23 Perth walking trails to tackle in 2023

Hiking has skyrocketed into the lead as one of the most popular outdoor activities to do in recent years.

With that in mind, we hit up Kate at The Hike Collective to bring you the 23 walking and hiking trails close to Perth to tick off your list, sorted according to a few different categories.

For the first-timers

First time to hit the trails? We call this ‘wearing in the boots’ and urge you to remember these first few hikes, because you will look back on them one day and be grateful for the short and sweet intro trails on your journey to becoming a hiking-addict ( which will inevitably happen, we promise!)

1. Piesse Brook Interpretive Trail, Kalamunda: A scenic 3km out and back hike in Kalamunda.
2. Boomerang Gorge Dwerta-Mia Trail, Yanchep National Park: The most magnificent 2km view-dense trail with beautiful stories and historic secrets to go along with it.
3. Trigg Bushland, Trigg: A 4km hidden gem with coastal vibes as you get to cool off with an ocean dip to finish!
4. Sectional Heritage Trail, John Forrest National Park: Although a long trail all up, you can take bite-sized chunks of this trail, and we rate a 4km return to the Swan View Tunnel in John Forrest to kick off your hiking love.
5. Araluen botanical Gardens, Roleystone: Not only a place for admiring roses, tulips and sunflowers, also the home to a 4km gem of a trail, but access to half of it is off-limits to the public, so join The Hike Collective on a tour for the full experience.

Adventure-seekers

So, you have found your way along a trail or two, have the fitness of a mountain goat, and are looking for a bit of a challenge? These next four hikes are our go-to in bucket list trails close to Perth if you are up for an extra TLC (meaning Trail Lovers Challenge).

6. Sullivan Rock to Mt. Cooke on The Bibbulmun Track, Mount Cooke: 22km (if you manage to navigate on the adventure to the secret hidden cave!) otherwise a cruisy (jokes!) 20km.
7. Eagle view Trail, John Forrest National Park, Hovea: A 15km undulating loop from the heart of John Forrest National Park.
8. Kalamunda to Mundaring on the Bibbulmun Track: The first 19km one-way section of the 1,000km trail from Kalamunda to Albany.
9. Numbat Trail, Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary, Gidgegannup: At an achievable 12km in length, you wont know what to do with your legs at the end, after stair climbing like never before!

Take Your Doggo

Not keen to leave your pooch bestie behind for fear of serious D(Dog)FOMO? We get it… Try these top hits – and head here for more.

10. Bells Rapids, Brigadoon: A fan favourite, and starting to bloom again after the terrible fires of early 2021, the 5km loop along the Goat trail is worth it! Doggos can cool off in the water to finish!
11. Whistlepipe Gully, Forrestfield: A stunning 3km return trail that the dogs will love as you navigate old house ruins, and stunning city views.
12. Lesmurdie Falls, Kalamunda: With a variety of trail lengths on offer, you can make your own adventure. Explore the bottom of the falls, and head to the viewing platform up to for stunning sunsets.
13. Kwinana Loop Trail + Spectacles Aboriginal Heritage Trail, Kwinana: A 21km circuit around the city, offering some fantastic views, lush natural bushland and bike trails. Down the road in Beeliar is the paperbark-lined Spectacles wetlands, a 6km trail providing plenty of indigenous history as you go.

Views for days

What is the point in climbing a big hill, if the views don’t measure up? These ones are worth the climb, we promise.

14. Bold Park Zamia Trail: Known as the sanctuary by the sea, and with good reason. Enjoy a 5km loop, and check out the boardwalk tucket in the tips of the trees, for coast to city views (also dog-friendly).
15. Mount Cuthbert on the Bibbulmun Track, Mount Cooke: We call this trail the two peaks of Perth, and it should really be the three peaks because it will be a peak in your day, week, month and year to witness the majestic views from atop mount Cuthbert! 10km out and back, worth every step.
16. Mundaring Weir to South Ledge, Mundaring: At only 7km return, you will enjoy all the gains from the views out at South ledge. Go at sunrise, for a stunning view over the Mundaring Weir.
17. Quenda Trail, Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary, Gidgegannup: Unlike its longer and tougher brother, this trail gives you all the gains with a little less pain. Expansive views throughout on this 6km, yet still challenging, loop.
18. Sixty Foot Falls, Ellis Brook Valley: A popular (and also dog-friendly) 5km loop includes the blue wren and sixty foot falls loop trails, bringing epic city views from the top of the waterfall (Although very rarely is the water actually falling here).

Coastal delights

These trails make the day trip to Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) a million times better, and give you great practice for any upcoming Cape to Cape goals you might have. (Hello sand walking!)

19. Lakes & Bays, Wadjemup Trail Network, Rottnest Island: A 12km loop with all the lakes and bays you can handle.
20. Wander the West End, Wadjemup Trail Network, Rottnest Island: A leisurely bus or bike ride is required to enjoy the gem of the west end trails, but with only 7km to walk, and endless awe-moments, it is worth adding to your itinerary.

Wildflower wanders

Let’s not forget the instagram-worth springtime trails, with our last but not least, top three for wildflower spotting in 2023.

21. Kings Park Law Walk, Perth: There is something to see all year round in Kings Park and you can make your own journey from 1km to 10km through the world’s largest inner-city park.
22. Wildflower Trail, John Forrest National Park, Hovea: I mean, if the name doesn’t give it away… This trail can be added to other trails, or completed on its own in just over 2km, and is the best place to see donkey orchids and the like in spring, full stop.
23. Mason & Bird, Bickley Valley: A little known treasure, with so much to offer, from city views, incredible history, and stunning wildflowers through spring. A 7km loop worth every step.

Written with the help of Kate Gibson: Kate runs a hiking tour company called The Hike Collective, which provides guests with a safe place to find movement, connection and nature, while enjoying some of the best trails Perth has to offer.