Larapinta Trail

10 - 20 days of hiking, 100s of camping spots, food drops - with so many options to chose from, how should you hike the Larapinta Trail? This is my recommended itinerary for a 15-day, east to west trek of the trail.

22-day Larapinta Trail hike, impression and review series. Overview from Mt Sonder to Alice Springs. I walked solo, end to end and west to east (from Mt Sonder to Alice Springs).

Distance: 292 km - 181 miles out and back | Ascent: 9490 m - 31100 ft | Descent: 9530 m - 31300 ft | Duration: 22 days | Grade: medium | Rating: 4/5

Which camping spots are the best? I've spent 21 nights on the Larapinta Trail and those are my favourite 5 camping spots for small groups which you should not miss.

After being dropped off at Redbank Gorge and setting up camp I climbed Mt Sonder, the beginning (or end) of the Larapinta Trail. This section of the trail offers expansive views over the Western MacDonnell Ranges and beyond. Mt Zeil, Gosses Bluff and Mt Giles can all be seen from the top.

Distance: 16 km - 10 miles out and back | Ascent: 900 m - 3000 ft | Descent: 900 m - 3000 ft | Duration: 6 hours | Grade: hard | Rating: 5/5

Redbank Gorge, Rocky Bar Gap, Hilltop Lookout!
I started the day fairly lazy as it's only 3.5 hours to Rocky Bar Gap. Before I left I ventured into beautiful Redbank Gorge, a detour I'd recommend. The hike over to Rocky Bar Gap is easy but doesn't offer outstanding views. On the way I decided to climb to Hilltop Lookout for the night should I make it to Rocky Bar Gap in time to do so; I did. I filtered water and pushed hard to get to the top with time to spare before sunset. A fantastic spot to camp and highly recommended if you don't mind carrying the extra water.

Distance: 18.8 km - 11.7 miles point to point | Ascent: 615m - 2000 ft | Descent: 295m - 1000 ft | Duration: 5.5 hours | Grade: medium | Rating Redbank Gorge detour: 4/5 | Rating to Rocky Bar Gap: 2/5 | Rating to Hilltop Lookout: 5/5

Stunning sunrise at Hilltop Lookout! Ancient Finke River!
The day started with a fantastic sunrise and a lazy start. Then I left the rugged Heavitree Range via many switchbacks to the plain below. There the trail meanders for a while before it crosses Davenport Creek and Finke River before reaching Finke River Camp.

Distance: 10 km - 6.2 miles out and back | Ascent: 70 m - 230 ft | Descent: 420 m - 1400 ft | Duration: 3 hours | Grade: medium | Rating: 4/5

Leaving Finke River, Ormiston Lookout and Arriving at Ormiston Gorge!
I left the camp last, around 10am. The trail follows Ormiston Creek, then crosses it and soon leads into undulating hill country. Along the way are some nice views with Ormiston Lookout being the highest. It was a windy day which kept temperatures low and the flies away. Looking back, Mt Sonder still dominates the landscape.
After 2.5 hours I reached Ormiston Gorge Camp, its showers, excellent kiosk food, my food drop and many, many birds. Such as an Australian Ringneck; some well camouflaged Spinifex Pigeon; a Western Bowerbird with its curious, pink spot.

Distance: 9 km - 5.6 miles point to point | Ascent: 280 m - 920 ft | Descent: 240 m - 790 ft | Duration: 2.5 hours | Grade: medium | Rating: 3/5

Leaving Finke River, Ormiston Lookout and Arriving at Ormiston Gorge!
I started early, long before the sun reached the valley floor, to beat the crowds on this walk. I walked counter clockwise which is what I'd recommend in the morning. Icy wind blew down the valley on the way up to the lookout. Meanwhile Mt Sonder already basked in the morning sun.
The view from the lookout is great and one of the best easily accessible views for day walkers. That makes the area very popular so beware the crowds if you enjoy solitude. In the afternoon the sandy waterhole in the gorge feels more like Bondi Beach than the desert. So just start early, or come late.
Once I continued into Ormiston gorge its true size slowly became apparent. From now on I just followed the creek as there's no defined trail any more. I think this is the overall most massive gorge on the whole LT. The sandy valley floor wide, the red cliffs towering overhead, ghost gums clinging to the rock I don't know how.
Ormiston Gorge is a wonderful place to stay on the LT and I'd recommend it to anyone, no matter if you walk e2e, a section or just for the day.

