25 Best Walks and Hikes in Sydney

Last updated: July 20, 2023

A guide to the 25 best walks and hikes in Sydney, ranging from scenic coastal trails to adventurous bushwalking tracks.

Hiking in Sydney is the best way to fully enjoy and appreciate the sheer beauty of this great city. You can walk the beaches, the mountains, the bush, and of course the magnificent Sydney Harbour.

With Sydney’s near-perfect climate, you can go outside and conquer a scenic walking trail any time of year. And with so many different hikes to choose from, there will always be a new walking track to discover.

Read on, as we reveal the 25 best hikes in Sydney.

Top 25 Sydney Walks:

	Hike	Distance
1	America Bay Track	2 km (return)
2	Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk	2.2 km (circuit)
3	Blue Gum Walk	4 km (circuit)
4	Lake Parramatta Walk	4.2 km (circuit)
5	Cape Baily Track	6 km (return)
6	Giant Stairway to Furber Steps Loop	6 km (circuit)
7	Resolute Beach Circuit Walk	6 km (circuit)
8	Grand Canyon Hike	6 km (circuit)
9	Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach Walk	6.5 km (one way)
10	Prince Henry Cliff Walk	7 km (one way)
11	Malabar Headland Circuit Walk	7 km (circuit)
12	Manly Dam Circuit Walk	7.3 km (circuit)
13	Fortress Ridge Trail	7.5 km (return)
14	La Perouse Circuit Walk	7.5 km (circuit)
15	Wattamolla to Eagle Rock Track	8 km (return)
16	Rose Bay to Watsons Bay Walk	8 km (one way)
17	Narrabeen Lagoon Trail	8.4 km (circuit)
18	Manly North Head Circuit Hike	9.5 km (circuit)
19	Spit Bridge to Manly Walk	10 km (one way)
20	Curra Moors Loop Track	10 km (circuit)
21	Lane Cove Riverside Circuit Hike	10 km (circuit)
22	Sphinx Memorial to Bobbin Head Loop	10 km (circuit)
23	Watsons Bay to Coogee Walk	13 km (one way)
24	Cowan to Brooklyn via Jerusalem Bay	13 km (one way)
25	Coast Track from Bundeena to Otford	26 km (one way)

Pick your favourite from the below list of 25 walks and hikes in Sydney, from exciting and adventurous bushwalks to short and scenic coastal trails.

They are ordered based on distance, starting with the shortest one.

1. America Bay Track

The short but very exciting America Bay Track in the West Head and Basin precincts of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is the perfect hike for the whole family.

It has all the characteristics of a classic Sydney bushwalk, with beautiful scenery to enjoy from start to finish.

The highlight of this easy 2 km track is the lookout at the very end, which offers impressive views of America Bay.

But there is much more to enjoy before reaching this lookout, such as Aboriginal engravings, a couple of small waterfalls, a few creek crossings, and beautiful natural scenery.

More information: America Bay Track.

Summary:
Distance:	2 km (return)
Duration:	1 hour
Grade:	Easy

2. Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk

The hike up to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse is a popular walking trail in Barrenjoey Headland, the northernmost part of Palm Beach in Sydney’s Northern Beaches region.

There are actually two walking tracks to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse up the hill, from where you can enjoy stunning ocean views. It’s best to follow one trail to the top and use the other trail to head back down to the beach.

The views from the Barrenjoey Lighthouse are superb and stretch as far as Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park to the west, Broken Bay to the north, and Sydney’s coastline to the east.

More information: Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk.

Summary:
Distance:	2.2 km (circuit)
Duration:	1.5 hours
Grade:	Easy / moderate

3. Blue Gum Walk

The 4 km Blue Gum Walk in the Hornsby area of Sydney explores various landscapes, from high gum trees and green ferns to creek crossings and valley views.

It is a moderately challenging and family-friendly walking track with various highlights and landmarks, such as the gum forest, the fishponds, and the forest of ferns.

Especially the forest of ferns is a section with beautiful scenery, as the walking track meanders through a thriving forest of lush green ferns.

More information: Blue Gum Walk.

