Do them separately or as a longer walk – it's a two-for-one deal in the Mount Lofty Ranges.
Cleland Conservation Park, nestled in the Mount Lofty Ranges, hosts a labyrinth of walking trails. Only 15 minutes from Adelaide CBD, the North Cleland trailheads lead to short, scenic walks suitable for all abilities.
Woolshed Gully loop
This 6km loop starts from Waterfall Gully Road, and took my son and I a leisurely two hours. The trail is signposted on the left of the road; there is limited parking across by an abandoned shed.
Setting out, the wide gravel track runs alongside the creek, past some brick ruins once owned by Sir Samuel Davenport, before taking a gentle incline through open woodland. As we take a short break, we find a koala skeleton and spot our first kangaroo.
After 1.5km, the trail becomes steep and turns to the left. The surface is loose and rocky here and can be slippery. We enjoy misty panoramic views across Woolshed and Waterfall Gullies, and the many koalas and kangaroos as we hike along the ridge. Around 3km in, a left turn onto Long Ridge Tracks heads toward Sugarloaf Hill and the short 200m walk to the Lookout is well worth it for stunning city views. Returning down the hill, a sharp right joins the Chambers Hike trail.
A gentle decline on the narrow track reaches a signpost – 2km to Waterfall Gully Road. As the track descends through casuarinas and grass trees, a short section with a very narrow ledge makes me nervous walking with my 6-year-old.
At the bottom, past the gate and map, the Chambers Gully track heads to the right to the road. This 1km section parallels the creek before rejoining Waterfall Gully Road at Chambers Gully car park; follow a narrow pedestrian track for 15 minutes walk back to the car.
Chambers Gully and Bartril Spur walk
Begin this 5km walk at Chambers Gully car park, 1.5km along Waterfall Gully Road. There is parking here, although weekends can get busy. The first part of this walk tracks 1km along a wide bitumen road, which allows cars, before a short section on gravel.
At Gate 9, the track continues straight on Chambers Gully trail, shadowing the creek on the left before passing under an imposing rocky outcrop on the right and narrowing slightly. After another 1km, the trail continues as the Bartril Spur. It then crosses the creek and begins a gradual climb. The creek – now on the right – begins to widen into a deep valley.
At Emergency Post 48, a sharp left leads to the Kirrang Track, which ascends steeply and zigzags back on itself. After this steep but short section, another left leads to the Gunbower Track. To the left is a sneaky peek of the city between two hillsides. The track descends into the creek valley, before rising to the right and rejoining Chambers Gully. Here I meet another koala – the sleepy marsupials seem to be marking my major turns on this trail.
Following Chambers Gully track to the left, Greenhill Road is on the right. I choose to take the short Kilto Loop which rises steeply right toward the road before returning to Chambers Gully trail. This added some additional cardio to my hike, and the views of Mount Lofty and Sugarloaf hill on the return were worth the short detour.
Rejoining the Chambers Gully, the trail descends rapidly to the right on a loose surface, with the Bartril Spur track visible to the left. Retrace your steps for the final 1.5km or so to the car park. This loop took 1.5 hours to complete and could also be combined with the Woolshed Gully trail for a longer hike of around 3 hours.
Need to know
Cleland Conservation Park is 22km south east of Adelaide via the Mount Lofty Summit Road and Waterfall Gully Road. There is public transport from the CBD. For more info click here.
Words and Photos_Jo Isaac