The Larapinta Trail
The Larapinta Trail runs for 223 kilometres from the old telegraph station just outside of Alice Springs through the MacDonnell ranges to Mount Sonder (1380m) When hiking the Larapinta Trail, Northern territory, it appears to be a desert walk and it is not what most people expect as it runs through the Macdonnell ranges which provide for plenty of climbing, and descending through red rock country and dry river beds all providing excellent views.
Hiking the larapinta Trail can be done in about sixteen days or can be broken down into sections ranging from one or two days .
The walk is classified as moderate to hard and if doing the whole walk there are sections where two days water supply must be carried. Food drops can be organized to save carrying food for the whole trip.
There is a registration system in place which, although not compulsory, does let the rangers know of your arrival and departure times.
We hiked the Larapinta Trail in June which gave us mostly pleasant days with one day of rain, but nights were cold down to about -5degrees C Although the Larapinta Trail can be walked in either direction we walked from the Mt Sonder end back to the Telegraph Station which is from West to East ending up just outside of Alice Springs.
We had one food drop which meant carrying up to nine days food which meant my pack starting weight was about 27 kilos. However there are now facilities for 3 food drops which makes for a lighter pack. We were dropped at Glen Helen Station and spent a pleasant night there before starting the walk the next day.
Day 1: After breakfast we were dropped at Redbank Gorge by the owners of Glen Helen Station where we set up our tents for the night. We then walked from Redbank Gorge up to Mt Sonder and returned, carrying just a day pack and water. Mt Sonder rises to 1380 metres and it is a 16 kilometre return trip. There are great views in all directions from Mt Sonder and it is well worth the climb.
Day 2: As a 4 hour walk from Redbank Gorge to Rocky Bar Gap where we camped overnight.
Day 3: Was a long day as we went from Rocky Bar Gap to Ormiston Gorge which took about10 hours. You could break this day up and camp at Glen Helen Station, but as we had stayed there at the start of the walk we pressed on to Ormiston Gorge. There are some steep climbs and you cross the Finke River which is one of the worlds oldest river systems.
Day 4: We hiked to Waterfall Gorge which is about a 6 hour walk. This is quite rugged country and as there is no water you must carry enough water for 2 days which adds quite a bit of weight to the pack. Days 4 and 5 are two of the more difficult days of hiking the Larapinta Trail.
Day 5: Went from Waterfall Gorge to Serpentine Chalet Dam a relatively short day walk of about 5 hours.
Day 6: We walked from Serpentine Chalet Dam to Serpentine Gorge a walk of about 5 hours with views of Haasts Bluff and Mt Zeil. This day is typical of the Larapinta Trail in general, as there is a lot of climbing, walking along ridge lines and descending again.
Day 7: Was from Serpentine Gorge to Ellery Creek another 5 hour day with lots of sharp rocks to walk over and bird life to see. As campfires are not allowed on the Larapinta Trail we carried small gas stoves for heating water and cooking.
Day 8: Went from Ellery Creek to Rocky Gully, another relatively short day of about 4 hours.
Day 9: Rocky Gully to Hugh Gorge about 5 hours of hiking.
Day 10: Hugh Gorge to Birthday Waterhole. This was a 10 hour day of walking through Gorges following watercourses, and provided some excellent scenery.
Day 11: Lots of climbing and descending on this day from Birthday Waterhole to Standley Chasm. This day took about 8 hours and passed over Brinkley Bluff. Some hikers camp on the Bluff, however it can get very windy and cold.
Day 12: We took a day off at the very pleasant Standley Chasm
Day 13: Standley Chasm to Jay Creek is a 7 hour walk through some of the steepest parts of the ranges.
Day 14: We walked from Jay Creek to Simpsons Gap an 8 hour walk with more steep climbs and spectacular ancient rocky outcrops.
Day 15 was the last day of the walk and took about 9 hours to hike from Simpsons Gap to the old Telegraph Station which is the end of the walk . It is another hour to walk along the Todd River into Alice Springs to a welcome meal change from living on freeze-dried rations for the last 15 days.
Hiking the Larapinta Trail Northern Territory is highly recommended.