Summary:
Distance:	4 km (circuit)
Duration:	1.5 hours
Grade:	Moderate

4. Lake Parramatta Walk

The Lake Parramatta Reserve is home to a few walking trails, but the best one is the circuit walk around Lake Parramatta, a water reservoir formed by a decommissioned dam.

Lake Parramatta was created as a result of the damming of Hunts Creek in 1856. The lake is now a recreational area with various marked bush walking trails, a picnic area, a cafe, and a swimming enclosure.

The Lake Parramatta Walk includes everything one would expect from a bushwalk, with fantastic scenery and great views to enjoy from start to finish.

More information: Lake Parramatta Walk.

Summary:
Distance:	4.2 km (circuit)
Duration:	2 hours
Grade:	Easy / moderate

5. Cape Baily Track

The Cape Baily Track is perhaps one of Sydney’s best-kept secrets. It’s a scenic coastal hike in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, starting at the Cape Solander Lookout and leading to the Cape Baily Lighthouse.

This enjoyable track is a 6 km return coastal adventure with all the right ingredients. The Cape Baily Track is a magnificent coastal walk, with panoramic ocean views, high sandstone sea cliff walls, and a classic lighthouse.

What’s great about this hike is that it doesn’t attract the big crowds that other popular hikes do, such as the Bondi to Coogee walk, even though the scenery is just as impressive.

The track is 6 km long, but you can extend this fantastic walk further around the Kurnell peninsula and even to Cronulla Beach.

More information: Cape Baily Track.

Summary:
Distance:	6 km (return)
Duration:	3 hours
Grade:	Easy

6. Giant Stairway to Furber Steps Loop

The Giant Stairway to Furber Steps Loop in the Katoomba area of the Blue Mountains is a highly enjoyable and energetic walking track that includes two iconic staircases.

This moderately challenging hike offers panoramic Jamison Valley views, beautiful forests, unique rock formations, and various spots to sit down and rest.

The historic Giant Stairway is located at the Three Sisters, and the Furber Steps is on the other side of the walk, close to Scenic World. Climbing and descending these staircases is challenging but a great experience.

More information: Giant Stairway to Furber Steps Loop.

Summary:
Distance:	6 km (circuit)
Duration:	3 hours
Grade:	Moderate

7. Resolute Beach Circuit Walk

Resolute Beach in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is one of those secluded beaches in Sydney that you should visit at least once in your life.

With amazing views of Pittwater and the Barrenjoey Headland, beautiful emerald green water, and virtually no tourists around, this is a true hidden gem.

The 6km Resolute circuit hike is an exciting bushwalk that brings visitors to Resolute Beach via the Resolute Picnic Ground.

The trail also includes the West Head Lookout, which offers breathtaking views of Pittwater, Broken Bay, Barrenjoey Headland, Palm Beach, and the Central Coast.

More information: Resolute Beach Circuit Walk.

Summary:
Distance:	6 km (circuit)
Duration:	3 hours
Grade:	Moderate

8. Grand Canyon Hike

Regarded as one of the most impressive walking tracks in the Blue Mountains, the Grand Canyon Walk will leave a long-lasting impression, as you hike through lush rainforest with several creek crossings and small waterfalls.

Opened at the beginning of the 20th century, the 6 km long Grand Canyon walking track was the first of its kind and has since been challenged by thousands of hiking enthusiasts each year.

While the track has some very steep sections, the Grand Canyon hike can be completed by anyone with a reasonable fitness level, as long as you bring sufficient water and perhaps a few snacks.

What’s great is that the cooler temperatures in the valley make this trail a pleasant adventure during the warmer summer months too.

More information: Grand Canyon Hike.

Summary:
Distance:	6 km (circuit)
Duration:	3 hours
Grade:	Moderate / hard

9. Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach Walk

One of the most enjoyable Sydney Harbour walking tracks is the trail from Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach. This 6.5km track meanders through a stunning landscape with secluded beaches, picturesque bays, impressive lookouts, and historical sites.

An interesting highlight is Bradleys Head, home to the foremast of HMAS Sydney, a light cruiser that was broken up on Cockatoo Island in 1929.

The foremast was erected at Bradleys Head in 1934 and now serves as a monument for all Australian ships lost and all Australian sailors killed at war.

