Hike through Standley Chasm - Angkerle Atwatye

This spectacular chasm is a "must see" if you're staying in the Alice Springs region.  Standley Chasm (Angkerle Atwatye) is a private reserve, located within the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park, 50km's from Alice Springs. 

Standley Chasm is best known for the phenomenon of the midday sun lighting up the sheer quartzite walls of the chasm, however, the area is spectacular at any time of day. 

There is a small fee to access the area, with all proceeds going back to the local community to maintain the site.  Once you enter, there's a very well maintained pathway that follows the creek towards the chasm.  It's a short walk of approx. 1km to the chasm, but take your time along the way, and read the interpretive signage, and stop and enjoy the native flora and fauna and lush creekside views as you make your way to the chasm.

Once you reach the chasm, you'll walk down into the rocky creek bed, and between the towering walls of the chasm.  Optimum time to visit is an hour either side of midday when the sun lights up the quartzite walls of the chasm, but that will also bring the crowds.  If you're there late in the day, you might find that you have the chasm almost to yourself, so wander through and enjoy the serenity as you appreciate the magnificence of this site, which is very culturally significant to the Western Arrernte women.  

For those with more time, or wanting to explore a little further, a short walk on the Larapinta Trail, which runs through the reserve leads to some alternative, and no less spectacular views.  Accessible directly from the main trail leading to the chasm, this section of the Larapinta Trail climbs up through a gully to viewpoints with panoramic vista of the MacDonnell Ranges, and views down into the Chasm itself - adding another 3km's to your hike.