The Heysen Trail

Interactive Map

View Interactive Map showing the Heysen Trail with accommodation options, re-routes, Fire Ban Districts and Tourism Regions.

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The Heysen Trail

South Australia’s 1,200km Heysen Trail extends from Cape Jervis, on the Fleurieu Peninsula, to Parachilna Gorge, in the Flinders Ranges, traversing coastal areas, native bushland, rugged gorges, pine forests, vineyards, rich farmland and historic towns.

Catering for both the serious backpacker walking the complete trail, and for the day walker who might choose to do short walks along different sections of the The Heysen Trail, the trail is managed by a partnership between:

More about the Heysen Trail

When to hike along the Heysen Trail

When to Hike

The Heysen Trail is generally open between April and November. During the summer Fire Danger Season, much of the trail is closed.

The first 80 km section of the Heysen Trail between Cape Jervis and Victor Harbor (the new Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail)  is open all year round, except that it will be closed on days of catastrophic fire danger. The Parks website should also be checked on days of extreme fire danger or total fire bans.

Re-Routes along the Heysen Trail

Re-Routes

Due to maintenance or access issues it is occasionally necessary to re-align sections of the Heysen Trail.

Directory of services along the Heysen Trail

Service Directory

List of services along the Heysen Trail: supermarkets, general stores, medical services, internet access, payphones and post offices.

Heysen Trail map sheets, new September 2014

Maps

Map sheets and guidebooks published by the Department for Environment and Water (DEW). From September 2014, the two guidebooks (the Southern Guide from Cape Jervis to Spalding and the Northern Guide from Spalding to Parachilna Gorge) were superseded by eight map sheets. Buy online now from $15 with postage from $3.80.

GPS files of the Heysen Trail

GPS Files

Download the GPX or KML waypoint data files to load onto your GPS unit for use as a navigational aid when walking the Heysen Trail.

Huts & Camping the Heysen Trail

Huts & Camping

Scattered along the Heysen Trail are numerous campsites, huts, shelters, caravan parks, hotels and bed & breakfasts. View accommodation options.

The Friends

The Friends of the Heysen Trail

The not-for-profit organisation the Friends of the Heysen Trail maintains the Heysen Trail in partnership with the Department for Environment and Water (DEW).

A regular walking program occurs year-wide, with different grades of walks catering for beginners to experienced walkers.

A comprehensive walking programme with various grades of walks is organised, social gatherings are held, and members are kept up to date with activities by means of the Trailwalker magazine which we publish three times a year.

Working groups carry out routine trail maintenance activities, as well as approved special projects such as installation of water tanks, and structures such as boardwalks.

More about the Friends

Upcoming Walks

View full walk programme.

Walk Programme

Calendar of Events

TW Belair

Walk grade: Trail Walker

Walk Leader: Paul Gill

As we roll out of the Winter Walking Season and into the less challenging Summer program, it is important to […]

View Event page

CANCELLED: TW Cleland

Walk grade: Trail Walker

Walk Leader: John Babister

A challenging loop walk in Cleland National Park with a number of testing climbs and descents throughout ending with a […]

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FoHT Council Meeting

Walk grade: Other

Friends of Heysen Trail Council Meeting The Friends encourages engagement and interaction across our membership/volunteers. Committees and Members are welcome […]

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TS Belair Loop

Walk grade: Trail Starter

Walk Leader: Melanie Fischer

We will explore the western end of the park making a figure 8 loop of about 11 km along three […]

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TW Sturt Gorge Cascades

Walk grade: Trail Walker

Walk Leader: Melanie Fischer

A loop walk with plenty of river crossings and rock scrambling. A short detour to view the picturesque Cascades. Some […]

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Cobbler Hill – Tapanappa

Walk grade: Trail Walker

Walk Leaders: Kristyn Willson, Dean Mortimer, Roz Garrard

This section of the trail offers spectacular scenery as you walk along narrow single file tracks through the dense native […]

View Event page

TS From Skye

Walk grade: Trail Starter

Walk Leader: John Babister

A undulating walk from Skye up a fire track past the entrance into Horsnell Gully Cons. Park prior to following […]

View Event page

View full calendar and find out more about the walk programme.

News

Friends of the Heysen Trail 2026 calendar available for order now. Only $14!

Friends of the Heysen Trail 2026 calendar available for order now. Only $14!You can now order copies of the calendar for only $14.00. We expect to have the calendar available for delivery or pick up in November. Order from our On-line shop or by contacting the office.

Heysen Trail Closure – Cudlee Creek

Heysen Trail Closure – Cudlee CreekSection 15 of the Heysen Trail, specifically the segment between Union Bridge and Tippett Road in Cudlee Creek, is now closed. This closure is effective as of 5pm on Friday the 8th of August 2025 and will remain in place indefinitely. Hikers will need to use Gorge Road and Tippett Road through this section to rejoin the existing trail. Please take care walking on these roads.

Vale David Rattray OAM

Vale David Rattray OAMThe Friends mourn the death of David Rattray, one of our treasured volunteers, who died on July 16th 2025, at the age of 77 years.

Storm Damage at Kings Beach on the WSCW

Storm Damage at Kings Beach on the WSCWStorms have damaged the trail at Kings Beach on the WSCW. FOHT volunteers are working on organising a re-route but in the meantime do take care as you cross that section of the trail.

FOHT new Council & Annual Report 2024

The Friends AGM was held on 16 April 2025. Neil Hendry and Melanie Sjoberg were re-elected as president and vice-president.

The Friends of the Heysen Trail's Trailwalker magazine

Trailwalker Magazine

The magazine published by the Friends of the Heysen Trail in April, August & December. Download the latest Trailwalker issue. View all Trailwalker magazines.
End-to-end walks along the Heysen Trail with the Friends of the Heysen Trail

End-to-End Walks

End-to-end walks are for those wishing to complete the entire Heysen Trail. As the schedule and trail logistics are done by the Friends they are easy for walkers to participate in.

Contact the Friends of the Heysen Trail

Contact

Suite 203, 2nd Floor Epworth Building
33 Pirie Street, Adelaide, South Australia 5000
Australia Phone (08) 8212 6299 heysentrail@heysentrail.asn.au Open Mon-Fri 10.30am - 2.30pm View shop/office map
Walk Program calendar 287

Print Walk Programme

Download an easy-to-print season walk programme. View online walk calendar.