Discover the best walking tracks in Sydney, from energising bushwalks and scenic coastal trails to quiet Harbour walks with stunning views.
Walking is one of the best ways to experience Sydney at its best. From golden beaches and dramatic headlands to quiet bushland and sweeping Harbour vistas, the city offers an impressive variety of walking tracks.
Sydney’s mild climate means there’s rarely a bad time to head outdoors. Whether it’s a short waterfront stroll or a challenging bushwalk, there’s always another trail worth exploring.
Below, we’ve rounded up our top 15 walks in Sydney, listed by distance, to help you plan your next outing.
1. Georges Head to Middle Head
The Georges Head to Middle Head Walk is a scenic coastal trail that combines Harbour scenery with some of Sydney’s most interesting military relics.
Covering around 3 km, the walk weaves past former gun batteries, tunnels, and lookout points that once played a key role in protecting Sydney Harbour. Along the way, the track alternates between shaded bushland and exposed headlands with open water views.
The walk can be started from either Georges Head near Chowder Bay or from Middle Head, with parking and bus access available at both ends. It also connects with the Taronga Zoo to Chowder Bay Walk if you’re keen to extend the outing.
Read more: Georges Head to Middle Head.
| Georges Head to Middle Head | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 3 km (one way) |
| Duration: | 1.5 hours |
| Grade: | Easy (some steps) |
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Route: | Google Maps |
2. Blue Gum Walk
The Blue Gum Walk in Hornsby takes you through a diverse range of landscapes, including towering gum trees, lush green ferns, creek crossings, and scenic valley views.
This moderately challenging, family-friendly walking track features numerous highlights and landmarks, such as the Gum Forest, the Fishponds, and the Forest of Ferns.
The Forest of Ferns, in particular, offers stunning scenery as the path winds its way through a vibrant canopy of lush, green ferns.
Read more: Blue Gum Walk.
| Blue Gum Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 4 km (circuit) |
| Duration: | 1.5 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate |
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Route: | Google Maps |
3. Lake Parramatta Walk
Lake Parramatta Reserve features several walking trails, with the highlight being the circuit walk around Lake Parramatta, a water reservoir created by a decommissioned dam.
Created by the damming of Hunts Creek in 1856, the lake has become a popular recreational area featuring marked bushwalking trails, a picnic area, a café, and a designated swimming enclosure.
The Lake Parramatta Walk provides all the hallmarks of a classic bushwalk, with captivating scenery and picturesque views to enjoy from start to finish.
Read more: Lake Parramatta Walk.
| Lake Parramatta Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 4.2 km (circuit) |
| Duration: | 1.5 hours |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate |
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | Yes (on a lead) |
| Trailhead: | Google Maps |
4. Bondi to Coogee Walk
The Bondi to Coogee walk is one of Sydney’s most iconic coastal trails, offering stunning beaches, imposing sandstone cliffs, and panoramic views.
Tourists from around the world and local Sydneysiders flock to Sydney’s eastern suburbs daily to experience the walk between Bondi Beach and Coogee Beach, often pairing it with a meal at one of the many nearby cafés.
Read more: Bondi to Coogee Walk.
| Bondi to Coogee Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 6 km (one way) |
| Duration: | 2.5 hours |
| Grade: | Easy (some steps) |
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | Yes (on a lead) |
| Trailhead: | Google Maps |
5. Grand Canyon Walk
Often regarded as one of the most impressive walking tracks in the Blue Mountains, the Grand Canyon Walk is a true bushwalking gem.
Although the track features some steep sections, it is accessible to anyone with a reasonable fitness level, provided you bring plenty of water and perhaps a few snacks.
What’s great is that the cooler temperatures in the canyon make this trail a pleasant adventure even during the warmer summer months.
Read more: Grand Canyon Walk.
| Grand Canyon Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 6 km (circuit) |
| Duration: | 3 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate / hard |
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Trailhead: | Google Maps |
6. Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach
One of Sydney Harbour’s most enjoyable walking tracks is the trail from Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach in the leafy suburb of Mosman.
