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 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Highly recommend the Clare Valley walk with Tim & Bianca.  The hikes were great & clearly a lot of thought has gone into the schedule.  Some lovely long lunches & delicious wines to try.  A really great 5 days.
  
 
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 Bronwyn Jury 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
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10/10 for an expertly curated and organised 5-day experience hosted by a warm and wonderful team - Tim and Bianca.  As a group of four from Melbourne, we found it all worked perfectly - the lodge, the planning for the walks, the balance between wine tastings, walking, dining out for lunch and dining in for dinners, and the overall professional but personal approach of our hosts.   Each day was structured to work for the given weather conditions, the walking route, and the accommodation of varied wine tastings and dining experiences.  This is perfect for people who love a relaxing break that provides a mix of fairly gentle outdoors activity, good food and wine in a beautiful setting.  We walked in October and the weather conditions during the days varied fairly wildly from hot (around 29 celcius) to cold (around 8 celcius) - Tim and Bianca organised our days to fit the conditions, and there was always the great option to take a day off walking and stay at the lodge.  While the trail is a little hilly, this is not difficult walking and should be easily managed for anyone who is moderately fit and mobile.
  
 
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 Libby Mitchell 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
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We are a group of older women who loved our amazing long weekend Clare Valley walk.  We extended to 3 nights & enjoyed 2 beautiful walks through the peaceful & scenic Clare Valley.  The walks were really enjoyable, long enough to work up a hearty appetite to enjoy the amazing meals supplied by local restaurants, the food was top quality.  Our accommodation was luxurious & comfortable.  Thank you Tim & Bianca for organising all of this for us, we appreciated your driving us around & the amazing itinerary.  It surpassed our expectations.
  
 
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 Anna-Marie Harders 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
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We are seasoned travellers and this curated walk is up there with our best experiences- Tim and Bianca are knowledgeable and outstanding hosts and guides, the accomodation and amenity is fabulous and the overall experience - well, this is the Clare Valley at its best - we couldn’t recommend more highly (just be prepared for flies when it warms up!) - Owen & Sue 😊👍🏻
  
 
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 Owen Ung 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
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Exceptional few days. Tim and Bianca are very welcoming and knowledgeable. Wonderful accommodation and first class food.
  
 
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 Janet Hinds 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 10/10 – Clare Valley Walking Tour Absolutely loved this experience! The scenery was stunning — rolling vineyards, peaceful trails, and that relaxed Clare Valley charm everywhere you looked. The walk was perfectly paced and thoughtfully organised, with beautiful accommodation, great food, and seamless communication from start to finish. Huge thanks to Bianca and Tim for making it all so enjoyable — their attention to detail, warmth, and local knowledge made the whole experience unforgettable. Highly recommend if you’re looking for the best way to explore the Clare Valley! 🍷🥾🌿
  
 
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 Cassandra D'Arcy 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
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Highly recommend the walk.  Excellent trails, guides, food, wine and beautiful accommodation.  Tim and Bianca are very professional and accommodating.
  
 
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 Joe Whyte 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
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Five days of great walks and wine tasting - thoroughly enjoyed all the walks and all the fine dining at wineries and the lodge. Highly recommended for anyone that enjoys fun and adventure
  
 
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 Michael Cedar 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
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A fantastic 3 days of walking, laughs, gorgeous scenery,  brilliant food and of course, wine! Tim and Bianca run a friendly, relaxed walking holiday, both are very knowledgeable about the Clare Valley and wine industry in general. Accommodation in the stunning lodge was very comfortable. A really enjoyable few days, I'd go again!
  
 
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 marianne taylor 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
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We had the most wonderful experience on the 3 day Clare Valley Walk. We experienced great views, a  manageable variety of terrain and delicious food and wine, highly recommend!!
  
 
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 Lisa Bizzotto 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
    
 
 

Clare Valley Walking Tour Overview

Our 5 day guided walking tour along the Clare Valley Wine & Wilderness Trail is our premium product featuring exceptional hiking, luxury accommodation, premium food and wine, and exclusive private tasting experiences.

We take care of everything from pick up to drop off. Tours depart from & return to Adelaide.

Included

• 4 nights superb Clare Valley Accommodation.
• 4 Lunches at 4 of the Clare Valley’s best;
  • Skillogalee Winery Restaurant
  • Paulett’s Winery – Bush Devine Cafe
  • Pikes Winery – Slate Restaurant
  • Watervale Hotel Restaurant
• 4 catered dinners enjoyed in the Lodge from Clare Valley’s best
  • Watervale Hotel
  • Ragu & Co
  • Indii of Clare
• Exclusive private tasting experience with local winemaker.
• Transport from and returning to Adelaide SA.
• Carry only a small day pack.
• Approximately 10km – 14km per day hiking, moderate terrain.
• Flexible days, relax in the lodge if you want a day off hiking.
• 2 x local hiking guides to take care of all your needs.

