This flat trail links Salisbury Station with Adelaide’s northern industrial and defence precincts via the railway corridor, where possible, and by adjacent paths and roads where the railway corridor is not available. The trail gives cyclists and walkers an opportunity to view the remains of a once busy and important railway line. Some of the railway corridor is still on defence land and not accessible. Penfield Model Engineers Society has extensive landscaped grounds and railway networks in Penfield Park at the eastern end of Woomera Av (1.5 km from this trail). There are no facilities, shops or cafes along this trail and no signage; it must be self-navigated.

There are three short sections:

Salisbury to Penfield 1 (3.2 km): This section has a smooth hot-mix asphalt surface with some paving.

Penfield 1 to Penfield 3 (2.9 km): Covers the main area of the ordinance stores that served various armament factories.

Penfield 3 to Edinburgh North (1.2 km): This section is a sealed shared path to the west of the Penfield Line “balloon loop”.

Salisbury to Penfield 1 (3.2 km)

• This trail starts at Salisbury Station, which is on the Gawler Line. The town has two sizeable shopping centres with associated sizeable carparks and good facilities.
• From the station, find the shared path along its western side. Head north, cross Salisbury Hwy (A9) on the shared bridge and continue north. Approaching the Little Para River, cross the Little Para River Trail and continue north. At the next fork, veer right to squeeze between Salisbury High School and the diverging Main North Line on a shared path that joins Langford Tce. In this section, a pedestrian subway goes right under the Main North Line and this leads to a pedestrian bridge over the Gawler Line. From this bridge, the spur of the Penfield Line is visible diverging from the Gawler one and ending abruptly at the edge of an industrial estate. This spur has been straightened and electrified for use as a railcar siding.
• Continue northwest along Langford Tce with the Main North Line on the right.
• As you pass Compton St you are near the Hilra Station site on the far side of the Main North Line, in what is now an industrial estate. No evidence remains.
• Right turns are not allowed at the northern end of Langford Tce, so cyclists must use the ramp on the right and proceed on the footpath along Bagster Rd, crossing the Main North Line through the chicanes before crossing Bagster Rd to reach closed-to-traffic First Av.
• Here the Penfield Line corridor sits between the Main North one and First Av. At the end of the First Av trail, take the shared path to the left to stay close to the Main North Line, crossing the Penfield Line corridor again in the process.
• The shared path stops at West Av. Penfield 1 Station was just to the northeast of this point but no remains are visible. The security checkpoint at the entrance to the old Weapons Research Establishment lies to the east. Some buildings are still in use but access to this area is no longer restricted.
• At the north-western end of First Av, remains of the Penfield Line are visible on the right. The two tracks curved to the north while a single line went straight ahead to the bulk stores, of which some sawtooth-roof buildings still stand. Ballast and a number of concrete culverts remain near the junction.

Penfield 1 to Penfield 3 (2.9 km)

• This section is initially on the road or footpath, then a good quality shared path resumes to the west of the Penfield Line corridor.
• Proceed north along West Av, which is usually quiet in this section. The eastern footpath is a good option for children or adults who do not wish to ride on the road. Take care at the junction with Woomera Av.
• Before the Purling Av roundabout, cross to the eastern footpath to minimise road crossings. North of Purling Av, the trail is a good quality path well away from the road.
• Approaching Taranaki Rd roundabout, Penfield 3 Station remains are visible on the right.
• At the eastern end of Woomera Av (1.5 km from West Av) is the Penfield Model Engineers Society’s property, with extensive landscaped grounds and miniature railway networks
• The first road crossing north of the Purling Rd roundabout is for the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) main entrance, which can be busy at peak hours
• The Penfield Line crossed Fifth Ave to the west of the DSTG entrance gates and Penfield 2 Station was just south of the entrance road. No evidence remains.
• The base has an AP3C Orion aircraft and Leopard tank on display near the gates
• North of the DSTG entrance, the Penfield railway corridor can be discerned from remaining ballast, culverts and tree lines
• Close to the RAAF Edinburgh fence are several sawtooth-roof red brick warehouses that have loading platforms on their eastern sides. They were served by a spur line that crossed West Av north of Taranaki Rd
• The platform and shelter of Penfield 3 Station remain near Taranaki Rd, but is overgrown

Penfield 3 to Edinburgh North (1.2 km)

• This section is on a good quality sealed path to the west of the Penfield Line “balloon loop”. An alternate route is to travel via Taranaki Rd past Penfield 3 Station and turn left into East Av which, for much of its length, is closed to traffic but open to cyclists and pedestrians.
• The location of the balloon loop can be discerned at various times of the year, depending on crops and grazing
• Both routes end at Bellchambers Rd, Edinburgh North.
• Turn right on Bellchambers Rd to travel to Elizabeth Station and the Gawler Line.