Starting from the roadside car park at Gate 12 on Piggott Range Road, Onkaparinga Hills, this walk takes you on a circuit via the Echidna Hike and Waterfall Spur Tracks. The Echidna Hike takes you on a narrow trail over moderate slopes and through lovely pink gum, grey box and sheoak bushland. Enjoy the winter and spring floral displays, including stunning orchids. You will see the charming stone ruins of an old cottage, have great views of the gorge, and get a good workout. Along the way, a short side track leads to a small waterfall that is incredibly picturesque after heavy rains. The trail is marked with large signs, making it easy to follow. The gradient is gentle, with some slightly rocky sections along the way. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Turn on to Southern Expressway Exit, M2 then drive for 105 m
Turn left onto Main South Road, A13 and drive for another 1.3 km
Turn right and drive for another 185 m
Keep right onto Hepenstal Road and drive for another 20 m
Continue onto Hepenstal Road and drive for another 130 m
Keep right onto Hepenstal Road and drive for another 265 m
Turn right onto Hepenstal Road and drive for another 860 m
Turn sharp left onto Piggott Range Road and drive for another 5.7 km
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started Starting from the roadside car park at Gate 12 on Piggott Range Road(1.20km south of intersection with Coxs Hill Road), head towards the green “Onkaparinga River National Park” signpost along the dirt path. Pass through the gap next to the metal gate and continue straight along the dirt trail as you pass by the informational signposts to your left, moving directly away from the road. After around 100 metres veer left as the trail splits into two to continue along Echidna Hike Circuit.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
After 35 m head through/around the "Gate 18".
Veer left, to head along Nature Trail.
After another 100 m turn left.
After another 335 m continue straight, to head along Echidna Hike.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. A little side trip taking you to a small waterfall, especially picturesque after heavy rain. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip veer left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 920 m (at the intersection of Echidna Hike & Waterfall Spur) continue straight, to head along Echidna Hike.
After another 295 m continue straight, to head along Echidna Hike.
After another 490 m continue straight, to head along Echidna Hike.
After another 530 m (at the intersection of Echidna Hike & Gorge Access Trail) continue straight, to head along Echidna Hike.
After another 25 m (at the intersection of Nature Trail & Echidna Hike) turn right, to head along Nature Trail.
After another 90 m veer left, to head along Nature Trail.
After another 100 m veer right.
After another 30 m come to the end.
A little side trip taking you to a small waterfall, especially picturesque after heavy rain.
Turn map
Directions & comments
At the intersection of Echidna Hike & Waterfall Spur Start heading along Waterfall Spur (a walking track).
After another 200 m come to the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 200 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Echidna Hike
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
3 km
Time
1 h to 1 h 30 min
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (2/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)
Bushwalk
1 h to 1 h 30 min
30 min to 45 min
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After 35 m head through/around the "Gate 18".
After another 100 m veer right.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 200 m to the main route.