Trails
Trails and Places to Ride
With over 90,000 hectares of great places to ride in ForestrySA plus national parks, beaches, rail trails and stations, there is lots to explore!
All Trails has a growing record of many marked trails in the state, with a focus on accessibility and the diversity of trails in SA, including horse riding.
Planning, designing, building or maintaining a trail network? Not sure about horses?
Our Horse Trail Infrastructure Guidelines provide horse-specific information to supplement existing technical resources.
Three trails in which Horse SA has a special interest are:
The Kidman Trail – See the page on this website
The Tom Roberts Horse Trail Network – a multi-use connection of local roads, parks and un-made road reserves through the City of Onkaparinga and Belair National Park, with small sections in the City of Mitcham, Adelaide Hills Council.
The Kersbrook Horse Trail – a multi-use trail connecting roads, unmade road reserves and two ForestrySA blocks near the township of Kersbrook.
Forestry SA
Trails and horse-friendly campsites with yarding are located on ForestrySA land at Kuitpo and Mount Crawford Forests in South Australia. Forest blocks stretch across the state from Wirrabarra in the mid-north of the state, through to Second Valley on the Fleurieu Peninsula, and Mount Gambier in the South-East, all providing excellent riding. Camping, group rides, events and carriage driving can be arranged with ForestrySA. Permits are required for every rider and driver.
Beaches
South Australia’s coast has many beautiful beaches, a favourite with many horse riders. Check permit and access requirements with the relevant local council or national park.
National Parks
Our state features many national parks, with a number hosting permanently marked trails, while other parks have an option to enter if a permit is pre-arranged. Refer to the Parks SA website and search for the park you are interested in, or contact the local district Ranger’s Office. Reference to the relevant Park Management Plan may provide guidance.
National Local Council made and unmade road reserves
A road reserve is a corridor preserved for allowing people to move across the countryside. Formed, or ‘made’ roads are those with an identifiable carriageway which may be sealed or unsealed (gravel). Unformed or ‘un-made’ roads are also legal corridors but may not be immediately recognisable on the ground to the untrained eye. These un-made roads are found marked on some digital or paper maps. Public access is permitted along these corridors, however, it is advisable to check with Council first to ensure that the land has not been sold or other conditions for use apply.
Private Property
A number of private properties will allow a trail club ride by negotiation, or there are stations and farms which riders can bring horses to for overnight stays. Visit the Horse SA tourism and Let’s go riding business listings, Station Stays or South Australian tourism.