The Heysen Trail

Interactive Map

View Interactive Map showing the Heysen Trail with accommodation options, re-routes, Fire Ban Districts and Tourism Regions.

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The Heysen Trail

South Australia’s 1,200km Heysen Trail extends from Cape Jervis, on the Fleurieu Peninsula, to Parachilna Gorge, in the Flinders Ranges, traversing coastal areas, native bushland, rugged gorges, pine forests, vineyards, rich farmland and historic towns.

Catering for both the serious backpacker walking the complete trail, and for the day walker who might choose to do short walks along different sections of the The Heysen Trail, the trail is managed by a partnership between:

More about the Heysen Trail

When to hike along the Heysen Trail

When to Hike

The Heysen Trail is generally open between April and November. During the summer Fire Danger Season, much of the trail is closed.

The first 80km section of the Heysen Trail between Cape Jervis and Victor Harbor (the new Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail)  is open all year round, except that it will be closed on days of catastrophic fire danger. The Parks website should also be checked on days of extreme fire danger or total fire bans.

Re-Routes along the Heysen Trail

Re-Routes

Due to maintenance or access issues it is occasionally necessary to re-align sections of the Heysen Trail.

Directory of services along the Heysen Trail

Service Directory

List of services along the Heysen Trail: supermarkets, general stores, medical services, internet access, payphones and post offices.

Heysen Trail map sheets, new September 2014

Maps

Map sheets and guidebooks published by the Department for Environment and Water (DEW). From September 2014, the two guidebooks (the Southern Guide from Cape Jervis to Spalding and the Northern Guide from Spalding to Parachilna Gorge) were superseded by eight map sheets. Buy online now from $15 with postage from $3.80.

GPS files of the Heysen Trail

GPS Files

Download the GPX or KML waypoint data files to load onto your GPS unit for use as a navigational aid when walking the Heysen Trail.

Huts & Camping the Heysen Trail

Huts & Camping

Scattered along the Heysen Trail are numerous campsites, huts, shelters, caravan parks, hotels and bed & breakfasts. View accommodation options.

The Friends

The Friends of the Heysen Trail

The not-for-profit organisation the Friends of the Heysen Trail maintains the Heysen Trail in partnership with the Department for Environment and Water (DEW).

A regular walking program occurs year-wide, with different grades of walks catering for beginners to experienced walkers.

A comprehensive walking programme with various grades of walks is organised, social gatherings are held, and members are kept up to date with activities by means of the Trailwalker magazine which we publish three times a year.

Working groups carry out routine trail maintenance activities, as well as approved special projects such as installation of water tanks, and structures such as boardwalks.

More about the Friends

Upcoming Walks

View full walk programme.

Walk Programme

Calendar of Events

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TW Yurrebilla No 2

Walk grade: Trail Walker

Walk Leader: Julia McLachlan

We walk from Eagle on the Hill to Norton Summit. Approx 19km. We will meet at Norton Summit at 7.20 […]

View Event page

Sturt Gorge Cascades

Walk grade: Trail Walker

Walk Leaders: Melanie Fischer, Melanie Sjoberg

A loop walk with plenty of river crossings and rock scrambling. A short detour to view the picturesque Cascades. Some […]

View Event page

FoHT Council Meeting

Walk grade: Other

Friends of Heysen Trail Council Meeting The Friends encourages engagement and interaction across our membership/volunteers. Committees and Members are welcome […]

View Event page

TS Cleland

Walk grade: Trail Starter

Walk Leader: Judith Ellis

The walk will start on the Steub walking trail which climbs through forest woodland with wonderful views over the southern […]

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TW Yurrebilla No 3

Walk grade: Trail Walker

Walk Leader: Julia McLachlan

Norton Summit to Ambers Gully. Appprox 20 km Meet at Ambers at 7.20 am and car shuffle back to Norton […]

View Event page

TW Mt Crawford

Walk grade: Trail Walker

Walk Leader: Peter Deacon

A loop walk with steep climbs over Mt Crawford and Little Mt Crawford rewarding with excellent views. Then onto tracks […]

View Event page

Sturt Gorge Cascades

Walk grade: Trail Walker

Walk Leaders: Melanie Fischer, Melanie Sjoberg

A loop walk with plenty of river crossings and rock scrambling. A short detour to view the picturesque Cascades. Some […]

