Despite a nine kilometre detour around Klein Point Mine, Walk the Yorke between Stansbury and Edithburgh is well worth doing for its stunning clifftop scenery.
Stansbury to Klein Point Mine (5 km)
Starting at Stansbury and heading south, we got a surprise when, after two kilometres, the Walk the Yorke trail suddenly left the well-formed beach level path and shot up to a very rough clifftop track.
We double-checked Map 4 of the Walk the Yorke, and sure enough, this section was intended as a shared path for both walkers and cyclists. Never mind, we wouldn’t have missed these views for anything!
The rough track became steeper and more dramatic. Suddenly it plunged twenty metres into a deep gully. Can you see Di at the bottom and Brian towards the top of the hill?
Unfortunately this next shot was taken facing into the sun, but hopefully you can see Rhonda pushing her bike up the hill.
Eventually we emerged onto more manageable and equally scenic track.
Despite the challenges, we absolutely loved these first five kilometres south of Stansbury.
Klein Point Mine to Wool Bay (13 km)
Next, there is a nine kilometre section to circumvent Klein Point Mine. The first four kilometres of this is pleasant enough.
However, the subsequent five kilometres along Hayward Park Road was really not enjoyable. While there is a path on the southern side of the road, it’s in poor condition. Although cars were infrequent, they were fast moving.
There is a short, 800 metre divergence away from the side of the road, but it’s not easy to see, and most of us missed it.
However, the final approach to Wool Bay is absolutely stunning.
We had our lunch at a charming clifftop picnic table before descending to see the Lime Kiln and jetty at Wool Bay.
Wool Bay to Coobowie
The two-storey lime kiln at Wool Bay is an interesting feature of this ride.
Built between 1900 and 1910 to burn lime, this kiln was originally one of six. The product of the kilns, quicklime, was exported to Adelaide for use in mortar and brick-making.
Continuing our Walk the Yorke ride, we cycled along the clifftop and past the Port Giles silos, where a huge ship was being loaded by conveyor belt with grain for export.
After Port Giles, more lovely clifftop track!
Coobowie to Edithburgh
Heading south from Coobowie towards Edithburgh, the Walk the Yorke trail is very well formed. A highlight of this section is crossing the Coobowie Inlet causeway, originally built in 1878 but altered in 2005 to restore tidal flow.
Enjoying the lovely views as we rounded Giles Point,
it wasn’t long before we arrived back in Edithburgh.
Summary of Walk the Yorke between Stansbury and Edithburgh
All together, we had cycled 33 kilometres and climbed 195 metres over the whole distance.
While we preferred our Walk the Yorke ride from Port Moorowie to Edithburgh, Stansbury to Edithburgh was memorable for its lovely clifftop views.
For more information about Walk the Yorke between Stansbury and Edithburgh, see the Walk the Yorke website.
Top picture: Walk the Yorke north of Wool Bay
