Starting from the end of Serpentine Gorge Road, Burt Plain, this walk takes you to the Serpentine Chalet Dam trailhead via the Larapinta Trail (Section 8), visiting Counts Point along the way. This is the eighth section of the 223km long Larapinta Trail. This part of the Larapinta is quite scenic and lets you ride the ridgeline for continuous panoramic views over the surrounding arid land. Although it gets steep and rocky, the steps at the steep parts are well-made to ease the ascent/descent. The vegetation in the area is quite varied, therefore there’s almost always a plant species that is flowering. This helps feed the native animals such as the Common Brushtail Possum. There are two campsites midway that can be used to make this an overnight walk: Counts Point and Oxide Flat. Both have tent pads yet lack other crucial amenities such as water and toilets. Near the end, you’ll have a chance to visit the ruins of the old Serpentine Chalet which operated in the late 50s as well as the dam up north. Keep in mind that the Serpentine Chalet Dam trailhead is only accessible by a 4WD vehicle to a car park 1 km south of the trailhead itself. 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.
There are toilets and a USB Charging station at Serpentine Chalet Dam.
The trail here is rocky and loose. The rough track is steep and poor on high ground but ok below.
To reach 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. To reach Serpentine Chalet Dam Trailhead take the exit from Namatjira Road along the 4WD dirt track to the locked gate. To reach the trailhead you’ll need to walk for about 750m.