New Mt Lofty Summit walking and cycling trail officially opens

South Australia's new 3.8 kilometre Steub Trail which begins at Cleland Wildlife Park in the Adelaide Hills and gently climbs through forest woodlands on its way to Mount Lofty Summit has officially opened.

The shared-use trail named in honour of park benefactor, Ludwig Reinwald Steub, has been designed with gentle, low-gradient access making it possible for those with reduced mobility to reach the summit without having to use the steeper Waterfall Gully trail.

South Australian Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs, who officially opened the Steub Trail today said the project was made possible thanks to a $550,000 bequest from Ludwig Reinwald Steub to Cleland Conservation Park.

Minister Speirs notes “this is an exciting day for South Australians who enjoy getting outdoors with the opening of a new walking and cycling trail in the Adelaide Hills.

“We know the Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty Summit is one of South Australia’s most popular walking trails, with around 600,000 people using it per year.

“The Steub Trail was designed to provide an alternative for families with small children or people with reduced mobility to travel between the two sites without having to walk along the steeper Waterfall Gully Trail.

SA Deputy Premier and Member for Bragg Vickie Chapman added “the opening of the trail as well as our recently finished $5 million upgrade of the Waterfall Gully trail will make it safer and easier for those wanting to explore Mount Lofty.

“The gently sloping Steub Trail provides a relaxing alternative to enjoy the beauty of the park and views of gullies and Adelaide by bike or by foot.

“We already know the popularity of the Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty Summit trail and I expect this new trail will quickly become another favourite for South Australians.”

Steub Trail Facts

• The return trail is 7.7 kilometres long and will take around three hours to travel.

• Prams, bikes and people can all access the trail.

• Native animals such as bandicoots, echidnas, yellow-tailed cockatoos and kangaroos have all been spotted on the trail.

• The trail is surfaced with approximately 450 metre3 of recycled asphalt material, reclaimed from roads, pavements and car parks.

Image top: Walking the Steub Trail from Cleland Conservation Park to Mt Lofty Summit; image above Steub Trail boardwalk. Images courtesy of Walking SA