Natasha Kennedy-Read, who grew up in Stawell and was a student at Stawell Secondary College, travelled to Alice Springs in June with two friends from university, where they completed the iconic Larapinta Trail, through the West MacDonnell Ranges.

Ms Kennedy-Read moved from Stawell when she finished high school to study at the University of Melbourne, but in 2020 she returned to town to spend time with her family.

Combined with the challenges of COVID-19, Ms Kennedy-Read and two of her university friends decided trekking the Larapinta Trail in winter 2021 would be the perfect way to test themselves.

"It is something that I have been thinking about doing for a couple of years, and I had a friend do the trek back in our second year of university," she said.

"But I started seriously considering it during lockdown last year.

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"It was a hard year for everyone, and I was facing a few significant personal challenges as well so thought there is nothing more grounding than hiking and the outdoors.

"It makes your problems feel smaller by reminding you that you are just one part of an ecosystem in a world bigger than your own."

The trio, including Ms Kennedy-Read, landed in Alice Springs on June 17 before being driven out to Redbank Gorge, where their 223 kilometre journey began.

To complete the trip the group had to carry their own backpacks weighing 15-20kgs including all equipment, food, and water across a mix of terrains, including ridgelines, rocky descents and ascents.

Ms Kennedy-Read said the trip also involved overcoming a series of challenges including knee injuries, freezing overnight temperatures and broken equipment.

But Ms Kennedy-Read said each day was filled with incredible scenery, including special moments at Brinkley Bluff and Serpentine Gorge.

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"Watching the sunset while we were climbing up to Brinkly Bluff and watching the full moon come up, that was really awesome," she said.

"We were still hiking when it was dark, but we had a full moon for light.

"I also really liked a sidetrail that provided a lookout over Serpentine Gorge which was very beautiful.

"It was a really misty day and it is up high enough that you're in a cloud and so you have the cloud cover over all of these red rocks and then the water below it in the valley. I thought that was amazing."

Ms Kennedy-Read said she enjoyed hiking in Grampians growing up, which helped her on the Larapinta Trail.

She said she was looking forward to completing more treks in the future, including the Grampians Peaks Trail, once it was finished and she had recovered.

"Going back to the why I did it - wanting to be grounded and mentally and physically challenged - I am sure I will never stop seeking that and so I will definitely be pursuing new challenges," she said.

"I am excited for the complete Grampians Peaks Trail to open because it is something that will combine many of the walks I have done in my own backyard.

"Walking from the north of the Grampians to the southern end will be almost nostalgic for me - traversing many peaks I grew up hiking. A completely different experience to Larapinta but no doubt just as fulfilling.

"I had the best time (on the Larapinta Trail) and I would definitely do it again in a heartbeat.

"It's not just your world, you're part of the bigger picture."

The Larapinta Trail runs over the spine of the West MacDonnell Ranges and is divided into 12 sections that each take one or two days to walk.

The trail has many highlights including Simpsons Gap, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen and Mount Sonder.

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