Perth’s Best Secret Hikes

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Words and photos by by Reuben Black.

With Perth’s luscious landscapes, there’s always more than meets the eye. Filled with natural wonders, Perth presents the perfect treasure trove of hidden trails for those keen enough to look. Luckily, the hard work has already been done for you!  All you need to do is get in the car, pop on your hiking boots and spend some time exploring some of Perth’s best-kept secrets.

Berry Reserve Walk Trail

Distance: 2.7km return
Recommended for: All
Location: Gidgegannup, 50 minutes from Perth’s CBD

Located near the small township of Gidgegannup, Berry Falls is a hidden gem perfect for an everyday hike, Insta-worthy picnic or to catch a wonderful sunset/sunrise. The easy 2.7km return track blossoms with hundreds of wildflowers in spring and rewards you with a spectacular, hidden oasis at the end. With plenty of space to sit down and enjoy your surroundings. This is a must visit for all ages. The walking trail may be quite hard to find, but if you follow Reen Road down to the end it will be sign posted on your left.

Mount Dale

Distance: 2.5km loop
Recommended for: Beginners
Location: Flint, 1 hour from Perth’s CBD

Ever wonder what it would feel like to be at a lookout with only trees in sight for a 360-degree view? If so, retreat to this peaceful escape among the trees just an hour’s drive away from Perth. PRE WARNING – you will have to drive about 10km on an unpaved road so 4WDs are recommended, but the task is easily achievable in most cars (I have seen it done in a Fiat 500). Depending on the time of year you might encounter a few potholes here and there.

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You have the choice of driving straight to the top, or stopping about 2km from the summit and going for lovely walk winding along the side of hill. The walk boasts beautiful views of the area and has passing amenities such as a toilet, seating and a small fire pit/barbecue.
The lookout at the top is by far the highlight, and getting there for a sunrise or sunset is a lovely added bonus. Being the second tallest point in the Darling Range, the views are nothing short of breathtaking from up here.

Sullivan Rock and Mount Cooke

Distance: 19km return
Recommended for: Semi-experienced walkers
Location: Mount Cooke, 1 hour from Perth’s CBD

Although the most strenuous of the three, the effort put into conquering this trail is well worth it. This track follows the Bibbulmun Track from Sullivan Rock up to the 582m summit of Mount Cooke. The track is well maintained with sparsely staggered steep sections. Approaching the top of Mount Cooke, you will be able to enjoy stunning views over the surrounding Darling Ranges. If you end up finishing your walk closer to night time, ensure that you stay around at Sullivan Rock to see some of the best stargazing experiences Perth has to offer. If you want to camp out overnight, the Bibbulmun has two  well facilitated free camping spots along the track about 2km and 3km from the summit.