A Scenic Side Trip Through the Skilly Hills and Wine Country of the Clare Valley
| Activity | Walking and Cycling |
| Distance | 14.5 to 16 kilometres (loop) |
| Duration | Approximately 3.5 hours walking / 2 hours cycling |
| Region | Clare Valley |
| Accommodation | Camping, mid-range and premium options — See accommodation options |
| Start Point | College Rd, Sevenhill SA 5453 (off the Riesling Trail) |
| End Point | Riesling Trail, Spring Farm SA 5453 |
| Surface | Mix of sealed and unsealed road |
| Trail Heritage | Former Adelaide–Spalding railway line, converted 1994 |
Overview
The Riesling Trail is one of South Australia’s most beloved cycling and walking paths — a 35-kilometre rail trail that follows the old Adelaide–Spalding railway line through the heart of the Clare Valley wine region. The Spring Gully Loop is a scenic 16-kilometre side trip that branches off the main trail near Sevenhill, heads west through the picturesque Skilly Hills, and loops south through Spring Gully Conservation Park before returning via Spring Gully Road and the Sevenhill Hotel.
This is a ride (or walk) that combines the best of the Clare Valley’s landscapes — rolling vineyard country, quiet rural roads, pockets of native bush, and the gentle hills that frame the valley to the west. It passes through some of the region’s most attractive scenery, with vineyards and olive groves on one side and native woodland on the other, and it finishes at the Sevenhill Hotel, a classic country pub that provides the perfect excuse to stop for a cold drink.
The Route
Through the Skilly Hills
The loop departs the Riesling Trail near Sevenhill, one of the valley’s most historic townships and home to the Jesuit-founded Sevenhill Cellars, which has been making wine since 1851. The route heads west along Wendouree Road, following the scenic tourist drive through the Skilly Hills — a rolling landscape of small farms, vineyards, and patches of native bush that sits between the main valley floor and the ranges to the west.
The roads through the Skilly Hills are quiet and lightly trafficked, making them ideal for cycling. The gentle undulations provide just enough climbing to work the legs without being exhausting, and the views across the valley are consistently beautiful — rows of vines stretching to the east, the ranges rising to the west, and the clear, dry air of the Clare Valley giving everything a crisp, luminous quality.
Spring Gully Conservation Park
The southern leg of the loop passes through Spring Gully Conservation Park, a pocket of native vegetation that preserves stringybark woodland and native grassland. The park provides a welcome contrast to the agricultural landscape, with birdsong replacing the quiet of the vineyards and the shade of mature eucalyptus offering relief on warm days. In spring, the park’s understory is dotted with wildflowers and native orchids.
The Riesling Trail
The Spring Gully Loop is best experienced as an extension of a ride along the Riesling Trail itself. The main trail runs from Auburn in the south to Clare in the north, passing through Watervale, Sevenhill, and Penwortham along the way. Built on the former Adelaide–Spalding railway line (operational from the 1860s until its conversion in 1994), the Riesling Trail was the first rail trail in South Australia. Its flat, crushed-rock surface and gentle gradients make it accessible to riders and walkers of all abilities.
Planning Your Ride
The Clare Valley is located approximately 130 kilometres north of Adelaide, about a 90-minute drive. The Spring Gully Loop is best accessed from the Riesling Trail near Sevenhill. Bike hire is available in Clare and Auburn. The loop follows public roads, so helmets are mandatory for cyclists and awareness of vehicle traffic is important, though the roads are generally quiet. Carry water and sun protection. The best time to ride is autumn (March–May), when the vines turn golden and the temperatures are ideal, and spring (September–November), when the conservation park’s wildflowers bloom.
The Spring Gully Loop adds depth and variety to any Riesling Trail ride. It takes you off the rail trail and into the rolling wine country of the Skilly Hills, through pockets of native bush, and back to a pub that has been welcoming travellers for generations. It is the Clare Valley at its most peaceful and most beautiful.
Where to Stay
Planning an overnight trip? See our Clare Valley Accommodation Guide for the best places to stay near this trail.