Larapinta Trail Section 12

Larapinta Trail Section 12 is the Larapinta Trail’s Mount Sonder “grand-finale” segment in Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park. This section is commonly tracked as a direct Redbank Gorge to Mount Sonder out-and-back, ending at the lookout summit area of Mount Sonder (Rwetjepme).

Expect a sustained climb out of Redbank Gorge into more exposed high-desert ridgelines as you work toward Mount Sonder. The route stays largely uncovered, so you’re dealing with steep, rocky ground and a lot of sun exposure during daylight hours.

The climb is described as hard/Grade 4, with an ascent on rough and sometimes exposed terrain. Plan for a long day: typical round-trip time is about 6–8 hours for this specific section.

Distance and effort are substantial for a “section”: the common round-trip figure is about 16 km (9.7 miles) from Redbank Gorge to Mount Sonder, with roughly 780 m of elevation gain.

On the top end, Mount Sonder rises to about 1,380 m and is a premier viewpoint on the Larapinta Trail, with broad 360-degree outlooks over the surrounding desert country.

Water planning is a core part of this section. The walk is fully exposed with limited shade; carry sufficient water, with a commonly recommended range of at least 3–4 liters per person for this climb.

More information: Map, Mount Sonder Hike: Larapinta Trail’s Best Sunrise Trek, Toiyabe Crest Trail Loop