Main Valley and Rockdale Hill Circuit

3 h 15 min to 4 h 30 min

8.6 km
circuit

↑ 516 m
↓ -516 m

Very challenging
Starting from the carpark at the end of Horsnells Gully Road, Horsnell Gully, this walk takes you on a circuit within the Horsnell Gully Conservation Park via the Main Valley, Mount Lofty, Yurrebilla and Rockdale Hill tracks. This hike is a hidden gem in the Adelaide Hills close to Adelaide, that takes you through forested valleys of majestic river red gums and South Australian blue gums. Keep an eye out for koalas in the treetops, and listen closely for sounds of southern brown bandicoots foraging in the undergrowth. The walk starts along the Main Valley/Waterfall Hike Track, leading uphill along a rough track that is often little more than a narrow, rocky creek-bed. Overgrown blackberry plants with thorns and occasional cobwebs make this quite a challenging section. The section at the end of Main Valley up on to the fire tracks on Rockdale Hill is very steep with some loose rocks, and involves climbing up a waterfall, which may be slippery after rain. The Rockdale Hill Track gradually descends back towards the car park, providing excellent views of the quarry and parts of the city of Adelaide along the way. This is quite a challenging walk, with a mixture of single track walking trails and fire tracks, steep ascents and some rocky sections. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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Warning
This journey requires significant bushwalking experience, specialised equipment and navigation skills.
Please ensure you and your group well prepared and equiped for this journey.

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