A guide to Cycling in the Clare Valley
The Clare Valley is a cyclists' haven, with plenty of trails to ride including the famous Riesling Trail.
The Riesling Trail
Perhaps the most iconic, bucket list destination in the Clare Valley, you absolutely must check out the Riesling Trail on your next visit. Following an old railway line, the trail is relatively flat (the trains didn't love big hills, and neither do we, meaning no big hills to climb). It was developed in 1994 after the Ash Wednesday Bushfires of 1983 damaged the line beyond repair. The trail runs for 33kms from Barina down to Auburn, passing by many vineyards and historical sites.
Want to read more? We have a whole blog specifically on how to ride the Riesling Trial, check it out here.
The Rattler Trail
The Rattler Trail is an extension of the Riesling Trail, officially opened in 2007. It runs from Auburn to Riverton via Rhynie.
Mawson Trail
As one of the longest trails in South Australia, the Mawson Trail is 900kms in length and runs all the way from Blinman in the Flinders Ranges to Lobethal in the Adelaide Hills. It passes through Burra via White Hut Road into Clare and then down to Riverton, and is designed for mountain biking, particularly in the sections north of Burra.
Shamus Liptrot Trail
The Shamus Liptrot Cycling Trail runs from Halbury to Balaklava for 10kms. It is named after a local cyclist born in Halbury in 1992, who unfortunately suffered a cycling accident and died as a result at the age of 19. The trail was constructed along a disused railway line so is flat and relatively easy.
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Lavender Cycling Trail (M2C)
The Lavender Cycling Trail (M2C) is a 300-kilometre gravel and dirt bikepacking route from Murray Bridge to Clare in South Australia. Inspired by the Lavender Federation Walking Trail but designed specifically for cyclists, it winds through diverse landscapes—including woodlands, wetlands, and farmland—and passes through rural towns like Eden Valley and Eudunda. Entirely volunteer-built and maintained, the trail is not signposted, so riders should download maps from the official website. While accessible from Adelaide, the route includes remote sections with limited mobile reception, so good preparation is essential.
Bike Hire
Bike hire is available in Clare from Clare Valley Cycle Hire, Riesling Trail Bike Hire and Scoot the Valley, and in Auburn from Cogwebs. Please call operators beforehand to book.