French
DeutschThe Larapinta Trail is a long-distance walking trail in the southern Red Centre region of the Northern Territory of Australia. It runs for over 230 km through the rugged ranges and desert landscapes west of Alice Springs.
Understand
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The Larapinta Trail runs from the Alice Springs Telegraph Station to the summit of Mount Sonder, following much of the spine of the MacDonnell Ranges through Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park.
The route is divided into 12 official sections. Some can be completed in a day, while the longer and more difficult sections are normally split over two days.
Prepare
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The trail crosses remote, dry and often rugged country. Walkers should be comfortable carrying several days of supplies, camping equipment and sufficient drinking water.
Eat
[edit | edit source]There are very limited opportunities to buy food along the trail, so walkers attempting longer sections should carry most of what they need.
Food drops can be arranged at some road-accessible trailheads, which can reduce the amount that needs to be carried at one time.
Drink
[edit | edit source]Reliable natural surface water should not be assumed. Water tanks are provided at a number of trailheads and campsites, but availability can vary and walkers should check current conditions before departure.
Carry enough water between reliable sources, especially on exposed and difficult sections.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]Overnight walkers must use designated campsites. There are more than 20 designated campsites along the route, including Wallaby Gap, Simpsons Gap, Mulga Camp, Jay Creek, Brinkley Bluff, Hugh Gorge, Ellery Creek, Serpentine Gorge, Waterfall Gorge, Ormiston Gorge, Finke River and Redbank Gorge.
Campsites must be booked in advance. Standley Chasm has a privately operated campground.
Walkers should carry suitable camping equipment for cold desert nights and exposed campsites.
Climate
[edit | edit source]The usual walking season is during the cooler months, roughly May to September. June to August generally offers the coolest daytime conditions.
Daytime temperatures can still be warm, while winter nights can become very cold, particularly at higher or exposed campsites.
Summer conditions can be dangerously hot and are unsuitable for most long-distance walking on the trail.
Get in
[edit | edit source]Alice Springs is the usual eastern starting point. The trail begins at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station, a short distance north of the town centre.
Most major section trailheads are accessible by road, making it possible to walk only part of the route or arrange food drops and transfers. Some access roads require a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Walk
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24.7 km
9 hr
Start at 1 Alice Springs Telegraph Station.
The first section is graded moderate to difficult, with some steep climbs. The route gives wide views over Alice Springs and the surrounding plains.
2 Wallaby Gap is an intermediate campsite with tank water.
Finish at 3 Simpsons Gap.
26.2 km 8.5 hr
The trail crosses rocky terrain and low ranges west of Simpsons Gap.
Pass 4 Mulga Camp, an intermediate campsite with tank water.
Continue through the area around 5 Spring Gap.
Finish at 1 Jay Creek.
13.6 km 5.5 hr
Despite being relatively short, this section crosses some steep and rugged country.
Two route variants may be available, including a higher and more difficult route and a lower route.
Finish at 6 Standley Chasm. The campground here is privately operated.
17.9 km 9 hr
This is one of the more difficult parts of the trail.
The track climbs onto the quartzite ridges of the Chewings Range and reaches 7 Brinkley Bluff, one of the major viewpoints on the Larapinta Trail.
From Brinkley Bluff the route descends into Stuarts Pass and follows the Hugh River valley westward.
Designated campsites include Brinkley Bluff, Stuarts Pass and the Section 4–5 Junction.
The official section finishes near Birthday Waterhole.
14.9 km 9.5 hr
This is a difficult section.
The trail passes Spencer Gorge, follows Razorback Ridge and descends through Linear Valley toward the Hugh River.
Depending on recent conditions, walkers may have to wade through pools in Hugh Gorge.
Designated camping is available at Fringe Lily Creek and Hugh Gorge.
Finish at 8 Hugh Gorge.
28.9 km 10.5 hr
This is one of the longest sections of the trail.
The route leaves the Chewings Range, crosses the broad Alice Valley and approaches the Heavitree Range.
Many walkers divide this section into two days using an intermediate campsite.
Finish at 9 Ellery Creek Big Hole.
12.8 km 5 hr
The relatively gently undulating route offers extensive views across the Alice Valley before passing through the Heavitree Range.
Finish at 10 Serpentine Gorge.
13 km 5.5 hr
The route follows rocky ridges and offers views toward the higher peaks of the western MacDonnell Ranges.
Finish at 11 Serpentine Chalet Dam.
28.9 km 12 hr
This is one of the most difficult sections of the Larapinta Trail.
The trail traverses rugged ridge country in the western ranges. There is no reliable surface water along the section, so walkers must carry enough water for the journey.
Most walkers divide the section over two days, camping at 12 Waterfall Gorge.
The route then continues toward 13 Ormiston Gorge, a major trailhead with camping facilities.
8.9 km 4 hr
This is the shortest official section of the Larapinta Trail and is graded moderate.
The trail passes through limestone hills near the headwaters of the Finke River.
Finish at 14 Finke River.
26.3 km 9.5 hr
The route crosses spinifex-covered hills with increasingly close views of Mount Sonder. It then descends toward Rocky Bar Gap before following the southern side of Mount Sonder.
15 Rocky Bar Gap is a useful intermediate camping point.
Finish at 16 Redbank Gorge.
15 km 6 hr
The final section is a return climb from Redbank Gorge to the summit of Mount Sonder.
The climb is steep and sustained but gives extensive views across the surrounding ranges, plains and valleys.
Reach 17 Mount Sonder before returning to Redbank Gorge.
Some walkers begin the climb before dawn in order to reach the higher slopes around sunrise. Anyone doing so should carry a head torch and take particular care with navigation.
Stay safe
[edit | edit source]The Larapinta Trail passes through isolated desert country, and weather can change rapidly.
It is generally recommended to walk during the cooler months, particularly from June to August. Summer temperatures can be extreme and attempting long sections in very hot weather can be dangerous.
Dehydration and heat illness are major risks. Carry sufficient water and do not rely on natural waterholes. Check the condition of water tanks before setting out.
Hypothermia is also possible. Winter nights can become very cold, particularly at exposed campsites such as Brinkley Bluff.
The trail is generally well marked, but walkers should still carry a detailed map or other suitable navigation aid. A wrong turn in remote terrain can quickly become serious.
Snakes occur in the region. Avoid placing hands or feet into places you cannot see, and take care around rocks, long grass and warm exposed ground.
Mobile phone coverage is unreliable or absent along much of the route. For a full traverse, carrying a satellite communicator or personal locator beacon is sensible.
Sections 4, 5 and 9 are particularly demanding, while Sections 6 and 11 are long enough that many walkers prefer to divide them into two days. The official section grades range from Grade 3 to Grade 5. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Before departure, check current trail conditions, closures, water availability and fire restrictions with Northern Territory Parks.
Go next
[edit | edit source]Return by road from Redbank Gorge toward Alice Springs, or continue exploring Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park.