This is the absolute best way to explore this area, this longer trail gives you a taste of everything and is actually in my top 10 favorite hikes in Australia. Clocking in at 9 kilometers, this loop trail has a Grade 3 rating, moderate, but definitely doable for most people. Plan for about 3 to 4 hours to soak up all it has to offer.

The journey begins from the car park, following the Larapinta Trail alongside the road. As you trek, the path gradually ascends until you reach a saddle between the ridges at the 3km mark. From there, a detour leads you to a lookout atop the ridge to your left. The views from here are simply breathtaking, offering a 360-degree panorama of Ormiston Pound and the West MacDonnell Ranges. After taking it all in, you'll backtrack to the saddle and continue on the trail, descending into the pound. Adding to the fun of this walk you do need to get a little wet, it was around my waist as I walked through the gorge near the end of the trail.

One thing I particularly enjoyed was the setup: starting off by wandering away from the gorge and waterhole allowing me to gradually warm up while immersing myself in the surrounding terrain. Saving the best part, the gorge and waterhole for last meant I got to finish off the hike nice and toasty, ready for a well-deserved dip. Trust me, it's the perfect way to cap off a memorable adventure.
I also wanted to mention the Ghost Gum Walk which is a sweet and short little walk if you aren't keen on the longer trail. This is a 2.5km loop that starts from the car park, it is a moderate trail that leads you up to the Ghost Gum Lookout, treating you to breathtaking views of the ranges and the gorge below. I saw multiple families and older people doing this walk to the lookout and returning back the same way however, it is a circuit walk. From the lookout, the trail continues along the gorge wall, offering a different perspective of the landscape. Eventually, you'll find yourself descending to the water's edge, where the real fun begins. You then scramble over boulders and wade through the creek bed—yep, you might get a little wet. This loop is a crowd-pleaser, if you are looking to explore the gorge from a different angle.