Imagine breathing in clean, fresh air, listening to birds and hearing the soft rustle of wind through the trees, feeling the sun on your face – they are experiences we have been yearning for during the past, particularly difficult, 18 months.

In the Clare and Gilbert Valleys there are plenty of opportunities for ecotherapy, where you can spend time in our natural environment, enjoy the rush of endorphins and feel your stress melt away, especially when you take a walk with us.

There are so many benefits from walking, but unlike a lot of things which are good for you, taking a walk in the Clare and Gilbert Valleys is also a pleasure.

Take a walk and take in the views. Walk past vineyards, overlook hills and valleys and steep yourself in the heritage and history of our region. Beautiful and interesting in any season with an advantage that our abundance of vines show us off in vibrant green during the driest of seasons.

Walkers of all abilities can enjoy our scenery with strolls along the iconic and world-renowned Riesling Trail, Rattler Trail and their connections to the Heysen, Lavender Federation and Mawson trails – make walking a holiday destination.

The Clare Valley Short Walks is a suite of six new short walks for you to experience the delights of the region. They have been mapped out, taking from one to four hours to enjoy, which also include parts of our well known trail networks. They are perfect for simple strolls or for more serious walkers and suitable for the whole family.

And many of the short walks have opportunities to enjoy our regional fare along the way.

The Clare to Sevenhill Short Walk is one of the more popular walks, meandering along seven kilometres of beautiful countryside and across historic railway bridges. It winds past wineries, cellar doors and bakeries with a link to the village of Sevenhill and the nearby Richardson Park Playspace where adults can take a break and relax, while the kids enjoy the play equipment. This Short Walk takes about three hours and is suitable for recreational walkers, mountain and touring bikes, wheelchairs and pushers.

A shorter walk is the Cascades Short Walk – a modest 1.3 kilometre return walk within the popular Spring Gully Conservation Park. Featuring a stunning lookout across the Gulf St Vincent, a seasonal cascade and several great picnic spots to enjoy the serene environment.

Another one kilometre walk is at Neagles Rock reserve – but don’t be fooled with this one as it is an interesting climb to the top where you can take in the Clare Valley from 455m above sea level.

Other walks in the Short Walks series include Watervale to Mt Horrocks (three hours return), Mintaro to Martindale Hall (2.5 hours return) and Riverton to Rhynie (four hours return).

What all the walks have in common are their ability to renew our energy and sense of wellbeing. The Japanese call this shinrin-yoku - the art of ‘forest bathing’ or taking in the atmosphere of the forest and trees.

Taking our cue from nature to revive us isn’t new and we invite you to experience the Clare and Gilbert Valleys in all its aspects – from its heritage, its food and its walking trails – any time of the year.

Explore our short walks – maps and information here: www.clarevalley.com.au/explore/short-walks/