9 ways to walk the Larapinta Trail

The terrain on the Larapinta Trail | Peter Walton
The terrain on the Larapinta Trail | Peter Walton

There are a number of ways to walk the Larapinta Trail, catering for people of different fitness levels and time constraints. Generally speaking, the shorter the trip, the easier the experience – however when it comes to our self-guided treks, this logic can go out the window as trekkers get to choose the sections they walk. So how do you know which Larapinta walk is for you?

QUICK GUIDE On our three and six day guided experiences, trekkers carry daypacks and stay in semi-permanent campsites that offer comfort in the outback. On our longer nine and twelve day guided treks, travellers also carry a daypack but sleep in wilderness campsites that forgo the comforts for a traditional camping experience under the stars. Our self guided treks require trekkers to carry a full pack including their camping gear, food and personal items, which means that regardless of whether it’s 3,6,9 or 14 days you can expect to carry between 15-18kgs.

While this is a general guide to the differences between our treks, further detailabout the fitness requirements for the various options are below.

This means "Easy by normal trekking standards" as it involves walking with a day pack for short distances.

Guided: 7 day Larapinta Art Expedition This adventure touring trip is designed for those who want to experience the Larapinta Trail while unleashing their artistic flair in the stunning outback. Staying in our multi award-winning semi-permanent campsites. This experience allows travellers to carry only a daypack, while visiting the most scenic areas of the trail by car. These walks are available to all levels of walkers and do not require a high degree of fitness.

Guided: 3 day Larapinta Experience in Comfort, 3 day Larapinta Goddess Walk The aim of this trip is to introduce people to the Australian outback, for those who are not regular walkers, who have not walked in a group previously or who want a shorter walk. Clients are expected to walk between 7-16kms each day, with a walk time of between 4-6 hours, and on treks that are generally not too physically demanding. Short car transfers are included each day to transfer clients to the starting point of the Larapinta Trail’s top highlights, to ensure trekkers experience the most beautiful sights of the trail over three days. Anyone undertaking these walks may have only a modest degree of physical fitness, as you will also be carrying a light daypack (approximately 5kgs), along your walk.

These treks have some easy parts, and some not so easy parts. These treks are usually challenging for the non hiker or people of average fitness.

Guided: 6 day Classic Larapinta Trek in Comfort  This walk is reasonably demanding and for walkers who have walked regularly in various terrain. Carrying only a daypack, they have a walking time of about 5 - 6 hours and will require a high degree of physical fitness due to increased elevation. Trekkers stay in our multi award-winning comfortable semi-permanent campsites and have luggage transferred between sites, allowing them to carry just a light daypack during the day.

For an experienced hiker, this will present challenges. For someone with not much hiking or outdoor experience this will be a difficult trek. Only fit and experienced people should attempt these treks.

Guided: 9 Day Best of the Larapinta Trail and 14 day End-to-End These walks are for those wishing to complete most of, or the entire Larapinta Trail, on a guided walk. These walks are reasonably demanding and for walkers who have walked regularly in various terrain. They have a walking time of about 5 - 6 hours and will require a high degree of physical fitness. These walks require travellers to stay in wilderness campsites while carrying a day pack. Vehicle transfers ensure luggage is delivered between campsites.

Guided: 6 day Larapinta Challenger Trek This walk is very demanding and for walkers who have experience trekking on moderate or challenging graded treks. Trekkers walk up to 30kms each day along some of the most challenging sections of the Larapinta Trail, passing over remote ridges and canyons. Clients spend evenings in wilderness campsites that allow you to sleep under the stars in tents and swags. As luggage is transferred between campsites by a support vehicle, trekkers are only expected to carry a day pack on this challenging trek. Trekkers should train in the months leading up to this experience due to its challenging nature.

Difficulty explanation* The difficulty really depends on your prior trekking experience, your fitness and your overall hardiness/durability. If you have any doubts as to your fitness, please talk with your Adventure Travel Consultant.

Larapinta

Comments (2)

Cath Johnston

Hello, I have a group of 8, possibly 10 keen for the 9 day walk. Do you have availability next July, starting in early July?

