It’s one of the world’s great walking trails, a 1200km hike that takes you through dusty outback ranges, rolling green hills and along breathtaking coastal clifftops.

And now South Australia’s Heysen Trail has a stunning new gateway that reflects its iconic status.

Located at either the start or the finish of the trail, depending on which way you’re walking, the new trailhead at Parachilna Gorge, pictured, is expected to become a landmark attraction for intrepid hikers keen to take on the track’s challenges.

The project has taken the existing – and rather tired – infrastructure that existed at the northern end of the trail and replaced it with aesthetic and culturally sensitive architectural features and environmentally friendly landscaping.

The revamp is part of a $130,000 project driven by the Friends of the Heysen Trail group.

The concept plan by architects Brave & Curious, arose from consultation with FOHT, local landholders, communities and Adnyamathanha representatives, and has been constructed by a team from the Prestwood family of Wilmington.

The project has been supported by a $30,000 injection from the Department for Environment and Water as well as funding from the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Outback Communities Authority, the Warren Bonython Heysen Trail Foundation and other organisations.

Many FOHT members and volunteers have also provided significant personal donations and sponsorship.

The trail, which stretches from the Flinders Ranges to the Fleurieu Peninsula is the longest dedicated walking trail in Australia, and takes in some of SA’s most scenic National Parks, including Deep Creek, Cleland, Mt Remarkable and Ikara-Flinders Ranges.

While relatively few hardened hikers take on the 50 to 60-day challenge of walking the entire trail, many thousands walk parts of it every year during the April to October walking season. Parts of the trail are closed during the summer months due to fire danger.

Click here for a hiker’s perspective of the Heysen Trail.