Adelaide Stirling Loop
Adelaide Hills, SA
At a Glance
About the Adelaide Stirling Loop
40km Adelaide-Stirling loop via Mt Lofty Summit and Crafers - the city's go-to half-day Hills ride and Tour Down Under stage finish.
The Stirling Loop is the most-ridden Saturday morning route in Adelaide - a compact 40km circuit that climbs from the city to Mount Lofty Summit (the iconic Tour Down Under stage finish) and returns via Stirling and Crafers. From the city, riders climb Greenhill Road or Old Mt Barker Road to Crafers, traverse to Mt Lofty Summit (the highest point in the Mt Lofty Ranges at 727m), then descend through Stirling, Aldgate and Mylor before returning to the city via Glen Osmond Road. Total elevation gain is around 800m.
The loop's defining feature is the Mt Lofty Summit climb - a 5.5km ascent at 7% from Greenhill that has hosted multiple Tour Down Under finishes including the famous 2019 Richie Porte stage win. The summit cafe offers panoramic views over Adelaide and the Gulf St Vincent.
The Crafers Hotel sits at the top of the Old Freeway climb and is the unofficial Adelaide cycling clubhouse.
Gradient profile — Avg gradient: 2%, Max gradient: 10%.
Adelaide Stirling Loop Safety & Warnings
Busy at peak commuter hours; hot summer afternoons; winter fog above 500m.
Adelaide Stirling Loop Highlights
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Nearby
Campsites(5)
Trails(3)
Attractions(5)
Toilets(3)
Groceries(5)
Fuel(5)
Dump Points(5)
Johnson Memorial Recreation Ground
Free · 11.9km
Balhannah Dump Point
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Mount Barker Recreation Grounds
Free · 18.6km
Mount Barker Dump Point
Free · 18.7km
Meadows Recreation Ground
Free · 23.9km