Stage 2 of the Larapinta Trail covers 25.4 km from Simpsons Gap to Jay Creek, with 428 m of ascent and 305 m of descent. The highest point is 820 m. Allow about 9 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 2/3 trailhead in the Jay Creek bed, 0.1 km from the trail, with a toilet, tables, a water tank and a USB charging point. There is no vehicle or pedestrian access from the Hamilton Downs road in 2026, so no pick-ups here except in an emergency.
NT Parks walkers' campsite at about km 16 of Section 2, 0.1 km off the trail, with a toilet, tables and a water tank. Many walkers stop here to split the 26 km section into two days.
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.