5 family-friendly cycling trails

By John Pedler
Published: Thursday, April 5, 2018
Updated: February 21, 2020 at 8:16 am

Cycling is a great way to get the family outdoors, and you don’t have be a Tour Down Under contender to enjoy a day in the saddle.

Here are five excellent bike trails to explore on two wheels, as recommended by RAA’s More For Members partner Bicycle Express. Just remember, these are all shared pathways, so keep an eye out for walkers, dogs and, in some cases, cows, sheep and horses!

Little Para River Trail (16km)

Location: City of Salisbury, Salisbury Park to Globe Derby Park… and beyond

Start the day with a picnic at Carisbrooke Park, a sprawling reserve with playgrounds, barbecues and ancient river red gums. Then set off along a gum-lined creek through a series of parks and gardens en route to Port Wakefield Rd. After passing under the road, the trail takes in Whites Rd Wetland before looping around past the Globe Derby Park racecourse and linking up with the Dry Creek Trail.

Little Para River Trail.

The Rattler Trail (19km)

Location: Gilbert Valley/Clare Valley, Riverton to Auburn

This trail follows a disused railway line, meaning all the major ups and downs were levelled out long ago to make life easier for trains. This is a godsend for the family cycling troupe, who’ll enjoy a relaxing ride through gently undulating farmland – expect to draw the attention of local livestock. There are several interpretive signs along the way, explaining the region’s agricultural and geological history.

Riesling Trail (33km)

Location: Clare Valley, Auburn to Clare (and onto the old Barinia rail siding)

From Auburn, the Rattler Trail becomes the Riesling Trail, and from both ends it rises gradually towards Penwortham. It passes through a mixture of farmlands, woodlands and vineyards, and even skirts the odd cellar door. Look forward to rowdy and colourful birdlife, superb views across the valley, and another brush with curious livestock. There are several side-tracks leading to local attractions, but keep in mind that these will take you into hillier terrain.

Riesling Trail.

Adelaide Park Lands Trail – southern section (16km)

Location: Adelaide City

Many thanks to Colonel William Light, SA’s first Surveyor-General, for surrounding our fair city centre with expansive park lands. The trail takes in the roses of Veale Gardens, the settlers’ olive orchards, Rymill Park, the sprawling Moreton Bay fig trees in Botanic Park, before joining up with the River Torrens trail behind the zoo. There’s even a section passing through the middle of West Terrace Cemetery. Short detours lead to other attractions, including Himeji Japanese Garden – an island of tranquillity on the edge of the CBD.

River Torrens Linear Park Trail (40km)

Location: Montacute to Henley Beach South

The River Torrens Linear Park Trail is a national treasure. It follows the flowing water from the Torrens Gorge Weir in the foothills, through to the CBD, and then on to the river’s outflow at Henley. The scenery changes throughout, from wide open parks to densely wooded areas, narrow gullies and wetlands, and there are plenty of picnic spots and playgrounds along the way. There’s no better place to escape the city while still in it.