LARAPINTA’S LURE
THERE ARE GOOD REASONS walkers come from all over the world to tread the red and rocky earth of the famed Larapinta Trail in the Northern Territory. The 223km route, which follows the grandeur of the West MacDonnell Ranges, begins at the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station then heads west to the summit of Mt Sonder, at 1379m the NT’s fourth-highest peak. It’s a spectacular experience that’s capable of imparting more of the true essence of Australia in two weeks than perhaps anywhere else in the country.
DESPITE ITS REMOTE Central Australia location, the Larapinta Trail can be experienced by a wide range of people of differing ages and physical capabilities. But it’s vital to be prepared for the challenging environment and weather in this part of the world. Temperatures can be unforgiving, with extremes of both heat and cold, and water can be scarce. Walkers need to be well informed and overly prepared.
The trail is divided into 12 sections of varying lengths and
