OurTripDreaming: Larapinta Trail Track Surface (Larapinta)

In terms of navigation - the trail is well marked with the famous blue arrows. We walked late in the season, and the path had been well travelled making it quite easy to follow, even if we hadn't had markers. Early in the season, with long grass, there are spots where it could be difficult to find. Some parts, in the gorges and along narrow ridgetops are a bit of a "choose your own adventure". You can't really get lost in these parts as you either have vertical walls either side (in the gorges), or near vertical drops off either side (on the ridgetops). The Avenza app and free maps were great for confirming we were on track, and how far along the planned walk we were. There is one for each section, plus one for the trail overall. In some places there are temporary blue plastic track markers on wire poles - such as where there have been fires. In some places the blue arrows are on trees or on rocks.

Temporary blue marker

Arrow on rock and then next one on pole

One of the things I was keen to know about before doing the Larapinta was what the track surface was like. Having finished - I would say varied, but generally more technical underfoot than most other trails I have done. There are significant areas where you need to watch where you are putting your feet consistently. To enjoy the view, it is often safest to stop moving, look around, and then move on again. This adds time, particularly for those of us who like to take photographs!

The trail can be sandy, smooth rocks, very jagged rocks, rocks sticking up in the middle of the trail. Overall, it is generally quite hard (as in not soft, not as in challenging) underfoot.

If you are afraid of heights, this may not be the trail for you as there are some solid ascents and descents, some of which are quite close to the edge.

I have included some photos of the trail from each section. These are simply to show the track surface, for more information on the section please see our daily posts.

Section 1 - Alice Springs Telegraph Station to Simpsons Gap

Lumpy and technical

Yes, it is going up that next ridge

Close to the edge in spots

Some easy bits

Section 2 - Simpsons Gap to Jay Creek

A lot of the trail is like this, needing to be aware of where your feet are and the rocks randomly protruding up out of the path

The trail can be smooth

or not

Section 3 - Jay Creek to Standley Chasm

High Route - pay attention to your feet

Some of the descents are solid

and some need hands, not just poles

The path is straight down the middle of this

That solid clamber is the path

Awesome steppingstones on the descent to Standley Chasm

Section 4 - Standley Chasm to 4/5 Junction (Birthday Waterhole)

Pick your own path along the creek

Along the ridgetop - yes that is the trail!

Quite close to the edge in spots

Pretty and easy

Section 5 - 4/5 Junction (Birthday Waterhole) to Hugh Gorge

Pretty, but lots of round rocks

Choose your own adventure

This section is mainly boulders for a stretch and is solid going for about 90 minutes

There is a person on the trail towards the top left just above the bush in the mid ground

If you zoom in enough you can see people on the trail descending the spine that runs down at a 45 degree angle - they are almost at the bottom of the spine. This is one of the most hair raising sections of the Larapinta Trail, the track goes the whole length of that spine and some spots were easier to get down (if you are only 5 foot like me) by sitting down than stepping down!