Stage 9 of the Larapinta Trail covers 12.7 km from Ellery Creek North to Serpentine Gorge, with 202 m of ascent and 132 m of descent. The highest point is 770 m. Allow about 4.5 hours of walking, plus breaks.
Distance, climb and elevation come from the Outest route data. Difficulty and time are estimates from distance and climb; your pace will vary with heat, pack weight and photo stops.
NT Parks walkers' campsite at the Section 7/8 trailhead, on the trail and about 0.5 km from the Serpentine Gorge car park, with a toilet, tables and a water tank. The car park has a food-drop storeroom; there is no vehicle camping.
Checked online in October 2026. Places marked "not confirmed by the operator" are listed on OpenStreetMap or in guides but could not be checked on an official page. There are no huts on the Larapinta Trail: you camp in your own tent, and every night must be booked and paid online at parkbookings.nt.gov.au before you go. Check which campsites have a water tank and carry enough water to reach the next one.
Emergency: call 000 (112 from a mobile). Carry a PLB. Emergency & health guide
Pharmacies, ATMs, shops and stops: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hospitals and health centres checked online.
The full stage works offline in Outest, with the route, elevation, water and village points, and a trail guide you can ask about conditions and the next place to sleep.