The Larapinta Trail Hike in Australia is one of the most iconic hiking trails in the world. The trail stretches over 223 kilometers through the deserted mountains of Australia, including the heart of Tjoritja / West MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia.
Your journey starts outside Alice Springs and meanders through the varied landscape featuring red desert plains, riverbeds, and rugged mountain peaks. As you complete your day’s adventure, there will be a private campsite waiting for you to lie down and rest.
Key Highlights of the Larapinta Trail hike include Mount Sonder at 1,380 meters (4,530 ft) above sea level, Ormiston Gorge, Simpsons Gap and Ellery Creek Big Hole, Unique Flora and Fauna, including over 600 plant species, rare birds, and native wildlife. In addition, you can also learn from the local Aboriginal guides and immerse in their spiritual and cultural significance.
Why Choose the Larapinta Trail Hike?
If you are ready for the unmatched desert scenery and true connection to the Aboriginal background, the Larapinta Trail Hike is the ideal option. It stands as one of the world’s best long-distance arid-zone walks by the Australian Geographic and traverses the sacred Arrernte lands.
During the journey, travelers can enjoy stunning views of the glowing sunrise and sunset on the red ranges, breathtaking gorges, and natural swimming pools that make your journey worth it.
Larapinta Trail Hike Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Alice Springs
| Accommodation | Hotel |
| Meals | Dinner |
On the first day of the Larapinta Trail Hike, you will be at Alice Springs. You must prepare your gear and equipment at your hotel and then meet your tour leader. If you are a solo traveller, you must manage all your items and logistics by yourself.
If you are going on a group or family trek, then your leader will brief you about the Larapinta Trek. You will get detailed insights about the hike that runs for the next seven days. The activities include hiking, camping, and swimming in the bare natural wonders of Australia. Be prepared for the exciting journey ahead of you today!
Note To Hikers:
If you are traveling via travel agencies, it’s very important to attend the welcome orientation, where you can learn about Larapinta’s landscapes and trail conditions. Also, we recommend you collect travel insurance and get emergency contact details during the first day of the Larapinta Trail Hike.
Day 2: Larapinta Trail
| Accommodation | Private Campsite |
| Meals | Lunch | Dinner |
The second day starts with a warm breakfast in your hotel, after which you will get on with the local Aboriginal walking guides. Your tour leader and drivers will accompany you along the way.
After that, the route heads towards the start of the trail at the West MacDonnell Ranges. It is also called Tjoritja in the language of the Western Arrernte people. As you get to this point, you can experience the stunning views of the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station and also the endless snow-covered mountain ranges.
From there, Section 1 of the Larapinta Trail begins. This section stretches over 14 km in distance, which reaches Wallaby Gap in the end. The total hiking time for the second day is around 5 to 7 hours.
Upon reaching Wallaby Gap, you can take a rest at the private campsite. This is the accommodation facility for the next four days during the journey, where you can settle with your group by the campfire.
Note To Hikers:
Be prepared with trekking gear like hiking poles, sturdy boots, and others since this 14 km trail takes anywhere from 5 to 7 hours to complete. Be fully prepared as you will experience the difficulty level of Grade 4 that comes with some steep ascents and descents.
Day 3: Larapinta Trail
| Accommodation | Private Campsite |
| Meals | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
The Larapinta Trail hike on the third day’s journey starts with a scenic walk along the Serpentine Ridge. This lies in section 8 of this trail that brings adventure and thrill to your journey.
First, the base of the Serpentine Gorge welcomes you with its exciting and wonderful vistas. As you make your way to the top of the ridge, you must hike through the landscapes of Mountain Hakae, which looks magnificent with the covers of the pink, alien-like bush flowers of the Outback.
Once you reach the top of the ridge, you can take a break and explore the views of the surroundings. It includes views across the red desert landscapes, Haasts Bluff, and Mt. Zeil. Mount Zeil is the highest point in the Northern Territory, which stands at an altitude of 1,531 meters above sea level.
With the help of your guides, you can learn several historical and cultural stories embedded in this region. You can learn how the Irbanga [Fish] ancestors travelled through Australia and the importance of the Eritja (eagle) and Takuia (mouse) Dreaming.
One of the major attractions on this day is Counts Point, which offers a great landscape for photography. After that, you can return to Serpentine Chalet Dam and rest in your private campsite overnight.
Note To Hikers:
The total walking distance is 14 km today, which is considered to be Grade 4. It means that this phase of hike is moderate to challenging in difficulty and it takes around 6 hours to complete. Prepare well for the exciting journey.
Day 4: Larapinta Trail
| Accommodation | Private Campsite |
| Meals | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
Today’s journey is another fruitful hike to the Larapinta Trail in Australia. As the fourth day comes on, you will start your hike with a walk to the Ormiston Gorge Pound. It is a scenic trail that gives you an opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Central Australia.
While on the journey, you can immerse into the local stories of the Argutja Unthippa (dancing ladies) from your guides. You can understand what it represents in the local community with their help.
During the hike, you will also get plenty of time to rejuvenate in the swimming holes before you get on a journey to Ochre Pits in the afternoon. After exploring the swimming places and the Ochre Pits, you can head back to the campsite for dinner in the evening.