This 6.5 km route winds through a stunning landscape, featuring secluded beaches, picturesque bays, impressive lookouts, and historical sites.
The best way to reach Taronga Zoo is by ferry from Circular Quay, a scenic journey across Sydney Harbour that serves as a perfect warm-up for the walk.
Read more: Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach.
| Taronga Zoo to Balmoral Beach | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 6.5 km (one way) |
| Duration: | 2.5 hours |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate |
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Trailhead: | Google Maps |
7. Manly Dam Circuit
The hike around Manly Dam Lake is a picturesque 7.3 km circuit, offering panoramic views of the lake and its surrounding bushland.
Manly Dam Reserve is a popular recreational spot, providing a range of activities in and around the lake, including swimming, hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, and even water skiing.
While the hike is relatively long, it isn’t overly challenging, though a few sections can be somewhat steep.
Read more: Manly Dam Circuit.
| Manly Dam Circuit | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 7.3 km (circuit) |
| Duration: | 3 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate |
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | Yes (on a lead) |
| Trailhead: | Google Maps |
8. La Perouse Circuit
The La Perouse Circuit Walk combines coastal and bushland scenery, offering an exciting hike through various highlights, landmarks, and historic sites.
The main highlight is Cape Banks, a rocky headland reached via a small footbridge, offering a rugged landscape and remnants of a historic shipwreck.
The circuit also passes by several beaches, including Congwong Beach, Little Congwong Beach, and Cruwee Cove Beach, along with numerous scenic lookouts.
Read more: La Perouse Circuit.
| La Perouse Circuit | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 7.5 km (circuit) |
| Duration: | 3 hours |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate |
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Trailhead: | Google Maps |
9. Wattamolla to Eagle Rock
Eagle Rock, a distinctive landmark in Royal National Park, bears a striking resemblance to an eagle’s beak. A scenic coastal walk starting at Wattamolla Beach leads you to this unique formation.
Eagle Rock isn’t the only highlight along this track. Nearby, you’ll find Curracurrong Falls, a stunning waterfall that plunges directly into the ocean.
This walking track, offering access to both Eagle Rock and Curracurrong Falls, is among the finest in Sydney and Royal National Park.
Read more: Wattamolla to Eagle Rock.
| Wattamolla to Eagle Rock | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 8 km (return) |
| Duration: | 3 hours |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate |
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Trailhead: | Google Maps |
10. Gibberagong Track
The Gibberagong Track is an exciting bushwalk in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park that walk that starts with the Bobbin Head Mangrove Boardwalk.
After leaving the boardwalk, the walking track heads inland through shaded bushland, following Cockle Creek leading to a stunning waterhole.
The Gibberagong Track is one of the most rewarding walks in Ku-ring-gai Chase, perfect for bushwalkers who enjoy birdwatching and quiet bushland scenery.
Read more: Gibberagong Track.
| Gibberagong Track | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 8 km (return) |
| Duration: | 3 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate |
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Trailhead: | Google Maps |
11. Rose Bay to Watsons Bay
The trail between Rose Bay and Watsons Bay offers a mix of secluded beaches, beautiful parks, and picturesque bays, all with panoramic views of the city and Harbour along the way.
Another appealing aspect of this walk is the option to park at either Rose Bay or Watsons Bay and take a ferry back to your starting point.
Ferry services between the two locations run frequently, making it a convenient and enjoyable round trip.
Read more: Rose Bay to Watsons Bay.
| Rose Bay to Watsons Bay | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 8 km (one way) |
| Duration: | 3 hours |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate |
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Trailhead: | Google Maps |
12. Narrabeen Lagoon Trail
The Narrabeen Lagoon Trail is a picturesque 8.4 km circuit around Narrabeen Lakes, located on Sydney’s northern beaches.
Since its completion in February 2015, the trail has become a popular spot for walkers, joggers, and cyclists, offering a peaceful escape around the serene lake surrounded by lush bushland.
