SECTION 2 Louds Hill Rd to Sellicks Esplanade
11.5 km Hard Hike Grade 4
MAP SECTION 2
FROM: the intersection of Louds Hill Rd, Range Rd West and Mt Terrible Rds, Pages Flat, SA 5172
TO: the intersection of Gulf View Rd and Esplanade, Sellicks Beach, SA 5174
From the section end post follow Mt Terrible Rd for 400 m then veer off on the right just before a bend in the road, to cross a stile. Follow an old track for 70 m then take a sharp left to go down across the head of a gully. When you get to the next stile climb over it turning right to follow the fence out along the ridge with great open views in every direction.
Shortly after one of the ridges of limestone which cross these hills, descend slightly then the route turns right through an opening in the old fence and follows a path above some trees. Turn left and follow the white markers steeply down the hillside, through native vegetation to reach a fence. Follow this fence down veering off over a small gully on the way. Eventually you reach a ravine. Follow signposts and white markers to make your way across this ravine and again follow the fence to eventually reach a gate and fence made of large pine logs.
You are now at Culley Rd. There follows 3 km of road walking on wide verges alongside vineyards. Follow Culley Rd to Rogers Rd where you turn left to walk to Plains Rd. Turn left at Plains Rd and follow it to the intersection of Plains Rd and Chaff Mill Rd.
Take the unmade part of Plains Rd which goes off to the right at a 45-degree angle. Follow the track for 600m crossing two stiles. After the third stile you go down among pines to cross Boundary Creek and up the other side to reach another stile. Beyond this you walk on the left-hand side (southern side) of an olive orchard before crossing a stile at a gate. Now walk along the fence line adjacent to another property. The route is on Plains unmade road reserve although it feels at times as if you are fenced into private property. Interestingly the main water trunk line between Happy Valley and Myponga reservoirs has been under your feet for much of this stretch.
After the sixth stile you cross some open ground to reach a side road that leads to Main South Rd opposite the intersection with Sellicks Beach Rd. The Victory Hotel, a popular hotel and restaurant, is on your left. Use the signs to guide you left and across the grass in front of the Victory car park to a crossing of Main South Rd which gives views both ways of traffic, on this very busy road.
Once over Main South Rd, walk along the fence to the corner of Sellicks Beach Rd. Then go along the south side of Sellicks Beach Rd, on the roadside verge, through vegetation much of the way. At Country Rd turn left and walk to Gulf View Rd where you turn right and walk to Sellicks Esplanade. This part of the walk between Main South Rd and the Esplanade is 3.5 km.
NOTES
- Louds Hill Rd is a closed road from the north, so access to the start of the section, from the north, is via Delabole or Bangor Rd then Range Rd. From the south it is via Pages Flat Rd and Louds Hill Rd
- the route from Mt Terrible Rd to Culley Rd is licensed through private property and is for walkers only, no dogs or bikes allowed.
Dogs:
- no dogs on private land between Mt Terrible Rd and Culley Rd
- no dogs on Plains URR between Plains Rd and Main South Rd
Fire ban:
- the private land from Mt Terrible Rd to Culley Rd is closed on days of total fire ban
