Perth has more sunny days than any other capital city in the world. With our stunning coastlines, the Swan River, and the fresh air of the Perth Hills — not to mention amazing weather — some might say the best way to experience Perth would be to do so by foot. So why not make the most of it and get out and explore Perth and its surrounds by throwing on your runners or walking shoes and taking on some of Perth’s best hiking trails?
But where are the best trails? How long will the hike be? How hard will it be? To help, we’ve put together a list of the best Perth walking trails for you to explore.
Here are the best Perth hikes, in no particular order:
Bells Rapids Walk Trail
Bells Rapid Walk Trail is a scenic walk along the Swan River and home to the renowned Avon Descent. The trail is well known mostly for its majestic boulders and speeding waters in the winter.
Bells Rapids is additionally the habitat of the grey kangaroo, which may be seen in abundance at certain times of the year. If you enjoy or want to experience rural scenic views and coastal plains, this distinctive circuit is the trail for you.
- Distance: River Walk 2.5km or Goat Walk 3km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: Swan Valley
Matilda Bay Reserve Walk
The UWA Boat Shed is not only a Perth icon but also a great starting point for the Matilda Bay Reserve Walk. This trail runs down to Pelican Point, west to J.H. Abrams Reserve to the boat ramp, then leads back north along the road past Australia II Drive and along Hackett Drive.
- Distance: 4km (loop)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: Crawley
Burswood Loop Trail
The Burswood Loop trail takes you around the banks of the beautiful Swan River, allowing you to take in the sights of East Perth and, more specifically, Claisebrook Cove — we definitely recommend stopping in for a refreshment at Toast or The Royal. However, the highlight of this trail, without a doubt, is Heirisson Island.
While on this route, stop off on Herisson Island under the Causeway and if you’re lucky, you might be able to spot a few western grey kangaroos, which can be found in the southern enclosure of the island and are best sighted in the early morning or evening.
- Distance: 6.2km (loop)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: Burswood
Law Walk
Hands down (feet down?) one of the best hikes in Perth.
Law Walk takes you through the bushland and the Lotterywest Federation Walkway in the heart of the Botanic Garden in Kings Park. Enjoy the amazing gardens and views of Kings Park, and then transition to the natural bushland, which provides a glimpse of what Perth was like more than 200 years ago.
- Distance: 2.5km (loop)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: Burswood
Scarborough-Trigg Heritage Trail
Distance: 7.3km (loop)
The Scarborough-Trigg Heritage Walk provides a unique Perth walking trail experience combining the stunning coastline of Scarborough and Trigg beaches with the bush trails of the Trigg Bushland Reserve.
The walk consists of three loops:
Scarborough Coastal Loop — Red (1.2 km)
Explore the unique history of the Scarborough beachfront, the hub of the Sunset Coast. At a leisurely pace, this loop takes approximately 30 minutes.
Trigg Coastal Loop — Blue (2.9 km)
From fishermen to settlers, surfers, and swimmers, take a walk back in time to Trigg Island. At a leisurely pace, this loop takes approximately one hour.
Trigg Bushland Reserve Loop – Green (3.2 km)
Discover unique wildflowers and enjoy spectacular coastal views, as well as sightings of birds and reptiles. At a leisurely pace, this loop takes approximately one hour.
Ellis Brook Valley
Arguably, the best view in Perth can be found at Ellis Brook Valley.
A walk along the ‘Sixty Foot Falls Circuit’ — a short 2km loop, but the steep trail will see you climb to the top of the spectacular Sixty Foot Falls, where you will take in sweeping views across Perth, before descending past the Old Barrington Quarry.
- Distance: 2km (loop)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: Ellis Brook Valley
Bibbulmun Track
If you’re an avid hiker, then the Bibbulmun Track is for you. It spans 1,000km from Kalamunda to Albany, but if you wish to start smaller, then there is the Mundaring Weir Hotel to the Golden View lookout trail (7.4km).
The trail takes walkers through a mix of jarrah, marri, and wandoo forests; the latter provides open woodlands, giving walkers an immense sense of space and a taste of bush life.
- Distance: 1,000km
- Difficulty: Hard
- Location: Kalamunda
Bold Park
This is a choose-your-own-adventure style Perth hike.
With over 15km of walking trails and 10 different lookouts offering expansive city and coastal views, Bold Park provides a memorable experience at any time of the year.
Spanning 436 hectares, Bold Park is home to over 300 different species of native plants. Despite its proximity to the city, the park also boasts an abundance of wildlife, including various bird, reptile, mammal, amphibian, and invertebrate species.
If you’re looking for an inner-city bush walk with beautiful views, there is simply none better than Bold Park.