Narrabeen Lakes, often called Narrabeen Lagoon, is essentially a coastal lagoon, separated from the sea by Ocean Street.
Read more: Narrabeen Lagoon Trail.
| Narrabeen Lagoon Trail | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 8.4 km (circuit) |
| Duration: | 2.5 hours |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate |
| Wheel-friendly: | Yes |
| Dog-friendly: | Yes (on a lead) |
| Trailhead: | Google Maps |
13. Manly North Head Circuit
The circuit hike on Manly’s North Head forms the second part of the Manly Scenic Walkway, with the Spit to Manly Walk serving as the first section.
This hike stands out as one of Sydney’s most fascinating trails, thanks to its blend of stunning natural scenery, breathtaking coastal and harbour views, secluded beaches, and a touch of history.
Another great aspect of the North Head Walk is its convenient start and end points in Manly, offering plenty of opportunities to enjoy a great meal or a refreshing drink after your hike.
Read more: Manly North Head Circuit.
| Manly North Head Circuit | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 9.5 km (circuit) |
| Duration: | 4 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate |
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Trailhead: | Google Maps |
14. Spit Bridge to Manly
The hike from Spit Bridge to Manly Beach is one of Sydney’s most popular and well-known walking tracks.
This stunning 10 km coastal trail showcases secluded inner harbour beaches, lush bushland, picturesque bays, and sweeping views of Sydney Harbour.
For the best views along the trail, make sure to stop at the Crater Cove and Arabanoo lookout points at Dobroyd Head, offering breathtaking panoramas of Sydney Harbour, North Head, and South Head.
Read more: Spit Bridge to Manly.
| Spit Bridge to Manly | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 10 km (one way) |
| Duration: | 4 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate |
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | Some sections |
| Trailhead: | Google Maps |
15. Lane Cove Riverside Circuit
Lane Cove National Park is a pocket of thriving bushland that lines the banks of the Lane Cove River, which ultimately flows into Sydney Harbour.
A 10 km circuit walk along both sides of the river offers an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in the park’s natural beauty.
This circuit combines the Riverside Walking Track and the Lane Cove Valley Walk, making for a moderately challenging bushwalking adventure.
Read more: Lane Cove Riverside Circuit.
| Lane Cove Riverside Circuit | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 10 km (circuit) |
| Duration: | 4 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate |
| Wheel-friendly: | No |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
| Trailhead: | Google Maps |
Multi-Day Hikes
Up for a much bigger challenge?
There are quite a few hikes in Sydney and New South Wales that require multiple days to complete. Here are three of the most popular ones:
- Coast Track:
The Coast Track between Bundeena and Otford in Royal National Park is one of the most iconic hikes in Sydney and in New South Wales. While most people do this 26 km track in one day, it is possible to camp overnight at the North Era camping ground and turn this into a 2-day hiking adventure. - Bondi to Manly:
The Bondi to Manly Walk is an 80 km coastal hike featuring a series of connected trails that showcase the very best of Sydney Harbour. Conquering this beautiful coastal adventure can take anywhere between two and six days. - Grand Cliff Top Walk:
The Grand Cliff Top Walk is a brand-new 19-kilometre hike in the Blue Mountains, linking Wentworth Falls, Leura, and Katoomba. Like the Coast Track, the Grand Cliff Top Walk can easily be done in one day, but for the best experience, it may be best to spread it out over two days.
More walking tracks:
So I like walking along the embankment. Sydney is a very beautiful city, I like to come there sometimes on weekends, I live nearby. I really like Narrabeen Lagoon Trail, it is very beautiful and calm there. Nice camping site, I enjoy spending time there with my family. Hope we can come there soon. I haven’t even heard of some of the hikes and places on this list, it’s interesting to visit them too. Thanks!
Thanks so much, glad you like this list. There are so many great walking tracks in Sydney, so it’s hard to pick the best ones, but hopefully the above walks are a good reflection of what Sydney has to offer.