This short but charming section of the Murray to Clare Lavender Cycling Trail (M2C) includes the popular loop into historic Springton.
Eden Valley to Springton Loop (15 km)
From Eden Valley, the M2C heads east along Rhine Park Road for three kilometres. Take care not to miss the turn onto Moss Smith Road, guarded and partly hidden by two large gum trees.
Soon you come to this one-lane bridge across the Marne River, which runs even during the dry of summer.
From the Marne River crossing, you climb for several kilometres before rolling down to the turn-off at Church Road, marked by a church which is now in private hands.
Soon you are climbing again as you approach the Springton loop. But first, you pass this rocky outcrop and the illusion of a “tunnel to the sky”.
Springton Loop (7 km)
The seven kilometre Springton loop is a little hilly, but it doesn’t seem to make much difference which way you ride the loop. Heading down Carters Road, you pass the Springton Lutheran Church, with its unusual bell tower, on the way into town.
Don’t forget to take a 100 metre detour to see the Historic Herbig Family Tree.
This red gum, estimated to be between three and five hundred years old, provided the first Australian home for German settler Friedrich Herbig, his wife and two of their children.
The nearby Springton General Store supplies groceries, takeaway food, coffee, newspapers and postal services.
Heading out of town again, you follow N Herbig Road
to the Friedensberg Lutheran School and Church, established in 1861.
It’s worth following the track down the hill to the creek where you can find the historic cemetery with German language headstones.
Springton Loop to Mount Pleasant (10 km)
As you climb Verralls Road, take the time to look back and catch some lovely views towards Springton.
As you cycle on, the vineyards and farms with stone fences become smaller and soon you are turning into the attractive plane tree-lined streets of Mount Pleasant.
White settlers came to the Mount Pleasant region only a few years after the establishment of the South Australian colony in 1836. The town remained an administrative centre until 1997, when it was absorbed into the Barossa Council.
Food
As mentioned above, you can buy coffee and takeaway food at the Springton General Store. The Springton Hotel may also be open, but please phone ahead to check their hours.
One you arrive in Mount Pleasant, you can choose from the Mount Pleasant Bakery, Cafe and General Store, Lovell’s Bakery, the Mount Pleasant Hotel or the Totness Inn Hotel.
Accommodation and Camping
For accommodation and camping suggestions for M2C between Eden Valley and Mt Pleasant, see the Lavender Trail Accommodation Page, Map 2. In addition to this, you might like to try:
Springton
If you know of accomodation here please let us know
Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant Hotel Motel, right on the M2C
Camping: Mount Pleasant Showgound Caravan Park, 500 metres from the M2C
Public Toilets
Public toilets are available in Springton and Mount Pleasant.
Summary of M2C ride between Eden Valley and Mt Pleasant
While you are climbing overall (467 metres) for this 32 km section of the Lavender Cycling Trail, there is plenty to see for those who are able to take their time.
The full map of the Murray to Clare Cycling Trail is available here. However, for ease of reference this section from Eden Valley and Mt Pleasant is shown below:
Read More:
For a personal account of this section of the M2C between Moculta and Eden Valley, including more photos, see an eBiker’s ride from Moculta to Mount Pleasant.
For information about the next section of the trail:-
Heading North: see the Truro to Eden Valley page.
Heading South: see the Mount Pleasant to Murray Bridge page.
If you would like to provide feedback about the trail, please contact us by using the Contact Page. We will respond to you as soon as possible.