- Distance: 15km (varying)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: City Beach
Lake Monger
Lake Monger is a conservation wetland ringed by a shared path for cycling, walking, and jogging. Lake Monger is also one of the most family-friendly walking tracks, both for the kids and fur babies. There’s a brand new playground area that will help burn off any extra energy the kids have left, plus there are open spaces for the pups to run and chase a ball.
Lake Monger is also stunning at sunrise and sunset.
- Distance: 4km (loop)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: Wembley
Warnbro Sound, Warnbro
With its attractive native gardens, beautiful white sand, and stunning blue water, Warnbro Beach provides the perfect backdrop for a hike as you walk through the dunes. There are several car parks along the coastal trail where you can begin and end your trip if you don’t want to take on the entire 6.4km.
- Distance: 6.4km (one way)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: Warnbro
Herdsman Lake
Herdsman Lake is Perth’s largest inner-city wetland and is definitely one of the ‘must-do’ Perth walking trails.
With the walking trail on the water’s edge, Herdsman Lake makes for an enjoyable and relaxing walk. The trail offers a diverse range of landscapes, from expansive views over open waters to dense wetland rushes, bushland, and open grassy parklands.
- Distance: 7.7km (loop)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: Churchlands
Rottnest Island
Our Perth hikes list isn’t just limited to the mainland.
No doubt, you’re used to getting around Rottnest Island on a bike — but did you know there is a dedicated walking trail you can explore?
The Rottnest walking trail network is divided into five sections, each offering a unique opportunity to explore the island in a new way. We partnered up with the Island’s only walking tour operator, The Hike Collective, to bring you the lowdown on the most interesting hiking trail network to hit Western Australia and what you need to know to explore the island on foot.
Rottnest walking trail:
- Bickley Batter (Ngank Yira Bidi) — 9.4km (one way)
- Salt Lakes (Gabbi Karniny Bidi) — 9.7km (loop)
- Salmon Bay (Wardan Nara Bidi) — 10km
- Northern Beaches (Karlinya Bidi) — 5.9km
- West End (Ngank Wen Bidi) — 7.6km (loop)
Piesse Brook Interpretive Trail
Time to head for the hills, as we escape the city limits and adventure into the rugged landscape of the Darling Escarpment. The Piesse Brook interpretive trail is the perfect introduction to hiking in the hills, featuring some undulations along the way and culminating in a stunning destination, with a halfway stop at the iconic Rocky Pools.
This is best enjoyed in winter and spring, when the water is flowing in the pools.
Pack a picnic to enjoy at this hotspot, and take your time to read the educational plaques dotted along the trail.
- Distance: 3.5km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: Kalamunda
Blackwall Reach
The beautiful cliff’s edge walk takes you from the Bicton Baths along the Jenna Biddi Yorga — which means “women’s feet walking on the path” in Whadjuk Noongar — to Point Walter Reserve. With fantastic river views and hints of native bushland, it’s the perfect spot to get started with a beginner walk close to the city. Stop at the halfway point to visit the local cafe or sit by the river for a moment to relax before heading back.
In Aboriginal culture, Blackwall Reach and Point Walter were traditionally places for women and children. We ask that walkers respect the land and its history when visiting these areas.
- Distance: 4km (loop)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: Point Wallter
Serpentine Falls
The Serpentine Falls is a popular summer spot for picnicking and swimming, although arguably, the falls in winter take the cake.
You’ll be sure to find a trail to enjoy on your visit to the Serpentine Falls, with a 6km Baldwins Bluff adventure, named after the original homeowners of the house at the base of the bluff.
- Distance: 6km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: Point Wallter
Whistlepipe Gully
A visit to this prominent piece of heaven on earth is a rite of passage for any Perthie and is a must-see on our best Perth walking trails, featuring magical city views, old house ruins, and beautiful springtime wildflowers at Whistlepipe Gully.
Channel your inner child and get adventurous on the many rocky outcrops and bridge crossings, as you enjoy this spectacular trail of granite outcrops and city views.
- Distance: 3.5km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Location: Mundy Regional Park
Mundaring Weir Walk
Tucked away near the Mundaring Weir at the Perth Hills Discovery Centre is the perfect beginner-friendly Weir Walk loop.
It will take you to a beautiful little lookout over the Mundaring Weir, and with clear markers to guide you, it offers a taste of walking on bush tracks, such as the Bibbulmun Track. In fact, it crosses onto the Bibbulmun Track for about half of the walk.
You can extend this trail by heading onto one of the many other trails in the Mundaring Weir area for a bit more of a challenge.
