Sturt Gorge Recreation Park

Sturt Gorge Recreation Park MTB Trails, around 13–15 km south of Adelaide’s CBD, is one of the city’s standout mountain biking destinations, with more than 40 km of singletrack and shared-use trails spread through the gorge and the adjoining Craigburn Farm area. The riding ranges from easy family-friendly trails through to flowing intermediate singletrack and rocky, technical descents, all amongst grey box woodland, open grasslands, steep gullies and the rugged Sturt River valley. Entry to the park is free. Craigburn Farm is the main hub for purpose-built MTB riding. Easier options include Surf and Turf (1.2 km), Walk the Dog (1.8 km) and Lakeview (1.5 km), while intermediate riders have a great selection including Sidewinder (2.8 km), Gunners Run (3 km), Cow Bones Loop (2 km), Little River (1.5 km) and Horners Corners (2 km). Sidewinder contours along the hillside, while Gunners Run delivers flowing singletrack with plenty of variety and works well in either direction. For more technical riding, Sticks and Stones (1.5 km) features challenging rock gardens, while Craigberms (700 m) packs bermed corners and big dips into a short, fun descent. Longer intermediate adventures can incorporate de Rose Trail, Lomandra Trail, Wattle Trail, Spring Creek and Tapa Turrungka, with some steep climbs and more natural terrain as you move away from the central Craigburn Farm network. The River Trail provides a more adventurous way to explore the gorge, extending for around 8 km through the Sturt River valley and linking with other routes across the park. It includes steep sections and some walking-only portions, so riders need to pay attention to signage rather than assuming the entire trail is bike-accessible. Sturt Gorge is also geologically significant. The park protects Sturt Tillite, rock formed from glacial material around 800 million years ago, as well as nationally threatened grey box grassy woodland. This combination of natural history and surprisingly rugged terrain makes the park feel far removed from suburban Adelaide despite being only a short drive from the CBD. RTS Tip: For your first visit, start in Craigburn Farm and link Sidewinder, Gunners Run and Cow Bones Loop for a good taste of the network before progressing to Sticks and Stones or Craigberms. If you want a bigger adventure, use the connecting trails to explore deeper into Sturt Gorge — but download the official map first, as some routes contain walking-only sections. Many trails are shared with walkers and horse riders, and cyclists must give way. Avoid riding when trails are wet or muddy, and remember the park closes on Catastrophic Fire Danger days and may also close on Extreme days.