Norton Summit Road
7 km
distance
12 min
Contour time
7.8
avg score
Sealed
surface
Scenery
South Australia
Norton Summit is one of the oldest European settlements in the Adelaide Hills, established by German immigrants in the...
Road quality
7.8 RQS
Strong. Above average on most quality signals.
Accessibility
Fully sealed
Best in Sports car. Peak season: Year-round.
7-day forecast
Best suited to sports cars and motorbikes comfortable in narrow conditions. The stone walls leave no margin - precision is essential.
Scored 7.8/10 by Contour's road quality algorithm across curviness, surface, elevation and traffic. Best suited for sports car drivers.
The road
Norton Summit Road is the technical gem of the Adelaide Hills collection. The 7-kilometre climb from the Magill Road junction winds through old stone-wall-lined farm boundaries, the road barely wider than a single vehicle in places with irregular stone mortaring forming the boundaries on both sides. The character is entirely different from the wider mountain roads of the Victorian or Tasmanian stages. The road is Adelaide's most famous cycling climb (the Tour Down Under uses it) and an equally rewarding driving road. The surface quality has been improved significantly for modern traffic but the width has not changed. It is one of the few stages in Australian tarmac rallying where you can reach out and touch the boundary wall from the driver's seat. The Adelaide Rally has used Norton Summit as a competitive stage. The hamlet at the top has the Scenic Hotel and not much else - which is part of the appeal.
Norton Summit Road is the technical gem of the Adelaide Hills collection.
Why this road
The region
Norton Summit is one of the oldest European settlements in the Adelaide Hills, established by German immigrants in the 1840s. The stone walls that line the roads throughout the hills date from this settlement period and are protected heritage features.
History
The stone walls throughout the Adelaide Hills were built by German Lutheran immigrants who settled the region from the 1840s. Many of the original settlers' descendants remain in the hills.
Before you go
The road is narrow enough that oncoming traffic requires one vehicle to reverse to a passing bay. Best driven on quiet mornings. Start from the Magill Road junction in the eastern suburbs.
See a routing error?
Flag itWorth stopping for
Hahndorf
The oldest surviving German settlement in Australia, 15 minutes from Norton Summit, with good food and the Hahndorf Inn.
Cleland Conservation Park
Wildlife viewing accessible from the adjacent Mount Lofty stage approach.
Route
Start
Magill Road Junction
End
Norton Summit
Gallery
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