A leisurely walk, mainly along slightly undulating back roads, this section provides pleasant views over the surrounding farmland before you finish in the shadow of Mount Remarkable.
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Melrose
This is a very long and difficult (but memorable) section of the Trail which you’ll start by climbing Mount Remarkable, continuing through Mount Remarkable National Park before emerging on Alligator Gorge Road.
Alligator Gorge Rd
The Trail initially leads you over Lavender Peak to the picturesque Stony Creek campsite. From there, tracks, back roads and a walk next to a busy highway takes you to the memorial to explorer John Horrocks.
Horrocks Pass
Starting with a steep climb out of Horrocks Pass to the ridge, the Trail traverses exposed, gibber littered hills and farmland. You’ll be rewarded with views over the Willochra Plain and Spencer Gulf.
Broadview
This section of the Trail climbs through grazing land and natural scrub to Mount Brown where, after a very testing ascent, you’ll get spectacular views of the northern Spencer Gulf from the viewing tower. If you’re part of a group you’ll need to descend in single file to Waukarie Creek before you end with a classic Flinders Ranges creek walk.
Woolshed Flat
To start the day a steady climb takes you to the top of the range where you’ll be rewarded with views over Pichi Richi Pass. Descending into the pass, the Trail follows the historic Pichi Richi railway line, with remnants of deserted sidings and settlements. Your walk ends just out of historic Quorn, established in 1878 as a hub for the Great Northern Railway and still rife with historic buildings.
Quorn
This section of the Trail passes through the outskirts of Quorn before entering the Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park. You’ll gradually climb towards the Dutchmans Stern, named because of its supposed resemblance to the stern of a Dutch vessel. It’s well worth taking a 6 km detour to walk to the Dutchmans Stern loop as the views are spectacular.
Dutchmans Stern
This is a deceptively tough walk with a bit of everything, from undulating fire tracks with spectacular views, a rocky gorge and a gibber strewn floodplain. You’ll walk from Dutchmans Stern to Eyre Depot which was historically significant as a staging post for explorer Edward John Eyre’s expeditions into the Flinders Ranges in the 1830s and 1840s.
Newikie Creek
This section passes through Caroona Creek Conservation Park and Tourilie Gorge, one of the lesser-known gems of the Trail with its ancient geology set in gorgeous landscapes of dry creek beds. Look out for the remnants of an old bullock track cut through the rocky Gorge.
Dares Hill Summit Rd
The Trail takes you past the historic Mount Bryan East School before you begin the climb up Mount Bryan, the highest point of the Mount Lofty Ranges. From the summit you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Mid North before you descend through grazing and farming land towards Hallett, once a railhead for the local farming community.