The best way to get to Taronga Zoo is by ferry from Circular Quay. The ferry trip crossing Sydney Harbour is a great experience, and during weekends you can take advantage of the $8.05 cap on all public transport travel.

More information: Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach Walk.

Summary:
Distance:	6.5 km (one way)
Duration:	2.5 hours
Grade:	Easy / moderate

10. Prince Henry Cliff Walk

The Prince Henry Cliff Walk is an adventurous 7km walking trail between Scenic World in Katoomba and Gordon Falls Lookout in Leura.

It follows the cliff edge overlooking Jamison Valley with lots of beautiful lookout points along the way where you can enjoy some of the best views in the Blue Mountains.

Named in honour of the third son of King George V and Queen Mary, the Prince Henry Cliff Walk was completed in 1936 after several years of construction.

Some of the highlights of this walking track include Katoomba Falls, Katoomba Cascades, the Three Sisters, Leura Cascades, and the Elysian Rock lookout point.

More information: Prince Henry Cliff Walk.

Summary:
Distance:	7 km (one way)
Duration:	3.5 hours
Grade:	Moderate

11. Malabar Headland Circuit Walk

The 7 km circuit trail around the Malabar Headland National Park is one of Sydney’s newest hikes and has quickly turned into one of the most popular walks in Sydney.

What is particularly great about this walk is that it is both a bush walk and a coastal walk, with fantastic panoramic views to enjoy from start to finish.

The circuit trail consists of the Boora Point walking track that follows the beautiful coastline of the headland, and the Western Escarpment walking track that meanders through scenic bushland.

It’s certainly not a challenging hike, with a clear walking path and various boardwalks, but it does take a few hours to complete. And with Maroubra Beach just around the corner, there are plenty of options for a good feed and a refreshing drink after completing this hiking adventure.

More information: Malabar Headland Circuit Walk.

Summary:
Distance:	7 km (circuit)
Duration:	2 hours
Grade:	Easy / moderate

12. Manly Dam Circuit Walk

The scenic hike around Manly Dam is a 7.3 km circuit bush trail offering panoramic views of the dam and the lake created by it.

Surrounded by 377 hectares of bushland, Manly Dam Reserve is now known as the largest freshwater lake in Sydney. The lake was created as a result of the damming of Curl Curl Creek to create a water supply for the local area.

Manly Dam Reserve is now a popular recreational area with many activities in and around the lake, such as swimming, hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, and water skiing.

The hike itself is rather long but not super difficult, although there are some steeper sections to conquer, plus some sections where the surface has lots of loose rocks.

More information: Manly Dam Circuit Walk.

Summary:
Distance:	7.3 km (circuit)
Duration:	3 hours
Grade:	Moderate

13. Fortress Ridge Trail

The Fortress Ridge Trail is a 7.5 km return hiking trail that leads to a panoramic viewing point that offers beautiful views of the Grose Valley and beyond.

The variation in the landscape and scenery makes this hike all the more exciting and enjoyable, with the views at the end of the ridge as the big reward.

Upon your return, you have the option to do a second walk that leads to Fortress Rock, another scenic lookout with scenic valley views but from a much different angle.

More information: Fortress Ridge Trail.

Summary:
Distance:	7.5 km (return)
Duration:	3 hours
Grade:	Moderate

14. La Perouse Circuit Walk

The La Perouse circuit walk is a fantastic mixed coastal and bushwalking track that takes in several highlights, landmarks, and historic sites.

Cape Banks, a rocky headland that can be accessed via a small footbridge, is the main highlight of this walk. The landscape on the headland feels quite raw and is even home to the remnants of a shipwreck.

The circuit walk also takes in several beaches, such as Congwong Beach, Little Congwong Beach, and Cruwee Cove Beach, in addition to various lookout points.

The length of the walk is approximately 7.5 km and, overall, is reasonably flat. However, good hiking shoes are recommended as the track passes through bushland and over rocky cliff areas.

More information: La Perouse Circuit Walk.

Summary:
Distance:	7.5 km (circuit)
Duration:	3 hours
Grade:	Easy / moderate

15. Wattamolla to Eagle Rock Track

A scenic coastal walk starting at Wattamolla Beach in the Royal National Park brings hikers to Eagle Rock, an iconic landmark that strongly resembles an eagle’s beak.