7 years ago
Australian Walking Holidays

Hi there Cath,
Thanks for your message! We unfortunately don't have any departures running in July for our 9 day guided trek (but we do have one departing on May 2 - which may be too early for you). I've asked our Groups Coordinator, Toni, to email you with any other potential dates available in case a private group departure works better for you. You should hear from her today today :)
Cheers,
Larissa

7 years ago


Comments are closed.
Join Newsletter
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/ADS.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Adventures South"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Adventure South</div>
Adventure South NZ is unrivalled in their geographic coverage, originality and overall quality of adventures holidays in New Zealand. Choose from walking, cycling, winter or multi-activity holidays, on either the North or South Island.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/AWH.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Australian Walking Holidays"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Australian Walking Holidays</div>
Australian Walking Holidays specialises in small group guided walking adventures. Since 1982 we have been guiding small groups of travellers on Australia's finest walks across our tropical, coastal or red centre landscapes.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/GCT.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Great Canadian Trails"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Great Canadian Trails</div>
Great Canadian Trails specialises in active holidays in Canada. With both guided and supported self-guided options available, our unique itineraries draw upon some of Canada's most inspiring parks, trails and landscapes from coast to coast.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/HUM.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Humac Challenge"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Huma Charity Challenge</div>
Huma enables those with adventurous spirits to challenge themselves and make a difference for a cause close to their heart. Travel, fundraise and meet life-long friends on one of Huma's meaningful and unique challenges around the world.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WB.jpg?v2' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Walkers’ Britain"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Walkers' Britain</div>
Walkers' Britain (formerly Sherpa Expeditions) have specialised in walking and cycling trips in the United Kingdom and Europe since 1973. Explore iconic trails and destinations on a self guided or small group active holiday with Walkers' Britain.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WB.jpg?v2' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Walkers’ Britain"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Walkers' Britain</div>
Walkers' Britain (formerly Sherpa Expeditions) have specialised in walking and cycling trips in the United Kingdom and Europe since 1973. Explore iconic trails and destinations on a self guided or small group active holiday with Walkers' Britain.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/TAS.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Tasmania Expeditions"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Tasmanian Expeditions</div>
Tasmanian Expeditions is the most experienced operator of treks and adventure travel holidays in Tasmania. We own and operate the most comprehensive range of adventure holidays available across Tasmania's varied landscapes.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/UTX-new.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Utracks"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>UTracks</div>
UTracks are the active European holiday specialists. Whether you prefer cycling or walking, 2-star or 4-star, small groups or self guided, land, river or sea – UTracks can help you to explore Europe exactly the way you want.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WYA.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="World Expeditions Schools"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>World Expeditions Schools</div>
World Expeditions Schools is our specialist division dedicated to organising tailor made overseas school group adventures. Specialists in Service Learning projects, choose from more destinations than any other school group provider.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/YOM.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Yomads"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Yomads</div>
Yomads offers adventures for the 20s and 30s on six continents. Designed as a way to bring young and likeminded travellers together, Yomads caters to those interested in lightly structured and active trips that allow freedom to roam and explore.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/ACT.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Australian Cycle Tours"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Australian Cycle Tours</div>
Australian Cycle Tours specialises in high quality self guided and guided cycling experiences in a selection of the most beautiful regions in Australia.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WEX.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="World Expeditions"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>World Expeditions</div>
The pioneers of original, worldwide adventure travel holidays since 1975
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/TJX.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Trail Journeys"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Trail Journeys</div>
Self-guided cycling experts on New Zealand's Otago Rail Trail and more
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/BMAC.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Blue Mountains Adventure Company"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Blue Mountains Adventure Company</div>
The original Blue Mountains canyoning, hiking, climbing and abseiling experts
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/GWNZ.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Great Walks of New Zealand"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Great Walks of New Zealand</div>
Explore New Zealand's most spectacular wilderness regions with the self-guided hiking experts
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/NAA.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="North America Active"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>North America Active</div>
USA Canada hiking & cycling tour specialists, choose from self-guided or guided trips