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- Adelaide Hills Amy Gillett Rail Trail
Adelaide Hills Amy Gillett Rail Trail - Trail Description
Trail
Adelaide Hills Amy Gillett Rail Trail
| Type: | Rail trail |
| Location: | Mount Lofty ranges, 49km from Adelaide |
| Start/end: | Oakbank to Mt Torrens |
| Status: | Open |
| Length open: | 16km |
| Surface: | Sealed |
| Terrain: | Flat |
| Best seasons: | All |
| Public transport: | Coach |
| Features: | wineries, tourist |
| Contact Region: | South Australia |
Details
Features
- A high quality trail close to Adelaide
- Potential to extend to Mt Pleasant - 32km in total
- Picturesque ride in Adelaide Hills district
Options
- Short scenic ride loops in the Oakbank and Woodside district
- Check out the old German town of Hahndorf
- Melbas chocolate factory on the trail at Woodside
- Check out the fantastic National Motor Museum at Birdwood
- Check out the many wineries in the nearby area
- Rail journeys on steam train from Mt Barker
Support Services
Bike About Cycling Tours
Adelaide's Mountain Bike Tours and Hire Specialists
Description
- This is a very picturesque 16km long rail trail very near to Adelaide. It will be 32km long when fully developed all the way to Mt Pleasant.
- The entire length has a sealed surface and is open to walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
- It is named in memory of Amy Gillett, a South Australian cyclist killed in a training accident in Germany in 2005.
Oakbank to Woodside (4.5km)
- This first stage of the trail opened in January 2010, and actually starts at the end of Elizabeth St in Oakbank where the old railway station once stood
- The first section of the trail is on-road on the Onkaparinga Valley Highway for about 1km towards Woodside
- The trail is then a smooth sealed surface that follows the old rail alignment for 3.5km
- The trail ends at the Woodside Bowling Club.
- You can access the next section of the trail by crossing the highway and using the new trail behind the main shopping centre
The new section joins the next section at Verco Rd
Woodside to Charleston (5km)
- This section of trail was opened in June 2011.
- Access at the village of Woodside is at the end of Verco Rd on the northern side of town.
- Access at Charleston is off Newmans Rd.
Charleston to Mt Torrens (7km)
- This section of trail was opened in May 2014 and features scenic farmland, traverses some deep shady cuttings and high embankments
- It is a steady climb from Charlston to the road crossing at Mt Torrens
- The trail currently ends at Oval Rd on the north side of Mt Torrens
Background Information
The railway line from Balhannah to Mt Pleasant was opened in 1918 and closed in 1964. The former corridor between Balhannah and Oakbank has mostly returned to private landowners.
The Friends of the Adelaide Hills Rail Trail was formed in 2007 to assist the development of the rail trail. Please refer to the link below for their details.
Links
For further information
www.adelaidehillsrailtrail.org.au
The trail is managed by Dept Planning, Transport and Infrastructure. To report any issues or problems please contact
or phone 1800 018 313
Other Support Services and Attractions
Bikeabout
Bike hire and shop 80 Onkaprariga Valley Rd Woodside - where your turn on the trail route
April 2016
To advertise your rail trail support business on this page, please click here.
Contact Us About This Trail
Email or click here: sa@railtrails.org.au.
Photos
Adelaide Hills Amy Gillett Rail Trail - Photos
Comments
Comments
27 January , 2016 by nickbarker
Did this trail this Australia Day with our little one in tow in a trailer. Its a nice trail but is lacking in amenities/shady shelters and has a couple of annoying gaps. The trail surface is great and smooth the whole way but there are a couple of busy on road sections which get a bit scary when towing a baby in a trailer.... The trail also just 'ends' on the outskirts of Mount Torrens. My suggestions would be... A nice little cafe/kiosk in Woodside next to the jumps park and rail trail - would be a little gold mine for whoever takes this on.... Some sort of sign at the end near Mount Torrens A continuation of the trail through to Mount Pleasant! Was a nice way to spend the day though :)
28 May , 2015 by Binnari
Found this trail while exploring the hills. As I came from NSW and had the bike in the vehicle. Asked at the local bike shop and the brochure I was given was out of date. Found it much longer than I thought had a great ride along length. Looks like it is about time this site was updated to show the current length of the ride. Some form of printed info available at shops and information centres would help those who are not locals.
05 May , 2014 by
Rode this excellent trail yesterday. Rang my bell whenever I saw a pedestrian, but the people without their dogs on leads was a real worry. I was scared they would run under my wheel and bring me down. There would be tears if the dog was hurt I imagine
19 July , 2013 by Steve Manoel
Totally agree with you Greyhoundlover, I personally sound the bell on my bike when approaching other trail users regardless of what mode of transport they are using. Also looking forward to using the next section when it is complete.
09 June , 2013 by Greyhoundlover
I seem to be the only one offering comments, but here is a suggestion. At all access points to the trail, I would like to see a notice requesting cyclists to give some warning when approaching people on foot or horseback from behind. On that smooth surface it is impossible to hear bicycles coming. I am amazed there have been no accidents.... a startled dog or horse will swing around to face a perceived threat, could push its owner / rider into the path of bikes. Please give this some consideration.
06 June , 2013 by Greyhoundlover
Thanks for that, I was quite puzzled but think I have seen that sign. Will look for it next time. I'm looking forward to walking the new section when it's finished, Great work!
31 May , 2013 by gbull
The trail extension starts in Newman Road about 50 metres to the east of the existing trail. Look for a stobie pole with HANSON Lot 102 written on it. The driveway by the pole is the access road.
26 May , 2013 by Greyhoundlover
Love the trail! I live in Birdwood & often drive to Charleston to walk my greyhound on it. I see that work is underway for the Charleston to Mt Torrens section... lovely, I can't wait! But I have been trying to workout where in Charleston that section starts & so far I can't find it. Can anyone enlighten me?
News
News
Stage 3 of the Adelaide Hills Amy Gillet Rail Trail Opening
(Posted: 04/05/14)
The next 7km section of the rail trail between Charleston and Mt Torrens will be officially opened on Tuesday 13th May 2014
More...Adelaide Hills Rail Trail Link Open
(Posted: 17/06/12)
The gap between the two existing sections of the Adelaide Hills Rail Trail completed and construction of the next section to start. More...
Amy Gillett Rail Trail (Stage 1) Official Opening (SA)
(Posted: 20/01/10)
The Amy Gillett Rail Trail (Stage 1) Official Opening will be held on Saturday 23 Jan.
More...Funding for the Adelaide Hills Rail Trail Announced
(Posted: 28/01/09)
The South Australian state government has announced $1 million in funding to build the first stage of this rail trail.
More...Adelaide Hills Rail Trail (SA) Committee Formation Meeting
(Posted: 17/11/07)
The first AGM for this committee supporting the development of this rail trail will be held on Monday 19th November at Balhannah. More...