Distance: 9 km - 5.6 miles loop | Ascent: 250 m - 820 ft | Descent: 250 m - 820 ft | Duration: 3 hours | Grade: medium | Rating: 5/5

Leaving Ormiston Gorge, climbing the Heavitree Range and a stunning camp at Mt Giles Lookout!
Todays hike started at Ormiston Gorge Camp early on an icy cold morning. The trail follows the Heavitree Range for some 9km before it climbs on top. From here Mt Giles is visible. A bit further along the range is a wonderful camp site (no water, no facilities!).
This is 1.3km west of Giles Lookout and the descent to Waterfall Gorge. Coordinates for Mt Giles Lookout Camp: S23° 40.420' E132° 48.749'

Distance: 13.6 km - 8.5 miles point to point | Ascent: 610 m - 2000 ft | Descent: 290 m - 950 ft | Duration: 5.5 hours | Grade: hard | Rating: 5/5

Stunning sunrise at Mt Giles Lookout. The long, signature valleys of the Larapinta Trail. Rugged Inarlanga Pass.
Today's hike starts at the fantastic camping spot 1.3km west of Mt Giles Lookout. Mt Giles is visible from the ridge. There's Telstra reception at the lookout. The trail then descents and via an untracked creek reaches Waterfall Gorge and the camp beyond (no water or toilet). Then follows a long valley which leads over a pass and past a gorge to Inarlanga Pass. Finally the trail heads through underlating hills to Serpentine Charlet Dam camp site (shelter, water, toilet).

Distance: 16.5 km - 10.3 miles point to point | Ascent: 460 m - 1500 ft | Descent: 690 m - 2300 ft | Duration: 7.5 hours | Grade: hard | Rating: 5/5

Serpentine Chalet Dam. Iconic Counts Point Lookout. Serpentine Gorge.
Today's hike starts with a short detour to Serpentine Chalet Dam. The trail then follows the Heavitree Range for 4km before climbing steeply to its top. Here a short detour leads to iconic Counts Point with its expansive views. After about 2km of ridge walking the trail descends steeply back onto the plain below and soon reaches the camp site at Serpentine Gorge (shelter, water and toilet provided).

Distance: 16 km - 10 miles out and back | Ascent: 590 m - 1900 ft | Descent: 660 m - 2200 ft | Duration: 7 hours | Grade: medium | Rating: 4/5

Narrow Serpentine Gorge. Vertical, dolomite walls. Massive Ellery Big Hole.
Today's hike starts with a detour to Serpentine Gorge. The trail then follows the Heavitree Range through dolomite formations. Eventually, Ellery big Hole is reached.

Distance: 15 km - 9.3 miles point to point | Ascent: 560 m - 1800 ft | Descent: 670 m - 2200 ft | Duration: 5 hours | Grade: medium | Rating: 3/5

Massive Ellery Big Hole. Leaving the Heavitree Range for good. Beautiful night sky at Rocky Gully!
Did I go for a swim in Ellery Big Hole? Absolutely. But only for a sew seconds as the water is painfully cold. I doubt one would survive to tray and swim across.
Today starts at Ellery Creek. After a few km the trail crosses the Heavitree range a last time and heads out into the wide Alice Valley before it reaches Rocky Gully which has water and a toilet.
Rocky Gully isn't the nicest camping spot; it's dusty and not very scenic but when I got there at 4pm I was exhausted from the heat and happy to call it a day. The heat of the day radiated into the night and I did a bit of star gazing. Nothing beets the outback sky at night!

