Conquering the Larapinta Trail: 223 km of outback adventure

Conquer the Larapinta Trail: 223 km of Central Australian outback adventure

Hiking, Northern Territory, Planning, Trail Guide

Tackle Central Australia’s Larapinta Trail: 223 km of desert landscapes, challenging terrain, bush camps, and breathtaking outback views.

A complete guide to Central Australia’s rugged outback adventure

In late August 2023, we laced up our hiking boots and hit the Northern Territory’s iconic Larapinta Trail.

We followed the rugged, rocky spine of the West MacDonnell Ranges for over 230km from Alice Springs to Mount Sonder, carrying everything we needed on our backs and sleeping under the stars for 14 unforgettable days.

From sweeping views atop Chewings Range and Counts Point to the dramatic gorges of Ormiston and Serpentine, the trail had us in awe at every turn.

It’s stunning, but tough country—and we had our fair share of challenges: a dead mattress on Day 3, blistered feet, and a desperate search for water.

But man was it spectacular.

If you’re thinking about tackling the Larapinta, you have our vote—just do it!

Here’s everything you need to know to get trail ready.

Our itinerary

*At the time we hiked the Larapinta, camping outside of formal campgrounds was permitted. Our itinerary reflects this.

Today, hikers must camp only in designated campgrounds, with the only exemption being in the case of an emergency, injury or illness.

Day 1: Alice Springs township (via Telegraph Station) – Hat Hill Saddle (27.9km)
Day 2: Hat Hill Saddle – Mulga Camp (18.5km)
Day 3: Mulga Camp – Pravda Spur (16km) *high route
Day 4: Pravda Spur – Standley Chasm (8km)
Day 5: Standley Chasm – Birthday Waterhole (17.9km)
Day 6: Birthday Waterhole – Fringe Lily Creek (16.8km)
Day 7: Fringe Lily Creek – Rocky Gully (23.4km)
Day 8: Rocky Gully – Serpentine Gorge (26.4km)
Day 9: Serpentine Gorge – Serpentine Chalet Dam (13km)
Day 10: Serpentine Chalet Dam – Hermit’s Hideaway (Mt Giles Lookout) (17km)
Day 11: Hermit’s Hideaway (Mt Giles Lookout) – Ormiston Gorge (13.4km)
Day 12: Ormiston Gorge – Hill Top Lookout (via Glen Helen gorge) (20.5 km)
Day 13: Hill Top Lookout – Redbank Gorge (Mt Sonder side trip) (31.8km)
Total distance: 250.6km

Lessons Learned

Our third—and at the time, longest—multi-day hike, the Larapinta, was a masterclass in planning, preparedness and respecting the land.

Dehydration strikes fast. We had planned to find a water tank at a certain point—but it wasn’t there. With less than 500 ml each, the early signs of dehydration creeping in, and a long, hot walk ahead, we had no choice but to hunt for water. Using our trail notes, we finally found a dark, shallow pool teeming with leeches—but after filtering and treating it, we were back in business.
Spinifex is not your friend. Inflating a mattress next to a spinifex bush turned into a nightmare. Countless tiny holes made it impossible to repair, forcing us to sleep on the rugged earth for ten nights straight.
Getting your shoe and sock combo right prevents blisters. After the Larapinta, where we both suffered multiple painful blisters, we increased our shoe size by half a size to allow for swelling and started wearing toe sock liners—game changer.
The burgers might be better at Hungry Jacks, but they’re absolutely insatiable at Standley Chasm and a complete mood lifter. Make the time to stop and enjoy these opportunities.
Pack tampons (enough said). Or use woolen socks as a desperate backup.
Camping high on the range (aka Pravda Spur) is an unforgettable experience and well worth the climb. Watching the sun rise and set from this ridge makes you feel alive, wild, and like anything is possible.

Key facts & figures

Rugged ridges, blazing sunsets, and endless horizons—the Larapinta Trail is a wild outback journey that tests your endurance and rewards you with an unforgettable adventure.

