Mount Lofty (via Crafers Bikeway) Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

8.7
PDI
8.4 mi
DISTANCE
1,977 ft
GAINED
4 %
AVG. GRADE

FULL CLIMB STATS

INTRO

This is a great full-tilt climb free from traffic for the majority of the effort. From the old tollgate at the foot of the South Eastern Freeway, you'll follow a rolling ascent 13.5 km before reaching the highest point in the Adelaide region - Mount Lofty Summit - where you can reward yourself with a coffee and a great view of the city.

Mount Lofty is included in Stage 5 of the 2023 Tour Down Under - FIVE TIMES!

See also PJAMM Cycling's Top Australia Bike Climbs and Top South Australia Bike Climbs pages. 

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via our interactive Profile Tool.
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CLIMB SUMMARY

sign reads "Welcome to Mount Lofty Summit"

Cycling Mt. Lofty from Crafers Bikeway

Ride 13.5 kilometers gaining 603 meters at 4% average grade (5.8% climb only).

photo collage shows animal crossing signs, road signs for Mt. Lofty Summit; bike parked in front of summit sign, view looking down from climb summit on Adelaide region

Mount Lofty is the highest point in the Adelaide Region.

The Crafers Bikeway climb starts on the main throughway in and out of the city. Once on the bike path, you’re cruisin’. The quality of that bike path is a real testament to the cyclist culture in Adelaide. They even had road workers doing repairs on the path the day I rode it. The climb itself never pitches up very aggressively. For most of the way, you’ll parallel the freeway and views are minimal. The part of the parkway enters a more residential area, and you even pass some wineries towards Crafers.

 photo collage shows large billboard reading "Probably Doesn't Wear a Seatbelt Either"; sign for bike only on pathway; large white tree, tree-lined roadway

bike and jersey leaning against large red and yellow road sign for Devils Elbow

At kilometer 3 we turn right and pass under and to the south side of the freeway.

view looking down over two-lane roadway with bike path

Most of the Bikeway follows Princes Highway and then Mount Baker Road.

bike leans against wooden fence in front of vineyards

View northwest toward Adelaide from kilometer 6.1.

bike and PJAMM Cycling Australia jersey lean against low stone wall in front of Cleland National Park sign

Cleland National Park is to our left (north) for the final 3 kilometers leading to Crafers and the left turn onto Mount Lofty Summit Road. The park is named after famed Australian naturalist Sir John Burton Cleland, and includes a Wildlife Park that is a major tourist attraction in the Adelaide area.

bike parked in front of white monument at Mt. Lofty Ranges Fire Spotting Tower

Mount Lofty Summit.

The climb to Mount Lofty Summit  from Crafers after turning onto Mount Lofty Summit Road is 3.1 kilometers at4.9% (5.8% climb only).

Mount Lofty will become infinitely more famous in the cycling world because of Stage 5 of the 2023 Tour Down Under.

Stage 5

January 22, 2023

Unley - Mount Lofty - Summit Finish

112.5 kilometers gaining 2,783 meters

Steepest segments:  500 km 8.9% / 1 km 8.1%

START: 11:30 AM, King William Road, Unley

FINISH: 2:29 PM, Mount Lofty Summit Road, Mount Lofty

Stage 5 of the 2023 Tour Down Under has 5 ascents of Mount Lofty - all of which include the climb from Crafers.

  • Start:  Mount Lofty from Adelaide - 11.7 kilometers gaining 526 meters at 4.4% average grade (5.1% climb only)
  • Climbs 2-5 (including summit finish) - 10.5 kilometers gaining 343 meters at 2.7% (4% climb only).

Stage 5 TDU - Mount Lofty start - first of 5 Mt. Lofty climbs.

Ride 11.7 kilometers gaining 526 meters at 4.4% average grade (5.1% climb only).

Climbs 2-5 of 2023 TDU Stage 5 - Mount Lofty Climbs 2-4

Steepest 500 meter is 8.8% and kilometer 8.3%

The steepest segment on Mount Lofty climbs 2-5 is 7.9% for 1.5 kilometers and begins just before the turn onto Mount Lofty Road at Crafers.