Distance: 15 km - 9.3 miles point to point | Ascent: 530 m - 1700 ft | Descent: 420 m - 1400 ft | Duration: 5.5 hours | Grade: medium | Rating: 3/5

From Rocky Gully across the Alice Valley to the entrance of Hugh Gorge!
Today's hike starts at Rocky Gully camp (water & toilet). It then traverses a series of ridges before it reaches Ghost Gum Flat (no facilities ). The hike ends at the entrance to Hugh Gorge where there's a camp with shelter, water and toilet.
In hindsight I'd recommend to hike from Ellery Creek to Ghost Gum Flat with a break and re-supply of water at Rocky Gully (24km | 15mi, medium). The next day I'd hike into Hugh Gorge to Hugh Junction, a truly impressive camping spot. Get water at Hugh Gorge camp or (if available) at Upper Hugh Gorge pool (12km | 7.5mi, medium + very hard)

Distance: 15.4 km - 9.7 miles point to point | Ascent: 380 m - 1250 ft | Descent: 390 m - 1300 ft | Duration: 5 hours | Grade: medium | Rating: 2/5

Exploring amazing Hugh Gorge and Upper Hugh Gorge. Camping at stunning Hugh Junction. Filtering water.
Today's hike started at the camp at the entrance of Hugh Gorge (water, toilet, shelter). The trail follows Hugh River into the Chewings Range. I setup camp at Hugh Junction and explored stunning Upper Hugh Gorge where I got water.

Distance: 6 km - 9.7 miles point to point & out and back | Ascent: 130 m - 430 ft | Descent: 100 m - 330 ft | Duration: 3.5 hours | Grade: very hard | Rating: 5/5

Leaving Hugh Gorge. A journey into Fringe Lilly Creek in the search for water. Across the Razor Back and through amazingly wild gorges of the Chewings Range!
Today's walk starts at Hugh Junction (no facilities). It leads over a saddle to Fridge Lilly Camp (also no facilities). I explored into Fridge Lilly Creek in the search for water. Then the trail leads over the Razor Back and through very steep creeks to Spencer Gorge. Eventually the trail leaves the gorge and reaches the camp at Section 4/5 Junction (water, shelter, toilet). I continued further to Birthday Waterhole for the night (no facilities)

Distance: 16 km - 10 miles point to point | Ascent: 600 m - 2000 ft | Descent: 740 m - 2400 ft | Duration: 7.5 hours | Grade: very hard | Rating: 5/5

Climbing Brinkley Bluff, an afternoon at the summit and camping at maybe the best spot on the whole Larapinta Trail!
Today's walk starts at Birthday waterhole (no facilities). The trail passes Section 4/5 Junction (water, toilet, shelter). It then follows Stuart Creek before a first climb to Rocky Cleft. From here it's an even steeper climb to the top of Brinkley Bluff with no facilities but plenty of camping spots.
It had gotten windy over night which was a concern considering that I wanted to camp at the exposed summit of Brinkley Bluff. Especially on the first climb that became quite apparent. The second section of climbing was truly amazing. The excellent trail work did not diminish the sheer awesomeness of this land.
There's good 4G reception with Telstra at the top. I spent an lovely afternoon up here and enjoyed the sunset. Is it worth carrying the extra water up here? I let you be the judge...

Distance: 9 km - 5.6 miles point to point | Ascent: 670 m - 2200 ft | Descent: 160 m - 530 ft | Duration: 3 hours | Grade: very hard | Rating: 5/5

Sunrise at Brinkley Bluff, a hike along ridges and arriving at Standley Chasm!
The day started with an icy but stunning sunrise at Brinkley Bluff. The trail then follows the ridge east along the Chewings Range. After Reveal Saddle come a few more steep climbs before reaching Bridle Path Lookout. From here it's downhill and then level walking through a creek before reaching the paved road and Standley Chasm.

Distance: 10.5 km - 6.5 miles point to point | Ascent: 230 m - 750 ft | Descent: 770 m - 2500 ft | Duration: 3.5 hours | Grade: very hard | Rating: 5/5

A day at Standley Chasm. How does it compare to the other two food drop spots Ellery Creek and Ormiston Gorge?
I spent the day at Standley, enjoyed a hearty breakfast by the fire, washed my cloths and explored the chasm.
Now that I've been to all three food drop spots lets see how they stack up.