Note To Hikers:
The total hiking distance is approximately 9 km. It is rated Grade 3 or moderate trail in difficulty level, and it takes anywhere from 4 to 5 hours to complete this hike.
Day 5: Larapinta Trail/Mt. Sonder
| Accommodation | Campsite |
| Meals | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
The journey starts early in the morning as you head towards Redbank Gorge. You will begin your hike early in the dark to the top of Mount Sonder (or Rutjupma) via section 12 of the Larapinta Trail in Australia.
You will need to hike uphill through some steep sections first. After that, the trail gets more navigable and takes you to the top. From there, you can have a 360-degree view of the sunrise over the horizon, lighting up the desert below in a golden hue.
Your tour leader will help you explore notable landmarks and share insights on how the Argutja Unthippa (dancing ladies) created and transformed the MacDonnell Ranges. You can also learn how the Kulaia (Rainbow Serpent) lived on the top of Mount Sonder and moved down to Redbank Gorge.
After exploring the surroundings, it’s time to head back to the valley below. You can explore the nearby locations or relax at the campsite in the afternoon.
Note To Hikers:
The total hiking distance is approximately 16 km, which takes 6 to 8 hours in total. The difficulty level of today’s trek is moderate to challenging, rated as Grade 4.
Day 6: Larapinta Trail/ Alice Springs
| Accommodation | Hotel |
| Meals | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
Day 6 marks the last day of the Larapinta Trail Hike in Australia. Early in the morning, you will head to Standley Chasm for Reveal Saddle Walk via section 4. This hike offers the stunning vistas of the Western MacDonnel Ranges, standing with their mighty glory.
The trail stretches towards the dry riverside along the rocky and rugged terrain. Then, it climbs uphill through a valley towards Reveal Saddle. You can see majestic rock layers during the journey and also come across Standley Chasm – a sacred women’s site.
After the completion of today’s journey, you will make your way to your respective hotel in Alice Springs for overnight stay.
Day 7: Alice Springs
| Accommodation | N/A |
| Meals | N/A |
Your Larapinta Trail hike comes to an end on the seventh day. There are no further activities planned today so that you will bid farewell to this beautiful destination. You can head back to the airport to make a flight back to your home country or extend your stay.
Essential Information For Larapinta Trail Hike
Difficulty Level of The Trek
The Larapinta Trail Hike in Australia is considered a moderate to challenging journey, rated from Grade 3 to 4. This trek covers an average hike distance of around 12 to 15 km per day. Daily activities include walking through the rocky and rugged terrains carrying your backpack. So, you must be physically prepared to take on this journey.
Accommodation
Most of the nights are spent in a private campsite, which comes with a tent and a stretcher bed along with an Australian-style sleeping mattress. If you are an independent traveler, you must carry your tent for an overnight stay.
You can also book a sleeping advance, which costs you a little bit of extra cost. During the summer seasons, your stay will be chilling in the campsite for resting at night. But the winter season brings the temperature down to zero, which indicates the requirement of sleeping bags, and thermal clothes.
Campsites also provide shared latrines and shower blocks, so you don’t have to worry about these things.
Electricity
Travelers won’t go out of electricity during their stay at campsites. The camps you stay in are powered by solar power, and you will get multiple outlets for charging your gadgets and electronic devices. However, we do recommend you bring a power bank to charge your devices during the hike.
Passport
If you are traveling from outside Australia, you must have a valid passport to begin your Larapinta Trail Hike. The passport must have a minimum validity of 6 months. To get rid of any legal issues, we recommend you carry a copy of your passport while traveling.
Visa and Entry Requirements
Most countries in the world require a visa to travel, and the same goes for this journey. It is very important to check your visa requirements before you book your trip to Larapinta Trail. Ensure that you have prepared your documents and advanced for visa application.
All travelers from around the world, except for New Zealand citizens, must acquire a visa before traveling to Australia. You can also acquire the Electronic Travel authority via the Internet before you arrive for the journey.
Transportation
For your journey to the West MacDonnell Ranges, you will travel in a comfortable tourist bus, which offers modern amenities. If you are a solo traveler, you can take the local bus services. To know more about their timing, you can refer to this link.
Platforms like Larapinta Express also offer transportation services at different costs. You can check the availability with the price range from this link.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to walk the whole Larapinta Trail?
The Larapinta Trail Hike takes anywhere from 7 days to 20 days. In this package, we have prepared a 7 days itinerary for you that covers some of the scenic landscapes around.
Can you walk the Larapinta Trail on your own?
Yes, you can go on the Larapinta Trail independently. But the important thing to understand is that you must prepare essentials all by yourself, including logistics, accommodations, and transportation.
Is the Larapinta Trail hard?
The difficulty level of the Larapinta Trail Hike in Australia is considered moderate to challenging. Travelers must be physically fit and endure some of the hardest hikes through the rocky and rugged terrains.
Is Larapinta Trail Hike Feasible for Family Travel?
Yes, the Larapinta Trail Hike in Australia is best for Family Travel but you must be very careful with its difficulty level. Be prepared with the physical demands, travel gears, clothes, and other other essentials, so that you can make a beautiful experience to add to your family story.