In early 1990, a group of SA Touring Cyclists' Association (SATCA; now Bicycle SA) members had ridden from Blinman to Adelaide to test out a route for an off-road cycling trail. In June 1990, a group of cyclists representing SATCA, the Cycling Protection Association (now Bicycle Institute of SA), the Cycling for Pleasure Group, and the Mountain Bike Club (now Adelaide MTB Club) met to plan the new trail. Volunteers then started marking out and then establishing a trail, using state forest and national park fire trails, farm access tracks, unmade or unused roads, and roads with very low traffic on them.[1]
The trail was later named after geologist and Antarctic explorer Douglas Mawson,[2][1] who had carried out geological studies in the Flinders Ranges.[3]
Description
The cycling and walking trail[4] starts just east of Adelaide in the Adelaide Hills and extends almost 900 kilometres (560mi) to Blinman in the Flinders Ranges.[5] It is suitable for mountain bikes.[6]
The Mawson Trail traverses remote areas of the Mount Lofty and Flinders Ranges, mostly away from bitumen roads, and often off-road on tracks and unmade road or forest reserves. It also passes through a number of country towns. It starts at the upstream end of the Torrens Linear Park on Gorge Road, leading into the Adelaide Hills, so that it is directly connected by dedicated pedestrian and cycleway to the coast at West Beach.[citation needed]
Since 2002, Bicyle SA has hosted a guided two-week tour of the entire length every second year.[1]
Route
The route is generally described south-to-north, although it can be ridden in either direction. Signage along the route is provided for both directions.
↑"Mawson Trail". Trails SA. Office for Recreation & Sport. 15 April 2014. Archived from the original on 10 September 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
↑"Mawson Trail, SA". Cycle Trails Australia. 4 August 2013. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