This hike is part of the 26km long Coast Track between Bundeena in the north and Otford in the south of Sydney’s oldest national park.

Eagle Rock is not the only unique sight you can explore at the end of this walking track. Next to Eagle Rock is Curracurrong Falls, one of the few waterfalls in the world that flows directly into the ocean.

When the winds are strong, the water can often be pushed back up, which makes for a pretty spectacular sight!

More information: Wattamolla to Eagle Rock Track.

Summary:
Distance:	8 km (return)
Duration:	3 hours
Grade:	Easy / moderate

16. Rose Bay to Watsons Bay Walk

The trail between Rose Bay and Watsons Bay is one of the most scenic coastal walking tracks in Sydney Harbour National Park.

The walk takes in secluded beaches, beautiful parks, and picturesque bays, with amazing panoramic views of the city and the harbour to enjoy along the way.

The beauty of this walk is that you can park your car at Rose Bay or Watsons Bay and catch a ferry back to where you started. Ferry services frequently run between Watsons Bay and Rose Bay.

Part of the Rose Bay to Watsons Bay walk is the popular Hermitage Foreshore walking track, which runs between Bayview Hill Rd (just north of Rose Bay) and Nielsen Park in Vaucluse.

More information: Rose Bay to Watsons Bay Walk.

Summary:
Distance:	8 km (one way)
Duration:	3 hours
Grade:	Easy / moderate

17. Narrabeen Lagoon Trail

The scenic Narrabeen Lagoon Trail is a stunning 8.4 km circuit track around Narrabeen Lakes on Sydney’s northern beaches.

Completed in February 2015, this track is now a popular weekend escape for walkers, joggers, cyclists, and parents with prams, enjoying the natural beauty and serenity of this idyllic lake surrounded by thriving bushland.

Narrabeen Lakes is also called Narrabeen Lagoon because the lake is essentially a coastal lagoon, separated from the sea on the other side of Ocean Street.

The area around the lagoon has been a popular camping and leisure spot since the beginning of the 19th century, when the tram line was extended to Narrabeen, making transport to the area so much easier.

More information: Narrabeen Lagoon Trail.

Summary:
Distance:	8.4 km (circuit)
Duration:	3 hours
Grade:	Easy / moderate

18. Manly North Head Circuit Hike

The circuit hike around Manly’s North Head is the second part of the Manly Scenic Walkway, with the Spit to Manly Walk being the first section.

It’s one of the most fascinating hikes in Sydney because it offers a good mix of beautiful natural scenery, incredible coastal and Harbour views, secluded beaches, and a bit of history.

One of the highlights is the popular Fairfax Lookout, from where you get to enjoy the best views of Sydney Harbour, the ocean, and the city skyline in the far distance.

What’s great about the North Head Walk is that it starts and ends in beautiful Manly, so there will be plenty of options for great food and a cold drink after completing this hike.

More information: Manly North Head Circuit Hike.

Summary:
Distance:	9.5 km (circuit)
Duration:	3 hours
Grade:	Moderate

19. Spit Bridge to Manly Walk

The hike from the Spit Bridge to Manly Beach is a beautiful 10km coastal trail, past secluded inner harbour beaches, through native bushland and around picturesque bays, offering panoramic Sydney Harbour views.

As mentioned, this hike forms part of the 19.5km Manly Scenic Walkway, one of the most exciting coastal walks in Sydney and New South Wales.

One of the highlights along the Spit to Manly Walk is Clontarf Reserve, a scenic park area with excellent picnic and BBQ facilities and a swim-friendly beach.

For the best views along the track, head to the Crater Cove and Arabanoo lookout points at Dobroyd Head. These lookouts offer incredible views of Sydney Harbour, North Head, and South Head.

More information: Spit Bridge to Manly Walk.

Summary:
Distance:	3 km (one way)
Duration:	4 hours
Grade:	Moderate

20. Curra Moors Loop Track

The Curra Moors Loop Track is a circuit walking trail that offers a welcome mix of bush and coastal walking.

The walk starts from Sir Bertram Stevens Drive and passes through a landscape of heath and low tree vegetation before it connects with the Coast Track close to Eagle Head Rock and Curracurrong Falls.

