Walking the Larapinta

The Larapinta Trail is a 230k trail from Alice Springs through to Mt Sonder in the West Macdonald Ranges. The terrain varies from rugged mountains to open spinifex plains, with creek beds and narrow gorges in between.

This walk is a classed as hard, for experienced walkers only. Although saying that it can be done as a series of short walks with numerous access points for vehicles, so you could create your own itinerary if you want.

My wife and I walked end to end in 18 days averaging 13 to 16 kilometres per day. It is necessary to arrange food drops at three locations for this walk. There is no accommodation, only camping.

The first section took us to Stanley Chasm where our first food drop was located. Here there is a kiosk, and showers (bliss), as well as a café. The terrain on this part of the walk was not difficult although sometimes the trail markers would point straight up or down a steep rocky slope which had to be carefully negotiated.

Most of the campsites on the trail have shelters, toilets, and water tanks, but some do not, and it is necessary to carry extra water for these sections.

After Stanley Chasm the trail climbs up to Brinkly Bluff. Not hard but long and at times along very narrow ridges with steep slopes each side. Most people camp up top, however it can get windy as it is exposed, the views though are amazing.

The trail down is very steep with some narrow sections but it does zig zag which makes it a bit easier.

Ellery Creek was the next food drop and provides car camping as well as tent sites, and flushing toilets. There is a permanent waterhole and swimming is permitted, but it is cold.

The next section is only 4 days and covers more ranges and saddles that harbour more fantastic views. Some of the climbs are steep but once up there, it is spectacular. The final food drop was at Orminston Gorge where there is also a Kiosk, toilets and showers.

We now had only 4 days to go to the end of the trail. At the Finke River camp, we arrived early in the afternoon and took a side trip into Glenn Helen Resort where we enjoyed a hamburger and chips. Two days later we arrived at Red Bank Gorge.

For some this is the end of the trail although most people take the final section as a day walk up Mt Sonder where the trail officially ends. Red bank gorge is where most people arrange to be picked up taken back to Alice Springs.

We were taken back to Glen Helen Resort where we had left our car, and had another Shower, (our third in 18 days) Then headed back home, going via Dalhousie Springs, which is another fantastic place to visit which I will tell you about next Blog.

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