Discover the Clare Valley Wine and Wilderness Trail

The Clare Valley Wine & Wilderness Trail puts 100km of vineyards, bushland, farmland and country roads on one seriously good walking route. Split into six stages, it passes some of the region’s best cellar doors, with plenty of places to stop for a meal or a glass of Riesling along the way. Here’s a little head-start to your Clare Valley Wine & Wilderness Trail to get you on your way.

What is the Clare Valley Wine and Wilderness Trail?

The Clare Valley Wine & Wilderness Trail is a 100km walking loop that circles the wine-growing heart of the Clare Valley, split into six stages ranging from 13.5km to 23km. And this isn’t a trail where you have to choose between the scenery and the cellar door: the route passes close to around 24 wineries, as well as pubs, cafés and restaurants, while cutting through vineyards, farmland, backroads and private properties.

It begins and ends at the Clare Valley Wine, Food & Tourism Centre, with each stage finishing near a winery, which feels like a fairly good incentive to keep walking.

The trail is rated moderate, with some steep climbs, rocky ground and creek crossings, so it’s more serious than a leisurely vineyard stroll, but totally approachable for most.

Exploring the Trail: What You’ll See Along the Way

Vineyards are only part of the picture on the Clare Valley Wine & Wilderness Trail. The trail winds through the Clare Valley’s back country, with long lines of gum-lined creek, grazing land and native bush breaking up the rows of vines.

So what will you see on the way? Spring Gully Conservation Park is one of the highlights, particularly in spring when the wildflowers are out, and there are plenty of kangaroos and wallabies around. Climb higher and the views open right out, with Blue Gum Lookout offering a distant glimpse of the coast.

There’s plenty of history underfoot as well, including a 19th-century shepherd’s hut, old orchards and the historic Sevenhill area. The further you walk, the more the valley reveals itself as something bigger than its wine reputation.

The Wineries You Can Visit Along the Trail

One of the best things about the Wine & Wilderness Trail is that you don’t have to save the wine for the end. And let’s face it, if you’re doing this walk, wine might be one of the motivators!

Cellar doors are spotted along the route, so you can build a tasting stop into your walk with no worries at all. Just make sure you check opening times before setting off, because not every cellar door operates every day in this part of SA.

Here are a few worth knowing:

• Stage 1: Jim Barry Wines and Knappstein Wines are among the stops around Clare and Armagh.
• Stage 2: Shut the Gate, Sussex Squire, Stone Bridge and Eldredge Wines feature around the Spring Gully and Sevenhill section.
• Stage 3: This is the serious cellar-door stretch, with Skillogalee, Mitchell, Jeanneret, Penna Lane, Kilikanoon and O’Leary Walker all along the route.
• Stage 4: Around Watervale and Auburn, you’ll find Taylors, Grosset, Mt Horrocks, Wines by KT, Velvet & Willow and Mr Nobody, among others.
• Stage 6: Sevenhill Cellars, Wykari and Good Catholic Girl make this another good section for wine lovers.

Not everyone has time to walk 100km, so if you’re choosing just one section for wine tasting, Stage 3 is the obvious contender in our opinioin! You get the Skillogalee Hills scenery and six cellar doors along the same stretch.

Where to Eat and Stay in the Clare Valley

Just like wine, food is never far away on the Wine & Wilderness Trail. Stage 3 is the one to go for for a proper vineyard lunch, with Skillogalee along the route. Meanwhile Stage 4 brings you into Auburn, where the trail passes close to Velvet & Willow and the town’s pub and cafés. Stage 6 has particularly good options too, at Sevenhill Hotel and Paulett Wines’ Bush DeVine, with the trail notes specifically flagging the area for its dining opportunities.

For a base in Clare itself, Clare Country Club puts you close to the start and finish of the trail. The property has 64 rooms, suites, studios and apartments beside Lake Inchiquin, while Conners Restaurant serves regional produce with a wine list dedicated to Clare Valley producers. And stage 1 begins at the Clare Valley Wine, Food & Tourism Centre, so the country club is a practical option for walkers tackling the northern end of the loop.

Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

Considering an adventure on the Wine & Wilderness Trail? You’ll need to know a few things before you head off:

• Download the maps before you leave. The official Wine & Wilderness Trail website has maps for each stage, including GPX files for navigation. The Avenza Maps app can also be used to follow the route.
• There’s no camping along the trail. If you’re walking the full 100km, you’ll need to book accommodation between stages.
• Plan your food stops. Cellar doors, cafés and restaurants have varying opening days and hours, so check ahead rather than relying on somewhere being open when you arrive.
• Leave the dog at home. Dogs aren’t permitted on the sections of trail that cross private property.
• Allow more time than the kilometres suggest. The route includes uneven ground, hills, creek crossings and sections along roads, so it isn’t a flat vineyard stroll.
• Transport takes some planning. The trail doesn’t have a dedicated shuttle service between stages, although local taxis and tour operators can help with transfers.