Not Included

• Pre and post tour accommodation (if required) in Adelaide.
• Please bring a small day pack to carry water, camera & snacks etc.
• Please provide your own hiking gear as required, clothing, poles, shoes etc

5 Day Clare Valley Wine & Wilderness Trail Tour Itinerary

• Please Note: We attempt to stick to the following itinerary as close as possible, however sometimes we need the flexibility to restructure this slightly due to local conditions including weather.

1. Adelaide to the Clare Valley

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The Clare Valley Wine Region lies just 1.5 hours drive North of Adelaide, located in in the northern reaches of the Mt Lofty Ranges, the Clare Valley is dotted with small boutique wineries, stunning rural landscapes, large tracts of native bush and some of the best food and wine on offer anywhere in the Country.

Our goal over the next 3 days is to sample it all by combining our love for all things Clare Valley with our love for hiking and walking.

After a quick stop in Clare for a local tea / coffee, we head straight for the start the Clare Valley Wine & Wilderness Trail. This 100km hiking trail meanders through the rural and wilderness landscapes of the Clare Valley, emerging to walk past 26 cellar doors, multiple restaurants, cafes and pubs.

Todays walk is about 12km in length and forms part of stage 2 of the trail, utilising backroads, private property and the Spring Gully Conservation Park, it’s a moderate grade with a few hills thrown in to test us out (and provide some great views).

After resting with a campfire & picnic lunch at a beautiful bush setting we arrive at Jeanneret Wines where, if you like you can do a wine tasting.

We’ll then make our way to our accommodation.

All our evening meals on this tour are served in the accommodation and prepared by local restaurants and caterers, and are served with a selection of Clare Valley Wine. Tonight’s meal is supplied by the award winning Watervale Hotel, who in 2023 were voted the best Hotel Restaurant in the world!

Summary Day 1

• Pick up from your Adelaide City Accommodation.
• Drive to the Clare Valley (approx 1.5 hours).
• Walk Stage 2 of the CVWWT.
• Campfire Picnic Lunch.
• Wine tasting at Jeanneret Wines.
• Check into our accommodation.
• Evening meal in the lodge supplied by the Watervale Hotel with local wine.
• Meals: LD.
• Walking Distance: 11.7km.

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2. Clare Valley Wine & Wilderness Trail

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After a hearty breakfast and briefing from your guide, we drive a short distance to to the Visitors Centre for our 12.5km walk to the Polish Hill River Valley, where we lunch at Pikes Slate Restaurant, walking along stage 6 of the CVWWT.

Only a few hundred metres from the Visitors Centre, we cross a fence and start our challenging trek along the Gillentown Range, a spectacular walk along a heavily wooded ridge with views in every direction. After an hour or so we reach the charming Village of Sevenhill.

The walk continues onto the Historic Sevenhill Cellars, the Clare Valley’s first and oldest winery, established by Jesuits escaping religious persecution in Poland 1851, the property is full of history and we’ll we have plenty of time to check out the numerous buildings, including the vaulted ceiling cellar and church crypt, and of course we cannot leave without tasting a little of their produce, those into fortified wine will enjoy Sevenhill’s expertise in this area. We also stop at Sevenhill Cellars for morning tea on the lawn.

From Sevenhill Cellars we head up and over the Dunns range through beautiful farmland and into the Polish Hill River Valley where we locate our restaurant and sit down for well deserved lunch with wine.

Set on the banks of the Hill River, the Modern Pikes Slate Winery / Restaurant is one of Clare’s best and will not disappoint.

After lunch we head to our Lodge Accommodation which is just 10 minutes drive away. The lodge is very welcoming and you’ll love the huge windows and open fire. For those not quite ready to relax we also the option to swing past a winery for a tasting, both Hill River Wines & Pikes are great options close by.

Tonights dinner is supplied by Ragu & Co, a seriously authentic Italian restaurant in Clare, they serve their signature 12 hour slow cooked beef and pork ragu, for those with dietary issues other options are available.

Summary Day 2

• All Transport
• Pikes Lunch with wine
• Walk Stage 6 of the CVWWT
• Optional Wine Tasting at Hill River Wine or Pikes
• Ragu & Co Catered meal in the lodge with Clare Valley wine.
• Meals: BLD
• Walk Distance: 12.5km

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3. Clare Valley Wine & Wilderness Trail

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Today we tackle stage 1 of the CVWWT, we have a 10km trek starting on the exposed lofty heights of the Dunns Range and finishing on the floor of the Valley amoung giant gums on the banks of the Hutt River, at the stunning Clare Valley Distillery (opened in early 2025) for a refreshing Gin.

Our first stop after 3km is the CVWWT hikers hut perched on top of the range, this privately owned hut provides shelter from winter winds and summer sun and can be used by trail walkers as a rest stop. We’ll stop her for our morning tea break.

We then push southward and remain on the ridge for another few km, this is one of the highest elevations we’ll reach over the 3 days at around 560 metres above sea level, the views are also some of the best we’ll get, with the Dunns range separating the Clare Valley from the Polish Hill River Valley we gain a great perspective of the whole region and can see most of the areas where we have spent the past 3 day walking.

Once off the ridge we get into the bush and eventually emerge and join the Riesling Trail for, where after a short distance we arrive at the Gin Distillery.

