An inspiring half day tour experience that provides easy access to Adelaide’s most popular walking trail! This self-guided hike takes you from the serenity of Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty Summit.

Challenge yourself on Adelaide’s favourite hike! This tough, yet rewarding self-guided hike takes you from the serenity of Waterfall Gully and along the trails of Cleland Conservation Park to the summit at Mount Lofty. At 710m witness stunning panoramic views over-looking the Adelaide plains and Gulf St Vincent.

• Start the day fresh, active and inspired! In an area abundant with native wildlife you will hike past waterfalls, along streams and follow the gully ridges. Specifically structured as a self-guided hike to give plenty of time to explore at your own pace.
• Return transport direct to the trail head provides hassle free and easy access to this popular trail. An orientation is provided to assist you with timings, point out areas of interest to stop and highlight the well-marked trails.
• At the summit there will be time to admire the stunning views across Adelaide and beyond. Then treat yourself to an energising coffee and snack at the Summit Café before taking the return route back to the trailhead.

Breathe the fresh morning air at Waterfall Gully - a short scenic drive from the City takes you direct to the trailhead of Adelaide’s most popular hike. Arriving around 8.30am, be amazed by your first sight of the spectacular First Falls sparkling in the morning sunshine. Setting off at your own pace and depending upon your interest stops along the way, expect to take between 1 to 2 hours to arrive at the Summit.

Appreciate the serenity of nature with a morning hike - fully immerse yourself in the environment and sense the wilderness while listening to the sounds of the native birdlife. Detect the distinctive scents of the eucalyptus trees as the 3.9km trail climbs past waterfalls, along streams and gully ridges. Keep a keen eye out for sleepy koalas high in the gum trees, small lizards or even a kangaroo grazing in the bush!

Be rewarded with mind-blowing views - sense the feeling of height as you reach the summit and be rewarded with breathtaking views over Adelaide and beyond. See the city buildings, parklands and iconic Adelaide Oval, look out across the plains to the Airport, the coastal town of Glenelg and the far reaches of Port Adelaide. On a clear day, you may even sight Kangaroo Island!

Re-energise at the Summit Café - the Café is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a morning coffee or brunch (own expense) while admiring the views. Be sure to take some time to learn some interesting facts and history about the Summit before heading back down to Waterfall Gully. Aim to leave the summit in time to meet your driver back at Waterfall Gully by 12.00pm. The return hike should take around 1 hour.

This hike is graded as hard. The Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty Hike involves steep sections and uneven surfaces and a good level of fitness and mobility is required. The hike is approximately 2 – 3 hours return (7.8km).

Operated By

pureSA - uniquely South Australian travel adventures

Please dress appropriately for the weather – note that it can be a few degrees cooler in the Adelaide Hills. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses, and bring a small lightweight backpack for personal items. And don’t forget your camera for some great photo opportunities!

CANCELLATION OF TOUR OR SERVICE (BY YOU) - If you cancel some or all portions of your booking, cancellation fees will apply. A refund can only be issued to the original purchaser and same credit card used for the booking and will be made less the applicable cancellation notice fees stated below. A cancellation will only be effective once pureSA receive written email notification from you.

Cancellation Fees for all tours (except those stated in the variation below) are:

More than 30 days prior to departure: $20 administration fee.
72 hours – 30 days prior to departure: 25% fee of total booking price.
48 – 72 hours prior to departure: 50% fee of total booking price.
24 – 48 hours prior to departure: 75% fee of total booking price.
Less than 24 hours prior to departure: 100% fee of total booking price.

Variation: For Swim with the Giant Cuttlefish (2day tour or self-drive options), Swim ‘with’ Safari, Adelaide Coastal Sanctuary Explorer and the Deep Creek and Coorong Explorer the following cancellation fees apply:

More than 60 days prior to departure: 15% fee of total booking price.
30 - 60 days prior to departure: 25% fee of total booking price.
14 – 30 days prior to departure: 50% fee of total booking price.
5 – 14 days prior to departure: 75% fee of total booking price.
Less than 5 days prior to departure: 100% fee of total booking price.

Private Tours: Cancellation terms of a private tour are advised at time of request and/or confirmation.

If you fail to join a tour or are not at the designated pickup point at the correct time, pureSA reserve the right to deem you as a cancellation and no refund will be made. If you choose to leave the tour prior to its completion, no refund will be made.

ALTERATION OF TOUR OR SERVICE (BY PURESA) - pureSA may alter a tour or service at any time prior to departure due to, but not limited to, extreme weather conditions, safety considerations, park closures, or other unforeseen circumstances outside of its control. An alternative tour itinerary will be arranged or you can transfer to an alternate departure date for the same tour. No refund will be given.

CANCELLATION OF TOUR OR SERVICE (BY PURESA) - pureSA reserve the right to cancel a tour or service at any time prior to departure should operational considerations outside of its control dictate (i.e. mechanical breakdown, staff sickness). In this event you can transfer amounts paid to an alternate departure date / tour or service, or alternatively receive a full refund of your booking price.

BOOKING AMENDMENT (BY YOU) - Any amendment to your confirmed booking will attract a change fee of $20 per person. You are able to transfer from one tour or service to another (of equal value), amend your departure date or change the name of a person booked, however you must notify us at least 48 hours prior to the booked departure date, otherwise standard cancellation fees will apply as outlined previously.