Ormiston Gorge: 5/5
Ellery Creek: 1/5
Standley Chasm: 3/5

Leaving Standley Chasm, Rugged Chewings Range and wild creeks.
Today started at Standley Chasm camp. Initially the trail follows the path into the chasm but about half way leaves the valley and climbs around the narrow part. It then climbs descends and climbs a few times following the most northern part of the Chewings Range.
Two small springs are located about 1km west of scenic Millers Flat (no facilities).
The land north of the chasm is wild and jagged. The creek beds and dry waterfalls encountered later are equally impressive.

Distance: 5.2 km - 3 miles point to point | Ascent: 320 m - 1050 ft | Descent: 270 m - 880 ft | Duration: 2.5 hours | Grade: hard | Rating: 4/5

The last high route, a wild creek walk and expansive views!
Today's hike started at Millers Flat (no facilities). The trail climbed steeply through a narrow valley to the top of the Chewings Range and Lorettas Lookout. It then descends gradually back onto the plain where it reaches Jay Creek. After a walk through the gap Jay Creek Camp is reached (water, shelter, toilet).
Once at the top I came across 2-3 little tent pads. Had I known that I would have camped up here last night.

Distance: 10 km - 6.2 miles point to point | Ascent: 530 m - 1700 ft | Descent: 580 m - 1900 ft | Duration: 3.5 hours | Grade: hard | Rating: 4/5

North of the Chewings Range, through Spring Gap and camping at Arenge View.
Today's hike started at Jay Creek Camp (water, shelter, toilet). The trail leads around the northern edge of the Chewings Range and Mt Lloyd before headding through Spring Gap. I refilled water at Mulga Camp (water, shelter, toilet) but camped in a sandy creek bed near Arenge View (no facilities).
Once Arenge Bluff came fully into view I found a beautiful, sandy creek as my camp for the night.

Distance: 13 km - 8 miles point to point | Ascent: 290 m - 950 ft | Descent: 430 m - 1400 ft | Duration: 4.5 hours | Grade: medium | Rating: 3/5

Arenge Bluff, Bond Gap, and Simpsons Gap.
Today's hike started at Arenge View (no facilities). The trail leads around Arenge Bluff. A short detour heads into Bond Gap. From here it's undulating terrain till Simpsons Gap (water, shelter, toilet).

Distance: 16 km - 10 miles point to point | Ascent: 320 m - 1050 ft | Descent: 360 m - 1200 ft | Duration: 4.5 hours | Grade: medium | Rating: 3/5

The last section of the Larapinta Trail begins and Wallabies at Wallaby Gap.
Today's hike started at Simpsons Gap (water, shelter, toilet). The trail follows the range above the plain before leading into the flat valley. There are two short side trips: Fairy Springs and Scorpion Pool. Later, Wallaby Gap is reached (water, shelter, toilet).
At Wallaby Gap I spotted a large wallaby and a shy dingo. Later the dingos howled their haunting song but my camera didn't catch it. Pretty close to Alice there's reliable 4G reception at Wallaby Gap.

Distance: 13 km - 8 miles point to point | Ascent: 370 m - 1200 ft | Descent: 380 m - 1250 ft | Duration: 4 hours | Grade: medium | Rating: 2/5

My last day of the Larapinta Trail, views from Euro Ridge and arriving in Alice Springs.
Today's hike started at Wallaby Gap (water, shelter, toilet). The trail immediately climbs to the top of Euro Ridge. It then leads through undulating country north of Alice Springs where it crosses the Ghan rail line and the Stuart Highway. The Larapinta Trail officially ends (or starts) at the Telegraph station but I continued into the centre of Alice Springs.

Distance: 18 km - 11.3 miles point to point | Ascent: 500 m - 1650 ft | Descent: 600 m - 2000 ft | Duration: 5.5 hours | Grade: medium | Rating: 2/5