to the Flinders Ranges.
Wine Region Rail Trails
South Australia’s wine regions and its cycling trails are inseparable. The Riesling Trail — 35 kilometres of sealed path following the former Clare Valley railway — passes directly through vineyards and past cellar doors, making it one of the most enjoyable rides in Australia. The Jack Bobridge Track through the Barossa Valley offers a similar experience through one of the world’s great wine landscapes. These trails prove that the gentlest gradient — a former rail line — can create the most satisfying cycling.
• The Riesling Trail — 35 km — Australia’s most famous wine region cycling trail
• Spring Gully Loop — Scenic loop off the Riesling Trail
• Rattler Rail Trail — Heritage rail trail through the Clare Valley
• Jack Bobridge Track & The Barossa Trail — Sealed rail trail through the Barossa Valley
• The Barossa Trail — Tanunda to Angaston vineyard cycling
• The Barossa Trail – Barossa Valley — Full Barossa Valley cycling experience
Mountain Biking — Eagle Mountain Bike Park
Eagle Mountain Bike Park is Adelaide’s premier mountain biking destination — located just twelve kilometres from the CBD in the Adelaide Hills foothills, with over 22 kilometres of designated trails ranging from beginner cross-country loops to difficult downhill runs. The park includes a skills development area, jumps park, and trials area, making it one of Australia’s most comprehensive and accessible urban mountain bike facilities.
• Blue Gums — Eagle MTB Park — Intermediate singletrack
• Jammin — Eagle MTB Park — Flowing intermediate trail
• Overlocker — 1.1 km — Technical intermediate singletrack
• Valley Trail — Eagle MTB Park — Key connector trail
Mountain Biking — Sturt Gorge & Craigburn Farm
The Sturt Gorge Recreation Park’s Craigburn Farm extension provides a second major mountain biking network on Adelaide’s southern fringe. These trails wind through recovering native woodland and across ancient geological formations, including 800-million-year-old glacial rock, offering intermediate riding with a distinctive character.
• Gunners Run — Sturt Gorge — Intermediate mountain biking
• Sidewinder — 2.8 km — Ancient geology at Craigburn Farm
• Sticks and Stones — Craigburn Farm — Rocky intermediate trail
• Tapa Turrungka Trail — Ridge-top riding above the gorge
• Valley Road Trail — 2.5 km — Easy valley route
Urban Cycling — Linear Park Trails
Adelaide’s network of linear park trails follows the city’s rivers and creeks from the hills to the sea, creating long-distance cycling corridors through the urban landscape. These sealed shared-use paths are ideal for commuting, fitness riding, and family outings.
• River Torrens Linear Park Trail — 30+ km — Adelaide’s premier riverside cycling trail
• Sturt River Linear Park — Hills to sea suburban greenway
• Stuart O’Grady Bikeway — Named for Adelaide’s cycling champion
• Dry Creek Trail — Northern suburbs cycling corridor
• Little Para River Trail — Riverside trail through northern Adelaide
• Gawler Rivers Path — Gawler — Riverside trail at Adelaide’s northern edge
Long-Distance Cycling
For distance riders, the Mawson Trail stretches from Adelaide through the Barossa and Clare Valley to the Flinders Ranges, following a mix of back roads, fire trails, and purpose-built paths through some of South Australia’s most spectacular landscape. The Kidman Trail and Lavender Federation Trail also offer extended cycling routes.
• Mawson Trail — Adelaide to Flinders Ranges — Long-distance touring
• Lavender Federation Trail — Adelaide Hills through Barossa to Clare
• Kidman Trail — Multi-region long-distance route
Cycling in South Australia ranges from the gentle pleasure of rolling through vineyard country on a sealed rail trail to the technical challenge of singletrack in native bushland, from riverside commuting paths to multi-day touring routes that cross the ranges. Whatever your pace and whatever your preference, the state’s cycling trails lead through landscapes that reward every pedal stroke.