With an excellent bitumen surface and wineries and coffee shops to visit, the sixteen kilometre Amy Gillett Rail Trail makes a wonderful day’s easy riding in the Adelaide Hills.
Following a section of the former Mount Pleasant railway line, the Amy Gillett Bikeway currently extends from just north of Oakbank to Mount Torrens. Starting from the Oakbank end, the rail trail climbs gently for fourteen kilometres before a pleasant two kilometre roll to Mount Torrens.
Who was Amy Gillett?
Amy Gillett was born in South Australia and represented Australia in cycling and rowing. She was tragically killed in Germany in 2005, when a driver lost control of her car near Zeulenroda, crashing head first into the Australian squad of cyclists while they were training.
When the Amy Gillett Bikeway was opened in 2010, it was named in her honour.
Where to Start
Because the gradients are so gentle, the Amy Gillett Rail Trail can be comfortably started at either end. However, if, like many cyclists, you prefer to get the hill done first, start at Oakbank. There is convenient parking at Gillman Road.
Mount Torrens Oval at the northern end also has convenient parking and the added bonus of public toilets.
For those who prefer shorter rides, you can do four or five kilometre sections starting either at Woodside or Charleston.
Oakbank to Woodside (4 km)
The first four kilometres of the bike path are flat and run adjacent to the road.
As you near Woodside, you pass the vineyards of Wicks Estate.
In December 2019, a half-kilometre “gap” in the rail trail at Woodside was completed. This allows cyclists and walkers to now ride safely behind the town rather than competing with local traffic through the main street.
Happily, it’s still easy to access the wonderful cafes in the town. Some of these are the Lobethal Bakery (Woodside Branch), Avalon of Woodside and the Woodside Providore.
Being the largest town along the Amy Gillett Rail Trail, Woodside also offers a supermarket and the Woodside Hotel. There is an excellent bike shop too – Bicycle Fix in the main street.
Woodside to Charleston (5 km)
This next short 5 kilometre section of the Amy Gillett Bikeway is mostly flat, making it ideal for a family outing.
On the way out of town, you pass Barristers Block cellar door and vineyards. A little further on, you can make a half a kilometre detour to Melba’s Chocolates.
As you continue on to Charleston, you will see evidence of the fierce bushfires that came through here in December 2019.
Most years in April, there is an event on this section of the Amy Gillett Rail Trail called “The Hills Heist”. Locals ride antique and unusual bikes from Woodside to Charleston.
Charleston to Mount Torrens (7 km)
After Charleston, the gradient of the Amy Gillett Rail Trail becomes a little steeper. As a result, this second half of the bikeway is usually quieter than the first half.
There are cuttings
and some steep embankments.
During your climb towards the village of Mount Torrens, the Amy Gillett Rail Trail passes more vineyards.
If you would like to visit another winery, Lobethal Road cellar door is only 200 metres from the trail.
As you approach the northern end of the Amy Gillett Bikeway, you can see the badly burned forest of Mount Torrens above the vineyards on your left.
Amy Gillett Rail Trail – Future Developments
Adelaide Hills residents have long been advocating the extension of the Amy Gillett Bikeway to Mount Pleasant.
Recently, a coalition of local councils has proposed a Wine Capital Cycle Trail as a project to kick-start recovery from the Cuddlee Creek bushfires and COVID-19. The Wine Capital Cycle Trail will span 250 kilometres and the four South Australian wine regions of McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Barossa and Clare.
If this proposal is successful, it will see the completion of the Amy Gillett Rail Trail from Mount Torrens to Mount Pleasant in the north. On the southern side, the Wine Capital Cycle Trail would see the bikeway extended from Oakbank to Hahndorf.
Summary
The Amy Gillett Rail Trail packs a lot of punch in its sixteen kilometres. The easiest riding is between Oakbank and Charleston, but don’t miss the lovely views between Charleston and Mount Torrens.
Here is a short video of a recent ride on the bikeway.
Other iconic rail trails near Adelaide are the Coast to Vines Rail Trail and the Shiraz Rail Trail.
To try a scenic dirt road loop in the Adelaide Hills, see our Gumeracha Dirt Road Loop.
Are you coming from interstate and maybe interested in having the logistics of riding South Australia’s rail trails handled for you? Have a look at what’s on offer at Tour de Vine’s Rail Trails Tours of South Australia with both self-guided and small social group tours on offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Amy Gillett Rail Trail extends from north of Oakbank to Mount Torrens in the Adelaide Hills.
The Amy Gillett Bikeway is sixteen kilometres one way, 32 kilometres return.
There are several excellent cafes in Woodside, such as the Lobethal Bakery (Woodside), Avalon and the Woodside Providore.
Top picture: Amy Gillett Rail Trail near Charleston
