Riesling Country — Rail Trails, Heritage Towns, and World-Class Wine
| Region | Clare Valley |
| Trails Available | 6 trails |
| Activities | Walking, Cycling |
| Key Areas | Clare, Auburn, Mintaro, Spring Gully, Burra |
| Distance from Adelaide | Approximately 1.5 hours north |
| Accommodation | Camping, mid-range and premium options — See accommodation options |
Australia’s Riesling Capital on Two Wheels and Two Feet
The Clare Valley is South Australia’s heartland of riesling — a compact, beautiful wine region where over thirty cellar doors line a valley of rolling hills, stone villages, and pastoral land that has been farmed since the 1840s. But it is the Riesling Trail that has made Clare famous beyond the wine world: a 35-kilometre sealed cycling and walking trail that follows the route of a former railway from Clare to Auburn, passing directly through the vineyards, past cellar doors, and along one of the most scenic rail trail corridors in Australia. It is the trail that proved a disused railway could become a region’s most popular attraction.
The Clare Valley extends from the historic copper mining town of Burra in the north to Auburn in the south, with the main valley running between gentle ranges that create the microclimate responsible for the region’s distinctive wines. Beyond riesling and shiraz, the valley now produces pinot grigio, malbec, tempranillo, and other alternative varieties, alongside craft breweries, virgin olive oil, capers, pistachios, and artisan food producers who have made the region a gourmet destination. The heritage stone buildings of towns like Mintaro, Sevenhill, and Auburn provide architectural beauty that complements the natural landscape.
The Riesling Trail
The Riesling Trail is one of South Australia’s most celebrated cycling and walking routes — 35 kilometres of sealed path following the disused railway corridor through the heart of the Clare Valley wine region. The gentle gradient of the former rail line makes it accessible to riders of all abilities, while the trail’s direct proximity to cellar doors, cafés, and historic towns ensures that the journey is punctuated by opportunities to taste, eat, and explore. The trail can be ridden end-to-end in a few hours, but most visitors spread it over a leisurely day, stopping at the vineyards that line the route.
• The Riesling Trail — 35 km — Australia’s most famous wine region cycling trail
• Spring Gully Loop – off the Riesling Trail — Scenic loop through Spring Gully’s native bushland
The Rattler Rail Trail
The Rattler Rail Trail adds another dimension to the Clare Valley’s cycling network, following a second historic railway route through the broader valley landscape. Like the Riesling Trail, it uses the gentle gradients of a former rail corridor to create accessible riding through pastoral and wine country — extending the opportunities for cyclists to explore the region beyond the main valley.
• Rattler Rail Trail — Heritage rail trail through the Clare Valley
Multi-Region Trails
The Clare Valley sits along the route of several long-distance trails that connect it to the broader South Australian landscape. The Lavender Federation Trail links the Adelaide Hills through the Barossa to Clare, while the Mawson Trail continues north from the valley towards the Flinders Ranges.
• Lavender Federation Trail — Long-distance walking — Adelaide Hills through Barossa to Clare
• Mawson Trail — Long-distance cycling — Adelaide to Flinders Ranges via Clare
• Kidman Trail — Multi-region trail passing through the Clare Valley
The Clare Valley’s trails are inseparable from its wine — the Riesling Trail runs through the vineyards, past the cellar doors, and alongside the stone walls that define this landscape. Cycling or walking here is to experience one of Australia’s great wine regions at the pace it deserves, with the freedom to stop wherever the view, the vines, or the promise of a glass of riesling demands your attention. It is a region that was made for the trail.