Distance: 223 km
Duration: 12-16 days (on average)
Trail type: End-to-end
Difficulty: Challenging (Grade 5)
Permit: Campsite/trail bookings required
Season: April – September
Total elevation gain: 7,845m (with side trips)
Highest point: 1,380m
Water: Natural sources & 15+ maintained tanks
Camping style: Campgrounds, bush spots & serviced facilities
Infrastructure: Tanks, toilets, shelter & signage at trailheads
Mobile reception: Minimal, unreliable, mostly no signal

Transport & logistics

Interstate transport: Flew into Alice Springs from Adelaide.
Provisions: Final food supplies from Woolworths, gas from Lone Dingo, and food drop storage boxes from Kmart.
Accommodation: Stayed at Alice’s Secret Travellers Inn in a private room (~$100). Affordable, cheerful, and well-equipped.
Trail access: Walked 5 km from accommodation to the trailhead.
Food drops & pick-up: Outback Elite Tours (now defunct) handled three food drops and trail-end pickup at Redbank Gorge. Note: Larapinta Express is now the primary service provider.

Trail highlights

Traversing the dramatic Razorback Ridge
Cooling off at Ormiston Gorge
Camping atop Pravda Spur
Dramatic Counts Point ridgeline views
Taking in the sunset from Mount Sonder
Mouthwatering burgers at Standley Chasm
Epic Mt Giles view from Hermit’s Hideaway
Standing beneath towering Standley Chasm

Why hike the Larapinta Trail?

Immerse yourself in the raw, remote, untamed outback
Conquer epic ridges and gorges of the West MacDonnell Ranges
Test your endurance on challenging, rugged terrain
Marvel at dramatic landscapes from Razorback Ridge to Mount Sonder
Refresh in desert waterholes tucked among the ranges
Take in epic sunsets from the trail’s ridges and gorges

Skill level & preparation

You should be comfortable with:

A remote and physically demanding trail
Multi-day hiking with a full pack
Route-finding and navigation (markers are minimal)
River and creek crossings
Remote, undeveloped camping spots for a largely, wilderness experience
Complete self-sufficiency with no emergency facilities

Permits & bookings

Permits required: A Parks Pass is needed to hike the Larapinta Trail
Advance booking: All hikes must be booked in advance (up to 12 months), and campsites up to 6 months, via the NT Parks system
Walking fees: $25 per night, capped at $125 for hikes longer than five nights
Camping fees: Most campsites are Category B—$10 per adult per night (includes wild sites like Brinkley Bluff and Counts Point)
Private/drive-in camps: Standley Chasm (private) and Ormiston Gorge (public) have separate fees payable on arrival
Food drops & logistics: Arrange in advance if using services like Larapinta Express
Peak season planning: Book early for winter and school holidays

When to go

Best time: May to September
Why: Cooler, dry weather with ideal temperatures for walking and camping (daytime highs up to ~24°C, overnight lows down to ~-5°C)
Avoid: Spring/wet season and summer
Why: Heavy rain in spring and scorching temperatures in summer make hiking challenging
Note: Hiking outside the main season is only recommended for extremely experienced and well-prepared walkers

How it compares

Vs. Overland Track (TAS)
A shorter alpine trail, with flash huts, more reliable water, and unstable weather (i.e. snow in summer. Both popular and require advanced. bookings.
Insider tip: If you’ve hiked the Larapinta Trail, the Overland Track is a must for a contrasting experience—and vice versa.
Vs. Cape to Cape Track (WA)
Shorter (one week vs two) coastal trail, far less remote (passing through several buzzing seaside towns). Bookings not required.

Final Word: Who This Trail Is For

The Larapinta Trail is for experienced hikers seeking a true outback adventure, who are prepared for long days over rugged ridges, steep inclines, remote bush camps, and variable desert conditions. This trail rewards self-reliance, endurance, and a love of wide-open, dramatic landscapes.