The Stockade Rail Trail features a wide gravel surface, with fine gravel through Unity Park and coarser gravel sections along Dry Creek. The transition to the Dry Creek Trail to get around government buildings in the railway corridor should be treated with caution.

Pooraka to Northfield (1.5 km)

• The trail starts on the eastern side of Main North Rd. There is parking at the tennis courts slightly north and at the Gepps Cross Homemaker Centre off Matthews Rd. It is some distance from Dry Creek Station on the Gawler Line.
• Pooraka Station was on the western side of Main North Rd.
• There are no rail trail signs but the railway reserve is still clearly visible, flanked by rows of tall gums, and some railway remnants can be seen adjacent to the path.
• There is a pleasant park with Winds of Change sculptures immediately north of the trailhead.
• Head east along the trail, bypassing the vehicle control gates if closed. Cross Levels–City Bikeway as you enter Unity Park, where there are a number of path options if you want to explore.
• Toilets and facilities are located close to South Tce.
• Northfield Station was located where the Cross Keys BMX Club and Pooraka Skate Park now are.

Northfield to Stockade (1.1 km)

• Cross Bridge/Briens Rd at the traffic lights.
• Turn left onto the eastern Briens Rd footpath, passing a works depot for the Department of Infrastructure and Transport which prevents access to the railway reserve.
• After 200 m, with the Bridgeway Hotel to your left, you reach the Dry Creek Trail. Take care as this detour has a steep descent and climb on a loose surface.
• After you get around the depot, the trail rejoins the railway reserve and there are several paths to choose from. The lower one near the creek, with a dark gravel surface, is on the railway alignment.
• Alternatively, turn right at the eastern Briens Rd footpath and go 100 m south to Howard Rd. Follow Howard Rd uphill and enter Stockade Botanical Park. Turn into the car park and take the path near the toilet block. To rejoin the rail reserve, turn left and proceed east onto a gravel path which drops steeply. The steep section should be approached with caution.
• Records are vague as to how far the railway went, but it is believed it ended somewhere near the first quarry, where there is an unusual steel gantry. This is Yatala Guard Tower 1, from where guards supervised prisoners working in the quarry. There are a number of historical sites nearby and Yatala Prison sits atop the hill to the southeast.

CONNECTING PATHS

Dry Creek Trail (21.4 km): This follows Dry Creek from the Tapa Martinthi Trail in the west to Wynn Vale Dam in the east. Mostly gentle grades make it an easy ride for most abilities.

Levels–City Bikeway (18 km): Extends from Mawson Lakes to the CBD, but the outer section from Mawson Lakes to Pooraka uses busy roads and is not recommended. The Pooraka to city section is sealed and uses a combination of quiet back streets and sealed shared-user paths.