Murray Bridge to Clare on the Lavender Federation Trail
Graham Hallandal breaks down the start of a long journey to Clare for the Friends of the Heysen Trail.
To most of us living in the Murraylands, getting to Clare would involve setting aside several hours driving time, plus a stop on the way for a coffee and break – maybe half a day for a leisurely trip.
Over the past weeks, two groups have set off from Murray Bridge with Clare as the destination but taking much longer for the journey.
The first group plans reaching Clare in early August; the second group late next year.
The reason for the slow journey?
They are walking to Clare.
It's a 325-kilometre linear trail that follows predominantly the eastern side of the Mount Lofty Ranges, called the Lavender Federation Trail.
The two groups, both part of the Friends of the Heysen Trail organisation, will follow the trail in stages.
The first group consisting of 35 walkers, four leaders and a back-up driver, based in Murray Bridge, commenced the first stage on May 4.
Bussed to and from their day’s walk from their accommodation, they walked for six days, reaching the end of stage one at Keyneton in the Barossa.
During the first week, a dinner was held at the Bridgeport Hotel.
Graham Hallandal from South Australian Recreation Trails Inc (SARTI), the volunteer group that built the Lavender Federation Trail, gave a Powerpoint presentation about SARTI and its many trail-building projects.
Graham Hallandal gives a great presentation to the Friends of the Heysen Trial hiking group. Photo: Graham Hallandal
The walkers were given glimpses of some of the spectacular scenery they would experience over the coming months.
Based in Kapunda, they will walk another five days from Keyneton to Eudunda in early July and in the final stage, a five-day trek early August from Eudunda to Clare via Mintaro.
All in all this adds up to 16 days’ walking.
Kathy Wright, group leader, said being able to hike the trail over a six-day period in week one had enabled the group to embrace the diversity of the trail.
“Many beautiful photos have been taken capturing the uniqueness of the trail and its landscapes,” she said.
“The walkers are looking forward to exploring more of the trail in the following two weeks of walking.”
The second group of 19 left on their journey last Saturday.
Their two-year trek, on weekends only, will follow the same route.
Both groups will only have time to follow the main trail.
There are an additional 150 kilometers of loop and spur trails connected to the main trail that some of the participants said they hoped to experience in the future.
Graham Hallandal, said that the Lavender Federation Trail had become so popular that the demand from cyclists, particularly those with touring and e-bikes, caused the creation of the Lavender Cycling Trail.
The cycling trail follows the route of the walking trail where possible but circumvents private property and the almost 300 stiles over fences on the walking trail.
“Intersecting with several other major trails the Lavender Trails allow anybody with the time and inclination to walk from Murray Bridge to the Flinders Ranges, Cape Jervis, and a circumference of Yorke Peninsula,” Mr Hallandal said.
It was more than 2000 kilometers in total without leaving marked trails, he said.
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