- Distance: 1.2km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: Perth Hills Discovery Centre
Wetlands Walk Trail
Take a trip to Yanchep National Park for the day, and enjoy a super easy wetlands walk around Loch McNess. With so many adventures on offer at Yanchep, you’re sure to find plenty of things to fill in the day, such as a visit to the adorable koala boardwalk, the treetop adventures, or a tour of the iconic caves once you are finished.
Distance: 2km
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Yanchep National Park
Eagle View
With a name like Eagle View, you would expect to see beautiful views, wildlife, and maybe some eagles.
Well, you won’t be disappointed with this Perth hike — the magnificent Eagle View Trail in John Forrest National Park is a 15km bushwalkers’ delight that showcases magnificent views, a variety of terrain and walking conditions, and boasts spectacular wildflowers in the spring.
Distance: 15km
Difficulty: Hard
Location: John Forrest National Park
Numbat Trail
Located in the magnificent Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary in Gidgegannup, the Numbat Trail is a 12km trail that provides a wonderful challenge for experienced walkers, rewarding them with a wide variety of natural beauty, from creek lines to wildflower displays.
Although not the longest trail on this list, the Numbat Trail will take an average of four to five hours to complete, due to its challenging inclines and staircases.
The sanctuary itself is characterised by extremely steep slopes, numerous streams and creek lines, and areas of exposed granite. Although Paruna is open to the public, it is by appointment only and is only accessible from May to October each year.
Distance: 12km
Difficulty: Hard
Location: Gidgegannup
Rocky Pool
This 5km short but feisty loop is located at the end of Spring Street, just out of Kalamunda, and will challenge your downhill abilities on tricky gravel terrain.
Get ready for downhill slopes sure to test even the most steady of hikers. In the winter months, this is a highlight for locals and visitors, but it quickly dries up in summer.
Distance: 5km
Difficulty: Hard
Location: Kalamunda
Mt Cooke
This intense day hike takes you to the top of Mt Cooke and back, to one of the highest points on the Darling Scarp at 582 metres.
Starting at Sullivan Rock, this beautiful section of the Bibbulmun Track journeys along rocky outcrops and winding trails, where every step may leave you gasping for air. As you reach the summit. You’ll be amazed by the space and serenity of Mt Cooke.
The exploring doesn’t stop there, and if you’re lucky enough to know where to go, you might stumble upon the elusive Mt Cooke Cave. This is not part of the Bibbulmun Track, and can’t be easily found, so we recommend joining the experts to get the whole experience.
- Distance: 22km
- Difficulty: Hard
- Location: Jarrahdale
King Jarrah Loop
If you have a bit of time on your hands, then head out to Dwellingup for a full day of adventure bliss on the King Jarrah Loop Trail.
At 18km, it’s worth every step as you find yourself exploring steeply forested valley slopes and rock-rimmed pools of the Murray River on your way to visit the magnificent 250-year-old Kings Jarrah Tree.
This hike weaves through narrow forest passageways and also follows the former transportation routes of the once-vibrant timber industry.
With all trail adventures, we always recommend letting someone know your location at all times and ensuring you have enough water. These more intense trails require a little more preparation to ensure you get the most out of your day in nature.
- Distance: 18km
- Difficulty: Hard
- Location: Dwellingup
Lesmurdie Falls
One of the best Perth hikes is, of course, Lesmurdie Falls in Mundy Regional Park, which is a must for any Perth hiker.
This walking trail will reward your strenuous efforts with sublime views of the Swan Coastal Plain, Perth’s skyline, and neighbouring suburbs, plus, of course, a gram-worthy waterfall.
There are several trails within the park to suit varying degrees of fitness and difficulty levels; however, the walks generally take between one and three hours.
- Distance: 1.5km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Location: Mundy Regional Park
Noble Falls
A small but precious waterfall, Noble Falls is one of the first to fill and flow with a drop of rain, so if you want an easy-access waterfall, this child-friendly spot ticks the box.
Meander next to Wooroloo Brook on a 2km loop and enjoy this peaceful and beginner-friendly waterfall wander.
Another bonus? The trail is dog-friendly.
- Distance: 2km (loop)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: Gidgegannup
Hovea Falls and National Park Falls
Only 20 minutes south of Noble Falls, we hit John Forrest National Park, which offers the most diverse range of trails.
You can access the park from the east, west, and through the main entrance to the National Park. We recommend heading to the main hub to find the start point of multiple trails.
John Forrest National Park holds a rich history and is WA’s first National Park. It is home to two waterfalls on the Jane Brook, as well as the Glenbrook Dam and the iconic Swan View Tunnel, to add to your adventures.
Hovea Falls traverses over smooth granite rock and flows downstream to the steeper National Park Falls. You can walk from one to the other with just a 2km distance between them, and it’s a beautiful wander along the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail.
- Distance: 2km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: John Forrest National Park
