Anderson Loop Trail Head

The Anderson Loop Trail Head sits in the Kersbrook and Bennetts Forest area of ForestrySA land near Chain of Ponds, north east of Adelaide in the Mount Crawford Forest region. It offers a proper bush escape for you and your dog: a hilly loop through pine plantation and native scrub that feels worlds away from suburbia, even though it is surprisingly accessible.

The walk

The circuit is commonly walked at around 4km, with longer fire-track options through the surrounding forest if you want more distance. Terrain mixes upper forest tracks, native gum stands and pine plantation edges, and some sections can be unformed or overgrown, so keep an eye on your navigation.

It is a moderate, hilly walk with high-point views over the surrounding hills and reservoir country. This is a working commercial forest, so expect logged and replanted coups alongside the older native sections.

Leash status

Dogs are welcome on ForestrySA land but must be kept on a lead at all times, with ForestrySA conditions specifying a lead of no more than 3 metres. Keep your dog under close control and yield the trail to other users, mountain bikers and wildlife.

Water

There are no water stations, bins or shelters on the trail, so bring your own water, waste bags and anything else you need for a couple of hours out. A collapsible bowl earns its place, because even a short hill loop works up a thirst on warmer days.

Pepsi: pack everything you need, because there is no water and no bins out here. A collapsible bowl and a couple of litres covers the loop with a hot dog at the end.

Watch-outs

Mountain biking is popular on these forest tracks, and riders can come through quickly, especially around blind corners. Keep your dog close on a short lead if yours is nervous or reactive around bikes.

ForestrySA forests close on declared Total Fire Ban days, and fire is prohibited between 1 November and 30 April, so check conditions before you drive out in summer.

Getting there

The trail head is off South Para Road towards Kersbrook, north of Chain of Ponds, with a free carpark at the trail head in the designated forestry area. The drive from the Adelaide Hills townships is short, and the nearest coffee is in Inglewood, a few minutes back down the road.

When to go

Start early to avoid peak mountain bike traffic, especially on weekends. The first stretch of shared track is the busiest, so a short lead until you clear it makes the walk more relaxed. Cool, damp mornings bring out the pine smell and the best of the forest.

For off-lead time afterward, the Williamstown Fenced Dog Park is a short drive away, and Inglewood Inn is a handy pub stop on the way home.

More walks are on the South Australia trail guide and the Chain of Ponds destination page.