Grading descriptions for each section are based on a good level of fitness, fit people with extensive previous trail running and bushwalking experience:
- Medium: a narrow track which may be rough in places, with some climbing and descending
- Hard: a rough and narrow track with some steep and/or long climbs and descents
- Very hard: a rugged track or marked route with frequent steep and long climbs and descents
Day 1—Sat
Day overview
Runners arrive Alice Springs
Transfer McDonnell Ranges Caravan Park (pre booked group accommodation).
Sort gear, pack trailer.
Visit Anzac Hill.
Group meeting and dinner at Uncle’s Tavern.
Logistics—runners
Runners organise own flight bookings.
Runners arrive in Alice Springs and make their own way to Caravan Park.
Accom/Meals
Big 4 MacDonnell Ranges Caravan Park, camp sites booked by Running Wild
Pre run dinner and briefing at Uncle’s Tavern
Day 2—Sun
Day overview
06:00 Breakfast
06:30 Drive to Telegraph Station
7:00 Run to Simpsons Gap
Meet vehicle, lunch, sightseeing, set up camp
Afternoon at leisure
Group cooking
Grading and comments
Section 1—EASY
23.8 km to Simpsons Gap
Water at Wallaby Gap (14 km)
About 4.5 hrs easy running to Simpsons Gap (lunch—water and toilet)
Accom/Meals
Overnight at Simpsons Gap—bush camp, toilet, no showers or camp fire
Lunch
Dinner: group cooking
Day 3—Mon
Day overview
05:00 Departure
Run from Simpsons Gap to Jay Creek and on to Standley Chasm
Grading and comments
Section 2—LONG, EASY
25.1 km 5 hrs easy running
Section 3—HARD
14.6 km 4.5 hrs strenuous running
Stunning gorges, great climbs
Total 39.7 km—9.5 hours
Water available at:
14 km at Mulga Camp
24 km at Jay Creek
Possible water at Fig Springs
Low route to Millers Flat
Water/Kiosk Standley Chasm
Accom/Meals
Overnight at Standly Chasm
2 course dinner in restaurant
Camping on grass, camp fire, toilets, shower
Day 4—Tue
Day overview
06:00 Departure
Standley Chasm to Birthday Waterhole
Grading and comments
Section 4—VERY HARDSteep and hard sections
400 m climb - breathtaking views
Brinkley Bluff has a long uphill (400 m) and a steep downhill, unsafe in heavy rain.
Possible water at Suart Pass
Total 17.7 km—5.5 hours
Accom/Meals
Camp at Birthday Creek Waterhole
Possible swimming, camp fire, bush camp,
Lunch
Dinner: group cooking
Day 5—Wed
Day overview
08:00 Drive from Birthday Waterhole to Hugh Gorge
Meat at Hugh Gorge and driven back to Birthday Creek
Grading and comments
Section 5—HARD17.8 km 5.5 hrs strenuous jogging, walking, scrambling over boulders, steep and hard
Difficult navigation, great gorges
Water at Hugh Gorge
Track passes through waterholes—wet feet!
Possible water at Fringe Lily Gully 8.7 km
Accom/Meals
Camp at Birthday Creek Waterhole
Possible swimming, camp fire, bush camp
Lunch
Dinner: group cooking
Day 6—Thur
Day overview
06:45 Drive from Birthday Creek to Serpentine Gorge
08:30 Run Serpentine Gorge to Serpentine Dam Chalet
Grading and comments
Drive in to Serpentine Gorge—1.45 hours 4WD
Section 8—EASY run
Run free day, mobile phone service at Contes Peak
Easy run to locked gate
18 km 4 hours
Total car/walk—6 hours
Accom/Meals
Camp at Ormiston Gorge
Swimming, bush camp, toilets, showers
Lunch
Dinner: group cooking
Day 7—Fri
Day overview
07:00 Run Serpentine Chalet Dam to Ormiston Gorge
Grading and comments
Section 9—HARD
31 kms 7 hrs including 500 m climb and very steep descent
Some very steep downhill walking
No water along this section
Fantastic views
Accom/Meals
Camp at Ormiston Gorge
Late Lunch
Dinner at Ormiston Gorge—Group cooking
Day 8—Sat
Day overview
06:00 Ormiston Gorge to Red Bank Gorge
Grading and comments
First 18 km flat easy running—1 water crossing
Section 10—EASY
9.1 km 1.5 hrs easy running
Section 11—MEDIUM
27 km
Total run distance: 36.1 km 6.0-7.0 hours
Good views from hilltop lookout
Water at Finke River
Easy running before climb to hilltop lookout
Water at Rocky Bar gap 14.2 km
Water at Redbank Gorge 26 km
Accom/Meals
Woodland camping area
Camp at Red Bank Gorge
Camp fire, bush camp, toilets
Lunch
Dinner: group cooking
Day 9—Sun
Day overview
Rise 04:00
Drive to start of walking track
Start 04:30 Redbank Gorge to Mt Sonder and back
Sunrise viewing
Grading and comments
Section 12—MEDIUM
15.8 kms, 4 - 5 hrs
2.5 hours to ascend
1.5 hours to descend
Can be VERY cold and windy
Climax of trip
Run/walk up Mt Sonder (1379 m) and back
Breakfast
Drive to Glen Helen—lunch/afternoon at leisure
Accom/Meals
Glen Helen Resort—Camp, showers/toilet
Lunch—own arrangements
Celebratory Dinner—Glen Helen Resort
Day 10—Mon
Day overview
07:00 Breakfast
07:30 Pack up and drive to Alice Springs
09:00 Tour finishes at Alice Springs
Own arrangements
Accom/Meals
Own arrangements after breakfast
Tour Inclusions
Trip Highlights
- Climb Mount Sonder for a spectacular sunrise
- Run the best sections of the trail including Simpson's Gap, Standley Chasm, Serpentine Gorge and more
- Wilderness camping under the milky way
- Swim in peaceful waterholes hidden deep within the West MacDonnell Ranges (subject to water levels)
- All camping gear and luggage transferred by vehicle, freeing you to enjoy the diverse desert scenery and focus on achieving your running goals
What's Included
- 9 breakfasts,7 lunches and 9 dinners
- Experienced running guide and support staff
- Catering and eating utensils
- Off-road transport from Alice Springs
- Vehicle supported camping throughout
- All National Park and camping fees
- Group first aid kit
- Emergency sat phone
What's Not Included
- Airfares
- Accommodation in Alice Springs before and after the trip
- Tents/swags/sleeping bags for sleeping
- Items of a personal nature, such as laundry and postage
- Alcoholic beverages
- Lunch at Glen Helen Resort on day 9
- Travel insurance
- Transport to and from Alice Springs Airport