Mount Sonder

Starting from the car park at the end of Redbank Gorge Road, Mount Zeil, this walk takes you up to the summit of Mount Sonder via the Larapinta Trail Section 12, visiting Mount Sonder Lookout along the way. This track may challenge you with its gradual incline and the lack of shade, but the views you’ll get at the summit may last you a lifetime. Being able to see tens of kilometres in all directions really is an experience like no other. Take in the vast scenery and try to identify the surrounding peaks as you rest and enjoy some food. The track is well-maintained and features reflective markers for you to spot them easier. In fact, most people go for sunrise hikes and enjoy the night sky full of stars as they make it up there. You can stay at the Sonder Camp midway and make this a multi-day walk as well. As aforementioned, the track is quite exposed so try to start as early as possible and wear a hat. Bring lots of food and water, and bring layers of clothing in colder parts of the year. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Safer Bushwalks
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There

Start	(-23.5774963,132.5187757)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Telegraph Terrace, 87 Turn on to then drive for 910 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Larapinta Drive, 6 and drive for another 880 m At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Larapinta Drive, 6 and drive for another 44.3 km Turn right onto Namatjira Drive, 2 and drive for another 104.9 km Turn right and drive for another 3.6 km Turn left and drive for another 1.1 km

Track Notes

Getting started
From the sheltered picnic tables at the end of the road, pass through the bollard and head towards the brown “Redbank Gorge” sign along the dirt path. Pass by the said sign and through the sheltered informational signposts to join a singular dirt trail. 75 metres in, keep/veer right at the fork following the signage for “Larapinta Trail sections 11 and 12”. 405 metres later, keep left at the 3-way intersection and follow the “Mt Sonder Summit” signage to continue along Mount Sonder Track.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start heading along Larapinta Trail Section 11 to 12. Redbank Gorge (about 20 m back from the start). There is a picnic table (about 15 m back from the start). Larapinta Trail Information (about 8 m back from the start). Find the toilet at the start. Find the shelter at the start.
	After another 40 m (at the intersection of Redbank Gorge Walk & Larapinta Trail Section 11-12) continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 11-12. Keep right. After another 115 m come to the "Larapinta Trail Camping" (35 m on your right). Then pass the "Larapinta Trail Water" (35 m on your right). After another 40 m cross the ford. After another 270 m pass the sign.
	At the intersection of Larapinta Trail Section 11 & Larapinta Trail Section 11-12 veer left, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 12. After another 2.1 km come to the "Mount Sonder Lookout" (on your right). After another 2.7 km come to the camp site (on your right). After another 2.3 km come to a sign.
	Turn around here and retrace the main route for 7.6 km to get back to the start.

Terrain

Mount Sonder

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	15.1 km
Time	5 h 30 min, 8 h 30 min to 2 days

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route

Camp site: There are 2 on route, on average they are 5 km apart with the largest gap of 9.8 km.

Shelter: There is one 35 m from the start.

Toilet: There is one 8 m from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	8 m	[toilet]
Shelter	35 m	[shelter]
Camp site	190 m	Larapinta Trail Camping
Camp site	5.3 km	[camp site]

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