Larapinta Trail

Stretching 223 kilometres along the spine of the West MacDonnell Ranges, the Larapinta Trail is one of Australia's great desert walks. This world-class trek threads through ancient gorges, past permanent waterholes and across spinifex-covered ridges, offering a profound immersion in Arrernte country. The trail is divided into 12 sections, each revealing a different face of the Central Australian landscape — from the sheer walls of Ormiston Pound to the ethereal expanse of the Finke River. Whether you tackle a single day-walk or the full 14- to 16-day traverse, the Larapinta Trail rewards with a sense of solitude and raw beauty that few places can match.

Highlights & What to See

• Standley Chasm – A narrow cleft of red quartzite that glows fire-orange at midday; a short, easy walk from the car park.
• Simpsons Gap – A dramatic chasm framed by ghost gums and permanent water, often visited by black-footed rock-wallabies.
• Ormiston Pound & Gorge – A vast natural amphitheatre with a 7 km loop walk past waterholes and through the pound’s rocky floor.
• Mount Sonder – The trail's western terminus and a classic sunrise hike; the 360-degree views over the ranges are unforgettable.
• Ellery Creek Big Hole – A deep, cool waterhole surrounded by red cliffs, perfect for a refreshing dip after a hot walk.
• Glen Helen Gorge – A permanent waterhole where the Finke River cuts through the range; the gorge walk offers excellent birdwatching.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors experience the Larapinta Trail on day walks of 2–4 hours from Alice Springs, but to really absorb its spirit, allow 3–5 days for a multi-day section hike. The full end-to-end walk typically takes 14–16 days, with resupply points at Standley Chasm, Glen Helen and Redbank Gorge. If you're short on time, the Ormiston Pound walk (half-day) combined with a sunrise at Mount Sonder (start at 4am) gives a brilliant taste of the trail's diversity. Plan your trip in the cooler months (April–September), when daytime temperatures are manageable.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Kings Canyon – A spectacular sandstone canyon with the famous Rim Walk, about 3 hours west via the Mereenie Loop.
• Alice Springs – The trail's eastern gateway and cultural hub, offering supplies, tours and the Alice Springs Desert Park.
• West MacDonnell National Park – The entire range that the trail traverses, with multiple accessible gorges, waterholes and picnic spots.
• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park – A 5-hour drive southwest; combine the red-centre icons of Uluru and Kata Tjuta with your Larapinta experience.
• Finke River – One of the world's oldest rivers; explore its dry bed and ancient floodplains near Glen Helen or Hermannsburg.

Please check official sources for current details.