South Australia’s Premier Long-Distance Walk

The Yurrebilla Trail is South Australia’s most celebrated long-distance walking trail, stretching nearly 55 kilometres through the Mount Lofty Ranges from Belair National Park to the outskirts of Norton Summit. Named using the Kaurna word for the Adelaide Hills, the trail traverses some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Adelaide region, passing through deep gorges, open ridgelines, native woodland, and pockets of pristine bushland that have remained largely unchanged for centuries.

The Trail

The Yurrebilla Trail can be walked as a multi-day adventure or tackled in sections as a series of day walks. The route passes through seven conservation parks — Belair, Brownhill Creek, Cleland, Morialta, Black Hill, Anstey Hill, and Horsnell Gully — each with its own distinct character. Highlights include panoramic views from Norton Summit, the dramatic quartzite gorges of Morialta, and the tranquil forests of Cleland Conservation Park. The trail is marked with yellow triangular markers throughout, and several access points along the route allow walkers to enter and exit at convenient locations. Elevation changes are significant, with the trail climbing and descending across multiple ridges and valleys.

Wildlife and Nature

The Mount Lofty Ranges through which the Yurrebilla Trail passes are a biodiversity hotspot, supporting over 200 species of native birds and a rich community of mammals, reptiles, and plants. Koalas, western grey kangaroos, and echidnas are commonly encountered along the trail. The gorge sections provide habitat for powerful owls, peregrine falcons, and yellow-footed rock wallabies. The trail passes through several distinct vegetation communities including stringybark forest, grey box woodland, and riparian corridors lined with river red gums. Spring wildflower displays are exceptional, particularly in the heathland sections near Cleland.

Planning Your Trip

The Yurrebilla Trail is managed by the Department for Environment and Water. Most walkers complete the trail over two to three days, camping at designated sites or using accommodation in nearby towns. The trail is well-marked but requires a reasonable level of fitness due to the cumulative elevation gain. Water is not available along the route, so walkers should carry sufficient supplies. The best walking seasons are autumn and spring, when temperatures are moderate and the bushland is at its most vibrant. Public transport access is available at several points along the trail, making section walks straightforward. Detailed trail maps and notes are available from the Friends of the Heysen Trail or from National Parks South Australia.