The Coast to Vines Rail Trail consists of three sections that are quite different in terms of scenery and topography:

• Marino Rocks to Old Reynella is 9.4 km and climbs steadily from the coast, heading inland along steep gullies but still within suburbia
• Old Reynella to McLaren Vale is 20 km and travels south along the old rail reserve before it crosses beneath South Rd into open farmland
• McLaren Vale to Willunga (also known as the Shiraz Trail is 8 km and displays the best of the Southern Vales wine region, including the townships of McLaren Vale and Willunga

McLaren Vale and Willunga combine the tourism features you would expect from a famous wine region with an un-rushed atmosphere. Both offer extensive dining and accommodation options. Visit the McLaren Vale Information Centre, on the trail as you approach McLaren Vale, for all the touring information you will need.

Marino Rocks to Old Reynella (9.4 km)

• From the railway station, the trail runs south beside the operational railway to Hallett Cove and then follows the alignment of the old Willunga Line. Frequent stops will be needed to take in the ocean views
• At Hallett Cove Station, follow the signage through the area (walk your bike) to the ramp at the southern end, which leads you to a pedestrian overpass. Now the path gradually swings to the east. Follow it uphill to Gledsdale Rd, opposite Hallett Cove Mall
• The trail follows a deep gully and waterfall creek. Glade Crescent Reserve has a playground and toilets.
• Cross Lonsdale Rd at the lights, then follow the old railway line alignment through the scenic Hugh Johnson Boulevard Reserve. Just beyond the Young St crossing you reach the highest point on the trail.
• The trail passes beneath the Southern Expressway, then beneath the Main South Rd bridge and climbs to busy Old South Rd where you cross at the lights. The path follows Old South Rd to the right for a short distance before rejoining the rail alignment.

Old Reynella to McLaren Vale (20 km)

• From here the trail runs in a wide, well-vegetated reserve through the suburbs, linking conservation reserves and parks. Major road crossings have traffic islands or lights
• After Hackham, the scenery becomes more rural as it descends to Noarlunga Downs
• There the trail crosses the Onkaparinga River on a restored bridge (watch for the sewer vent pipe in the middle of the path on the approach) and, after another 600 m, it reaches Railway Rd
• The trail runs next to the electrified railway, passing the newish stations of Seaford and Seaford Meadows
• The trail climbs to the Seaford Rise estate before turning east into Pedler Creek valley. From here it becomes a rural landscape of rolling hills
• At the end of the valley the trail joins a pathway beside Victor Harbor Rd for 250 m before passing beneath it to emerge beside Main Rd, McLaren Vale. Take care; the underpass decking has blind corners and can be slippery when wet
• The visitor information centre is well worth a stop for its great display about the region
• The trail crosses Main Rd onto Caffrey St for 300 m, then turns left. Cross Main Rd as you reach the Almond Train, old railway carriages that have been converted into a gift shop
• There are many shops and bakeries in McLaren Vale
• Toilets at Memorial Reserve, 270 m south of the Almond Train on opposite side of road

McLaren Vale to Willunga (8 km)

• The trail continues on an uninterrupted, gentle climb to Willunga bearing the name Shiraz Trail. There are many wild olive trees beside the trail and you are surrounded by vineyards
• Willunga has a well-preserved railway station and the township is a few hundred metres away
• Visit the Old Willunga Courthouse and Police Station Museum, rose gardens, nurseries and the Willunga Wirra Arboretum

CONNECTING PATHS

• The Flat to Vale Trail is short at 4km but the scenery will leave a lasting impression. It  follows a shared path along Pedler Creek, with tall eucalypts on one side and rambling vineyards on the other. Just before reaching the McLaren Flat township, the trail follows Chalk Hill Rd, a quiet back lane ideal for cycling and walking. The trail is sealed and flat so it’s suitable for cyclists of all ages. Once in McLaren Flat you can use the footpath to ride into the town and to the general store/bakery in the middle of Main St. The PG Dawson Reserve and toilets are conveniently located nearby. The trail starts from the Shiraz section of the Coast to Vines Rail Trail at the site of the McLaren Vale Railway Station located on Railway Tce  and ends in McLaren Flat. The best return route is the way you came.
• The Coast to Vines and Shiraz rail trails now form more than half of the 28km Southern Vales Loop Trail. The shared-use path section from Seaford Rise to Aldinga follows the alignment of Main South Rd. There is a small section  on the very quiet Old South Rd, followed by a busy section through Aldinga, where it is best to walk your bike along the footpath. The shared-use path starts again on the southern side of Port Rd and the trail crosses over Main South Rd. Once over that, the trail follows the quiet but sealed Flour Mill Rd and Free Lane before turning left onto Aldinga Rd. This section follows a shared-use path on the northern side of Aldinga Rd that is separated from the traffic by a raised median strip. The shared-use path finishes at Jay Drive, so if it’s busy, use the footpath for 400m. The Willunga Jubilee Rose Garden will be on the left, enter the car park and follow the path adjacent to the toilets until you meet the Shiraz Rail Trail at the old Willunga Railway Station. The Shiraz trail connects with the Coast to Vines Trail at McLaren Vale
• Patrick Jonker Bikeway is a 20km sealed, shared-use path that follows the Southern Expressway from Darlington to Noarlunga. The bikeway offers plenty of climbs as you head south, and connects with the Coast to Vines Rail Trail at the Panalatinga Rd exit from the expressway and also at the southern end of the expressway, just north of the Onkaparinga River bridge. The northern end also intersects with the Sturt River Linear Trail just north of the trail’s crossing point at Marion Rd. Cycle Instead (maps.sa.gov.au) provides a good overview of Adelaide’s cycling network, including the Patrick Yonkers Bikeway, Sturt River Linear Park Trail and the Coast to Vines Rail Trail.