View Event page

TW Bridgewater

Walk grade: Trail Walker

Walk Leader: Peter Deacon

This walk follows the Heysen Trail from Bridgewater oval through Mt George CP, Mt Lofty Golf Course and Woodhouse Scout […]

View Event page

TW Kuitpo

Walk grade: Trail Walker

Walk Leader: Robert Ruediger

Come and join us for a full day (6hrs, 18km) Trailwalker through Kuitpo Forest. This walk will take you southwards […]

View Event page

FoHT Council Meeting

Walk grade: Other

Friends of Heysen Trail Council Meeting The Friends encourages engagement and interaction across our membership/volunteers. Committees and Members are welcome […]

View Event page

TS Onkaparinga

Walk grade: Trail Starter

Walk Leader: Judith Ellis

A Trail Starter in length, but with uneven, rocky, slippery and undulating tracks.   A circular walk in a small […]

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TS Anderson Loop

Walk grade: Trail Starter

Walk Leader: Rosemary Hayward

Come along for a walk along the Anderson Loop through Bennett’s Forest, which is part of the Mount Crawford Forestry […]

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TS Hardy’s Scrub

Walk grade: Trail Starter

Walk Leader: Noeleen Smith

This walk is a loop trail, taking you through the beautiful Hardy’s scrub and parts of the Willunga Basin Trail.  […]

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TW Bridgewater

Walk grade: Trail Walker

Walk Leader: Peter Deacon

This walk follows the Heysen Trail from Bridgewater oval through Mt George CP, Mt Lofty Golf Course and Woodhouse Scout […]

View Event page

TW Mt Crawford/Warren CP

Walk grade: Trail Walker

Walk Leader: Peter Deacon

Starting at Mt Crawford Information Centre, we skirt around the edges of Warren Reservoir before climbing up into Warren Conservation […]

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TS Brownhill Ck

Walk grade: Trail Starter

Walk Leader: Peter Clark

Details to come. BIOSECURITY MEASURES – Please ensure you thoroughly clean your footwear, clothing, walking poles and other equipment before […]

View Event page

View full calendar and find out more about the walk programme.

News

FOHT new Council & Annual Report 2024

The Friends AGM was held on 16 April 2025. Neil Hendry and Melanie Sjoberg were re-elected as president and vice-president.

Heysen Trail GPX files update for GPS: version 4.9 issued 15/5/2025

This is an update to the downloadable GPX file and Interactive Map since the last update in February 2024.

Heysen Trail closure – Advance Notice – May & June 2025

The Friends of Heysen Trail have received advance notice of closures planned for May & June 2025.

HEYSEN TRAIL – NORTHERN TRAILHEAD REJUVENATION

HEYSEN TRAIL –  NORTHERN TRAILHEAD REJUVENATIONFriends of Heysen Trail members & supporters are invited to Parachilna Gorge on Monday September 2nd to help celebrate completion of the Northern Trailhead Rejuvenation Project.

Heysen Trail through the Buckaringa Sanctuary Closed in August and October 2024

Heysen Trail through the Buckaringa Sanctuary Closed in August and October 2024The Heysen Trail through the Buckaringa Sanctuary will be closed to walkers in August and in October 2024. The closure is due to a feral animal control program being conducted in the area.

The Friends of the Heysen Trail's Trailwalker magazine

Trailwalker Magazine

The magazine published by the Friends of the Heysen Trail in April, August & December. Download the latest Trailwalker issue. View all Trailwalker magazines.
End-to-end walks along the Heysen Trail with the Friends of the Heysen Trail

End-to-End Walks

End-to-end walks are for those wishing to complete the entire Heysen Trail. As the schedule and trail logistics are done by the Friends they are easy for walkers to participate in.

Contact the Friends of the Heysen Trail

Contact

Suite 203, 2nd Floor Epworth Building
33 Pirie Street, Adelaide, South Australia 5000
Australia Phone (08) 8212 6299 heysentrail@heysentrail.asn.au Open Mon-Fri 10.30am - 2.30pm View shop/office map
Walk Program calendar 287

Print Walk Programme

Download an easy-to-print season walk programme. View online walk calendar.