South Australia’s beautiful Barossa Valley is an ideal destination for a perfect staycation to relax and embrace what this state has to offer.
Most of us associate the Barossa with vast vineyards, eclectic accommodations, and delectable cuisine. But what about those of us who are more energetic and active amongst us? Your ideal getaway might be stepping away from your routine and embracing nature with a picturesque hike.
Barossa Bushwalks have made an interactive map (link below) highlighting all 17 bushwalking trails, showcasing them for their difficulty of terrain, distance, time and accessibility.
Ranging from very easy to hard trails, presenting distance and average walking time, this interactive map is perfect for planning a nice day out to embrace nature at its best.
Here’s a quick summary of the walks to check out.
1. The Barossa Bushgardens
A short and accessible bushwalk, perfect for a group to go on a leisurely walk and witness the native flora and catch the frog theme of the nursery.
Distance: 1 KM, 0.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy and wheelchair accessible
2. Moculta Trail
The Moculta Trail is best if you want to integrate one trail with another, start with Moculta and finish with the Lavender Federation Trail.
Distance: 10.7KM, 3.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
3. Kaiserthul Conservation Park
If you are looking to spend a bit more time basking in the Barossa’s nature, The Kaiserthul Conservation park features some native wildlife through the Stringybark loop past ancient grass trees.
Distance: 2 KM, 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
4. Little Kaiserthul Loop
If you would like to up your distance a little bit, the Little Kaiserthul loop spanning 6 kilometres sports a rocky ridge line with a beautiful payoff of stunning views and roaming cattle. Be sure to end the loop with a cheeky glass of red.
Distance: 6.2 KM, 2.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
5. Jacob Creek Vistor Centre
Jacob Creek is an easy stroll and perfect for great picnic spot with the family. Less than an hour long and only half a kilometre in length.
Distance: 0.5 KM, 0.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
6. Steingarten Walk
Spanning 8 kilometres, the Steingarten Walk begins from the GBA Parsons lookout. A steady incline while taking in the picturesque vineyards and enjoying a delicious, well-deserved lunch on the lookout deck.
Distance: 8.0 KM, 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
7. Altona Cresent Landscape Reserve
The Altona Crescent which has multiple diverging paths. Fairly easy and trekkable in two hours with different loop trails to explore.
Distance: 4.15 KM, 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
8. Sandy Creek
Sandy Creek is the perfect trail to walk with binoculars. Maybe you could even catch any of the 150 native birds that are native to the area.
Distance: 4.8 KM, 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
9. Barossa Goldfields
Maybe you would like to walk the Barossa Goldfields and take whichever route suits you best, viewing the mining efforts left behind from the 19th century.
Distance: 5.8 KM, 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
10. Parra Wirra Conservation Park
The Parra Wirra Conservation Park could also fit your criteria, featuring many short walking trails within it, averaging 2 kilometres. And of course the incredible native animals roaming casually throughout the park.
Distance: 2.2 KM, 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
11. Hale Conservation
The Hale Conservation Park ups the hiking ante, with steep inclines but ideal if you are looking for that perfect Instagram photo thanks to vast views and scenery; with a waterfall appearing after rainfall.
Distance: 4 KM, 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
12. Warren Conservation Park
The Warren Conservation Park is one of the longest trails but most rewarding. As you will take in vineyards, native flora and fauna, pine forests, all leading to the watchtower where the best view in all of the Barossa is.
Distance: 9 KM, 4.5 hours
Difficulty: Hard
13. Mt Pleasant Loop
The Mt Pleasant Loop is the most accessible trail, choose to go it by foot or by bike. With three different loops spanning from two hour to five hour treks. Going through gorgeous scenery and a predominantly pine tree forest.
Distance: 4.7 KM, 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
14. Jenkins Scrub
A shorter length trail that is focused around the vegetation and the native plants. Expect beautiful wildflowers blossoming along the walk in the spring.
Distance: 1.5 KM, 0.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
15. Mt Crawford
One of the hardest trails among this list is the Mt Crawford trail. Mostly inclined it spans a 3.6 kilometre distance arriving at the scenic summit lunch spot. With the most beautiful it’s worth the challenge.
Distance: 3.6 KM, 2 hours
Difficulty: Hard
16. Eden Valley
If you are devoted to hiking and would devote an entire day to it then the Eden Valley trail is for you. The 18-kilometre trail integrates with many of the others. End the trail at the pub and drown your physical pain from a long walk with a nice cold pint of beer or beverage of your choosing.
Distance: 18 KM, 9 hours
Difficulty: Hard
17. Keyneton Spur Trail
The Keyneton Spur Trail can be adventured by bike. With your dog or even if you want to hike with your partner to show a bit of history. This trail connects up to sections of the Lavender Trail and the Keyneton Herritage Trail showing some historical sites in the settlement of Keyneton.
Distance: 7 KM, 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
The Barossa is a picturesque haven for relaxation of all types, it all just depends on what that looks like for you, maybe a nice leisurely walk or a challenging hike could be part of it.
Make sure to check out the interactive map here at Barossa Bushwalks to take a better look (with physical maps available too).
Visit the Barossa website here.
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