Riesling Trail

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Riesling Trail, looking to the north, near Leasingham

The Riesling Trail is a 35 kilometre walking and cycling track located in the Clare Valley, South Australia.[1] It runs between Auburn and Clare, passing through several towns and villages along the way, including Leasingham, Watervale, Penwortham and Sevenhill.[2] A recent extension now extends 8km north of Clare to the area known as Barinia. Interpretative signage exists at many spots along the trail, there are picnic tables and seats at several places, and at Watervale a small shelter and rainwater tank provides for the needs for trail users.

Originally part of the railway branch line which ran between Riverton in the south to Spalding in the north, it was abandoned after the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires which burnt through the valley and damaged a lot of the trackwork. It was decided that the old railway lines would be removed and in 1993, this part of the route was converted into its present use as a walking and cycle trail.[3]

Today the Riesling Trail is recognised as one of the premier scenic walking/cycling trails in Australia, passing through beautiful vineyard and farming country. There are various side loops as well as access to delightful coffee shops and quaint pubs. Bike hire is available at several locations including Auburn, Clare and the Clare Caravan Park, with quality bikes and tandems available to suit all sizes and ages. It is possible to hire bikes and ride one-way with pick-up at the other end. The trail has a gentle up-grade from Auburn to just north of Penwortham, from where it gradually descends into Clare. The Riesling Trail is the perfect way to experience the best of the Clare Valley. Many B&B's are available to accommodate trail users in close proximity to the trail.

The Rattler Rail Trail, currently being developed to the same standard as the Riesling Trail, extends a further 23 km south of Auburn to Riverton, creating further opportunity for cycling and walking in the Region.


See also

References

  1. ↑ "Clare Valley Riesling Trail" (Web). Trail Description. Railtrails Australia, Inc. Retrieved 2007-06-03. 
  2. ↑ Carolyne Jasinski, On a Clare day, you can ride your bike forever, The Courier Mail, 4 April 2008. Accessed 3 October 2009
  3. ↑ Milestones for walking trails, The Advertiser, 14 November 2003.
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