City of Salisbury
| Location | City of Salisbury, northern Adelaide |
| Start Point | Carisbrooke Park, Main North Road, Salisbury |
| End Point | Port Wakefield Road, Bolivar |
| Distance | 16.5 km |
| Time | 1 day (walking) / 4 hours (cycling) |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Activity | Walking, Cycling |
| Region | Adelaide & Adelaide Hills |
| Accommodation | Camping, mid-range and premium options — See accommodation options |
| Key Feature | Flat all-weather trail following Little Para River through wetlands |
Following the Little Para Through Adelaide’s Northern Suburbs
The Little Para River Trail is the most significant trail in the City of Salisbury — a predominantly flat, all-weather bitumen path that follows the Little Para River for 16.5 kilometres through Adelaide’s northern suburbs, connecting Carisbrooke Park near Main North Road to Port Wakefield Road at Bolivar. Along the way, it passes through suburban parks, alongside wetlands, and around Globe Derby Park, linking with the Dry Creek Trail to create a broader network of off-road paths that allow cyclists and walkers to travel significant distances without encountering traffic.
The trail demonstrates how urban river corridors can be transformed into valuable recreational assets. The Little Para River, which flows from the Adelaide Hills through Salisbury and Para Hills to the coast, has been the focus of significant investment in water management, wetland restoration, and trail development by the City of Salisbury. The result is a linear park that serves commuters, recreational cyclists, walkers, and nature enthusiasts alike — a green corridor through an urban landscape.
The Trail
The predominantly flat route follows the river corridor on a sealed all-weather surface suitable for cycling, walking, and pram access. A short on-road detour at Porter Street is the only interruption to the off-road experience. The trail passes through Parabanks, crosses under Port Wakefield Road at Bolivar, and continues west alongside the White Road Wetlands and around Globe Derby Park before linking with the Dry Creek Trail.
Multiple easy access points allow users to join the trail at convenient locations — Carisbrooke Reserve, the park opposite the Old Spot Hotel, Parabanks Shopping Centre, and Hausler Reserve at the corner of Kings Road and Greentree Boulevard in Parafield Gardens. This accessibility makes the trail as useful for short neighbourhood walks as it is for end-to-end cycling adventures.
Planning Your Trip
The trail is flat, sealed, and accessible to all fitness levels. The all-weather surface means the trail is usable year-round. Cyclists, walkers, and pram users share the path — please observe standard trail etiquette. The trail connects with the Dry Creek Trail at its western end, enabling longer outings through Adelaide’s northern trail network. A detailed trail brochure is available from the City of Salisbury.
The Little Para River Trail is urban trail infrastructure at its best — a flat, sealed corridor that follows a river through suburban parks and wetlands, connecting communities and creating space for exercise, commuting, and quiet enjoyment of the natural world within the city. It is a reminder that some of the most valuable trails are the ones you can walk from your front door.
Where to Stay
Planning an overnight trip? See our Adelaide Hills Accommodation Guide for the best places to stay near this trail.