Don’t forget to buy the Larapinta Trail map package, available in Alice Springs, before hiking. Familiarize yourself with the route and plan your itinerary. Although it is very, very unlikely that you’ll get lost on the trail (the route is well-waymarked), you should also buy a compass and learn how to use it to navigate.
The biggest risk on the Larapinta Trail is the climate. This is an arid, hot desert area, so heat exhaustion, dehydration, and UV exposure are a real risk. You’ll mostly be hiking without tree protection, so a wide-brimmed hat should be considered for protecting your face and neck. Also, think about purchasing a sun hoody prior to getting on the trail.
There are a lot of water points on the trail – in each of the campsites. But you must carry enough to last you between sections. Bear in mind that Section 9 is a 29km section without water.
More of a nuisance than a safety worry, flies are everywhere on the trail. They’re persistent, crawling into hikers’ eyes and mouths. Some tourists buy fly nets to protect their faces (available to buy in Alice Springs).
Snakes can be on the trail. They are something to consider, but not to panic about. Take a snake bandage in your First Aid Kit and learn how to use it beforehand. Dingoes are also on the trail, but will very rarely pose a risk. They might come into camp to steal any unsecured food, though – so make sure that you secure any food at camp.
Never camp under the river redgum eucalyptus trees – their branches can fall silently and without warning.
Although the road is never actually far away from the trail, if you need rescuing it can take between 2 and 12 hours. It is wise to carry a personal locator beacon, such as the Garmin inReach Mini 2, which is highly recommended by hikers who have tried and tested it on trails.
Always check the weather conditions, and bear in mind that big storms can roll in. You’ll prefer to be at camp during one of the Outback storms.
Always check the latest trail conditions. See here for updates.
Don’t forget to send your itinerary to someone you know. There is very limited phone signal on the trail. Beyond Wild Places states that you’ll get a phone signal in these spots:
- Simpsons Gap (Telstra only)
- Standley Chasm (Telstra only)
- Brinkley Bluff (limited Telstra and Optus)
- Ormiston Gorge (Optus only)
To read more about emergency planning on the Larapinta Trail, click here.
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