Starting from the Ellery Creek North trailhead shelter, Namatjira, this walk takes you to the Serpentine Gorge Car Park via the new northern alignment of the Larapinta Trail: Section 7. This is the newer seventh section of the 223km long Larapinta Trail. Compared to the old route, this new track is much more defined and easy-going, letting you focus on your surroundings. Lift your head up every once in a while to get panoramic views of the vast Alice Valley combined with the West Macdonnell Ranges. You’ll pass through the Heavitree Range on your way to Serpentine Gorge, merging with the old route at West Junction. Speaking of, Serpentine Gorge (known as Ulpma in Western Arrernte language) is a great place to take a break and embrace the scenery, keeping an eye out for the wide variety of animals coming here for water. The new shelter at Ellery Creek North features elevated tent pads, a toilet and a water tank. Although keep in mind that there is no vehicle access to this trailhead. Also, you might need to change up your food dropping plan and resupply at Serpentine Gorge as Ellery Creek South Day Use Area will require a considerable off-track detour. Let us begin by acknowledging the Arrernte people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Serpentine Gorge has toilets and camping furniture, as well as a USB Charging station.
The trail is rather poor on high ground but ok below. There are plenty of hard jagged, sharp surfaces.
To reach Ellery Creek Trailhead or Serpentine Gorge Trailhead you’ll need to drive along Larapinta and Namatjira Drive. Take the exit from Namatjira Road which takes you straight to the car park via a rocky dirt track. Serpentine Gorge shelter and campsite is situated about 6oo m away from the car park.