After a well deserved refreshment we jump in the bus and drive short distance to Paulett Wines for lunch.

Pauletts operate the Bush Devine Cafe and is recognised as one of the best in the region. Wine drinkers can enjoy a glass with lunch.

Summary

• Transport the walk
• Pauletts Lunch with wine
• Walk Stage 1 of the CVWWT
• Wine Tasting at Pikes
• Evening meal in the lodge with local wine
• Meals: BLD
• Walk Distance: 10km

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4. Clare Valley Wine & Wilderness Trail

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We start the day with another healthy breakfast at the lodge and a briefing from your guide.

Today we are walking on stage 3 of the CVWWT from the village of Leasingham to the award winning Skillogalee Restaurant, located in a beautiful and historic stone cottage at the head of the Skilly Valley, a distance of 12km.

From the get go, we get the blood pumping and climb up to the ridge separating the Clare Valley from the Skilly Vally, known locally as the Skilly Hills, taking special note of the Shiraz vineyard on the left with the lone Pepper Tree growing at it’s centre.

From our ridge vantage point we are rewarded with stunning views, the walk roughly follows the ridge but also diverts into some beautiful valleys full of gnarly old River Gums and the classic Clare Valley Native bush that you will now be getting familiar with.

Eventually we hit a back road which takes us along the valley floor past numerous vineyards, sheep paddocks and very English looking historic stone homes.

We’ll stop for morning tea and tasting at Mitchell Wines, it would be wrong not to at least try their signature wine, the Pepper Tree Shiraz, sourced from the vineyard at the start of our walk.

It’s now only a short 15 minute walk to Skillogalee, where again our walk concludes as we go through their front door and settle in for a long lunch under their famous olive tree, or inside by the open fire if it a cold wintery day.

Summary

• Transport the walk
• Skillogalee Restaurant Lunch
• Walk Stage 3 of the CVWWT
• Wine tasting with lunch
• Transfers to Adelaide
• Meals: BL
• Walk Distance: 12km

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5. Clare Valley Wine & Wilderness Trail

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For our final day in the Clare Valley we have a great 11.5km walk from Pikes Wins in the Polish Hill River Valley to the Watervale Hotel in Watervale, following stage 5 of the CVWWT

As is the theme for most of out lunches, our walk ends when we enter the pub.

The Watervale Hotel is a real treat, voted the best Hotel Restaurant in the world in 2023, owners Warrick and Nicola have a level 11 passion for locally sourced produce, what they don’t grow on their own biodynamic farm they buy in for only the best and most responsible suppliers.

With a variable menu based around the growing seasons, their dedication to all things food has paid off and you will not be disappointed with what they have to offer.

We stop for a morning tea break in a beautiful bush setting and if conditions permit we get the campfire going.

Depending on our progress wine lovers may have time for a tasting at Crabtree prior to lunch.

After lunch it’s time to head back to Adelaide where we’ll drop you off at your accommodation or the airport, our normal arrival time is 5pm.

Summary

• Transport the walk
• Watervale Hotel Lunch with wine
• Walk Stage 5 of the CVWWT
• Wine Tasting at Crabtree (if time permits)
• Transport to Adelaide.
• Meals: BL
• Walk Distance: 11.4km
• Walking Grade: Grade 3, a couple of big hills.

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About Your Accommodation

Clare Valley Wilderness Lodge

The Clare Valley Wilderness Lodge is located in the Spring Gully region of the Clare Valley, just 10 minutes from the Clare Township.

It is a large stone home which sleeps 10 comfortably in 5 king / twin rooms, (from 2026 capacity will be 12) there is a large central lounge with huge fireplace, leather couches, large dinning table and floor the ceiling windows to take in the magnificent views. For more about the Lodge click: Clare Valley Accommodation

About Your Guides

Your local Clare Valley Wine & Wilderness Trail guides are Tim & Bianca Grigg.

Tim & Bianca have 2 decades of experience operating adventure tours all over Australia through their travel business, Travelwild Australia Pty Ltd, which operates tours from the Clare Valley to the Kimberley and everything in between.

Both Tim & Bianca have been heavily involved in Clare Valley Wine & Wilderness Trail (CVWWT) Committee, the group responsible for setting up the trail which we use on the tours. Tim is Chairman and Bianca is on the committee, The Clare Valley Walk is also a corporate sponsor of the trail.

In addition to operating walking tours, Travelwild Australia also also operates Clare Valley Wine Tours, so we know a thing or two about the beautiful wine coming out of the Clare Valley as well. Importantly both Tim & Banca are a keen hikers and have lived in the Clare Valley for over 20 years.

Clare Valley Wine & Wilderness Trail (CVWWT)

Much of the 3 day walk uses the CVWWT, the trail is the brain child of local Doctor, Michael Nugent. Michael has banded together a bunch of locals who work hard to make it happen. Started in 2020 and completed in 2024, the trail is 105 km in length and mostly uses private property, over 50 individual landholders have agreed the have the trail pass through their properties.

Find out more about the CVWWT at cvwwt.com.au

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