On our way to Melrose, Kathie, Rhonda and I stopped off at Laura to ride the Laura Stone Hut Rail Trail. With a gentle, steady incline over ten kilometres towards Stone Hut, a bakery at the end and a slight roll on the return journey, you could say it’s the perfect ride.
Like the Rocky River Rail Trail, the Laura Stone Hut Rail Trail is part of the Southern Flinders Rail Trail.
It’s easy to pick up the start of the trail from Laura at the sign post on North Terrace.
Starting from Laura
The rain began to drizzle only a few kilometres after we had set out from Laura.
As not all of us had rain jackets with us, we rode straight to Stone Hut without stopping, knowing that there would be shelter at the Stone Hut Bakery.
The Laura Stone Hut Rail Trail runs parallel to the Horrocks Highway all the way to Stone Hut. Fortunately, there is enough space between the rail trail and the road that you barely notice the traffic.
The rain stopped just as we arrived at Stone Hut.
There is an excellent historical walking tour at Stone Hut, but our chief interest was to get dry and warm.
Stone Hut Bakery
There is plenty of outdoor seating at the Stone Hut Bakery.
On this occasion, however, we were more than happy to sit inside to eat our lunch.
The Stone Hut Bakery has a well-deserved reputation for excellent pies. It’s worth stopping there even if you are just driving through.
Laura Stone Hut Cycle Track
Before leaving Stone Hut, we went to have a look at the Rocky River on the Laura Stone Hut Cycle Track. Unlike on a previous occasion, the river was low at the ford and quite passable.
We had considered returning to Laura along this slightly longer and more challenging track. However, as the weather was still looking unstable, we decided to return the short way back along the rail trail.
Our return trip to Laura was uneventful, and thankfully, dry.
Summary of the Laura Stone Hut Rail Trail
All together we had cycled 20 kilometres, including the short detour to see the Rocky River near Stone Hut. With a climb of only 60 metres over the whole distance, it’s quite a flat trail.
Map of our ride
Before I go, here is a picture of me on the Laura Stone Hut Rail Trail in August 2014 with our dog Kenji loving life in the front basket.
Another longer completed section of the the Southern Flinders Rail Trail is the Melrose Wilmington Rail Trail. While you are in the southern Flinders Ranges, why not visit Crystal Brook and try these great rides?
