Winter Walking on The Larapinta Trail

In the distance: the horizon beyond the jagged peaks of the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia. It is winter, time to hike out bush, with travellers and locals alike taking advantage of the milder weather to explore. Hikers walk in groups, or solo, their footfalls on the earth accompanied by the sound of silence underneath a wide sky.

When I go hiking, my mind wanders. I think of the pleasure of escaping town. Images of frost, chill and clear air run through my mind as I breathe in the desert. In the early stages of a hike, I am attuned to the beauty around me: wildflowers, resurrection ferns, saplings erupting from walls of rock.

Section One of the Larapinta Trail starting at Simpson's Gap, Central Australia

As the climb begins to burn, my concentration is drawn to the rhythm of my steps. Those in front of me on the trail begin to blur, and I mentally strengthen myself for the long distance there is to go. The sunlight dapples the path as I ascend the rise, nodding hello to those coming in the opposite direction. Comradery on the trail is one of the bright spots of hiking in Central Australia. Strangers bond over the intensity of many miles of desert trails. You meet people from all over Australia and the world who are here to see the outback and test their endurance. 

Winter walking in Central Australia can be vigorous or gentle. There are paths for everyone, including short day trips and overnight hikes. The Larapinta Trail stretches across the MacDonnell Ranges, offering challenge and escape. Those who traverse it entirely in one trip organise food drops and carry heavy packs; others just venture out to do a single section at a time, taking their rest when the day is over.

It’s almost August, and the touch of winter is fast receding. These paths will only be accessible for a short time and then summer will cancel plans to hike. Enjoy your days out in the MacDonnell Ranges. With summer's sure return, time on the trails will disappear.