This walking track is approximately 10 km long and is reasonably challenging, but because it’s mostly flat, anyone with a reasonable fitness level can easily complete the walk.

More information: Curra Moors Loop Track.

Summary:
Distance:	10 km (circuit)
Duration:	3 hours
Grade:	Moderate

21. Lane Cove Riverside Circuit Hike

Located only 20 minutes northwest of the Sydney CBD, Lane Cove National Park is a large pocket of scenic bushland surrounding the banks of the Lane Cove River, which flows into Sydney Harbour.

A picturesque 10km circuit walk along both sides of the river makes for an excellent way to explore the natural beauty of this national park.

Popular with walkers, joggers, and cyclists, Sydney’s metropolitan Lane Cove National Park extends from Pennant Hills in the north to East Ryde in the south.

This central part is home to the Riverside Walking Track and the Lane Cove Valley Walk (part of the Great North Walk) that together form a moderately challenging yet pleasant 10km circuit trail.

More information: Lane Cove Riverside Circuit Hike.

Summary:
Distance:	10 km (circuit)
Duration:	3 hours
Grade:	Moderate

22. Sphinx Memorial to Bobbin Head Loop

The 10 km Sphinx Memorial to Bobbin Head loop via the Warrimoo Track is a fantastic bushwalk in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park through various landscapes.

One half of the loop (Warrimoo Track) follows the shoreline of Cowan Creek, while the other half (Bobbin Head trail) is mostly a fire trail through a thriving forest of gum trees.

The most logical place to start this hike is the Sphinx Memorial in North Turramurra. This Memorial is a unique sandstone monument built in the 1920s to commemorate those who died in service during World War I.

More information: Sphinx Memorial to Bobbin Head Loop.

Summary:
Distance:	10 km (circuit)
Duration:	3 hours
Grade:	Moderate

23. Watsons Bay to Coogee Walk

The 13 km coastal hike between Watsons Bay and Coogee Beach consists of two sections.

The first part is the walk between Watsons Bay and Bondi (also known as the Federation Cliff walking track), and the second part is the popular Bondi to Coogee walk.

These coastal walks are relatively easy, so combining the two makes for a fantastic coastal hike with excellent public transport options at both ends.

This particular hike encapsulates the unique beauty of Sydney’s coastline, with lots of great beaches and beautiful coastal views to enjoy from start to finish.

More information: Watsons Bay to Bondi and Bondi to Coogee.

Summary:
Distance:	13 km (one way)
Duration:	5 hours
Grade:	Moderate

24. Cowan to Brooklyn via Jerusalem Bay

The challenging bushwalk from Cowan train station to Brooklyn via Jerusalem Bay is a true bushwalker’s delight, as the track meanders through beautiful native bushland scenery.

What’s great about this hike is that both Cowan and Brooklyn have a train station on the same line, so you can start this walk at either end and catch the train back to where you started.

One of the highlights along this walk is Jerusalem Bay, not too far away from the Cowan train station. It’s a pretty bay, part of Cowan Creek, that makes for a great swimming and picnic spot.

If this 13 km hike is a bit too challenging, you can just do the return hike to Jerusalem Bay, which is much shorter, but you still get to enjoy a good bushwalk.

More information: Cowan to Jerusalem Bay.

Summary:
Distance:	13 km (one way)
Duration:	5 hours
Grade:	Hard

25. Coast Track from Bundeena to Otford

The incredible Coast Track between Bundeena and Otford in Royal National Park is a true once-in-a-lifetime hiking experience. It is perhaps the most iconic coastal trail in New South Wales, but with a 26 km distance, it does require some preparation.

From scenic lookout points and waterfalls to natural swimming holes and isolated beaches, the Coast Track takes in all of the good things we would expect from an iconic coastal walk.

The Coast Track can be started from Bundeena in the north or Otford in the south of Royal National Park. Because of its distance, the best way to get there is by using public transport.

And while some hikers can certainly complete this walk in one day, it’s a good idea to combine this hike with an overnight stay at the North Era campground.

More information: Coast Track from Bundeena to Otford.

Summary:
Distance:	26 km (one way)
Duration:	1-2 days
Grade:	Hard