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Best Running Trails in Perth, My Go-Tos to Stay Fit and Active
Feeling your tummy is getting rounder after every visit to Hungry Jacks or Maccas? As someone who knows all too well the dangers of eating too much junk food, trust me, it’s not pretty.
Thankfully, shedding all that excess weight is possible if you’re willing to take on the challenge of running and letting your body burn all those calories.
It’s not an easy endeavour, but it’s worth it! So once you’re good to go, put on your running shoes, and let’s go on a literally heart-pounding journey across these amazing running trails in Perth!
City Bridges Loop
Photo credit: cityofperth
Length: 9.8 kilometres
Estimated time to complete: 1 hour and 59 minutes
Let’s start with something easy, the City Bridges Loop. A scenic 10-kilometre loop encircling the Swan River, this route offers a delightful blend of history, nature, and urban charm.
Since this one’s a loop, you’re free to start at any point along the route. However, I find starting at Sir James Mitchell Park to be the best one, thanks to its stunning view of the Perth skyline.
From there, make your way towards Causeway Bridge, then cross it to reach the northern side of the Swan River. Once you reach Fraser Point, you’ll have the chance to take a quick break in one of the restaurants and cafes there.
Once you’ve gathered your breath, continue onwards to Elizabeth Quay, then finally cross the river once again via Narrows Bridge. Once you’ve reached the end of the bridge, simply run towards Mill Point Road to get back to where you started.
Pro tip: Throughout your run, you’ll have the chance to visit many of Perth’s attractions. If you’re interested, you can also check out places like the Old Mill, Heirisson Island, and the Perth Zoo.
One of your destinations, Elizabeth Quay, notably has the Bell Tower and BHP Water Park.
Bold Park
Photo credit: cruzysuzy
Website: https://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/bold-park
Address: Perry Lakes Dr, City Beach
Contact details: +61 8 9480 3600
Length: 5.1 kilometres
Estimated time to complete: 1 hour and 21 minutes
If you prefer a trail that’s away from the noisy streets of the Perth CBD, you can try visiting Bold Park. Here, you’ll find the Zamia Trail, a captivating 5.1-kilometre loop trail that winds through coastal bushland.
One of the best things about this trail is the breathtaking vistas of the Indian Ocean and the city skyline. As you run across this well-signposted path, you’ll also encounter the majestic Reabold Hill, a natural wonder standing tall at 85 metres.
At first, you might wonder whether running across an unpaved path will be difficult. Thankfully, that won’t be the case. That’s because the trail’s compacted limestone surface makes it an ideal choice for running for long periods of time.
Pro tip: Pause your run once in a while to admire the wonderful scenery in Bold Park!
With a total land area of 442 hectares, it’s one of the biggest bushlands in Perth and is home to over 1000 native and non-native species of flora, fauna, and fungi.
Some noteworthy wildlife you should look out for are black cockatoos, bobtail lizards, and striated pardalotes.
Lake Monger
Photo credit: angus_photography_perth
Website: https://www.westernaustralia.com
Address: Lake Monger Drive, Leederville
Contact details: +61 8 9262 1700
Length: 3.7 kilometres
Estimated time to complete: 45 minutes
For those looking to go for a casual running session, you can’t go wrong with Lake Monger. Located 5 kilometres north of the Perth CBD, this lake has a total size of 110 hectares and is a popular spot for walking, running, or cycling.
Here, you can enjoy a 3.5-kilometre paved loop that encircles this picturesque lake. The trail’s manageable distance makes it one of the best places to visit for your daily morning jog before work or school.
Furthermore, the entire trail is flat and well-maintained, making it safe even for those who are new to running. In case you ever get tired in the middle of a run, this park has plenty of drinking fountains and restrooms where you can catch a quick break.
Pro tip: Please remember that Lake Monger is also a popular cycling spot. To avoid any injuries, make sure to pay close attention to your surroundings while running, especially for bicycle bells.
Kings Park and Botanic Garden
Website: https://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/kings-park
Address: Fraser Ave
Contact details: +61 8 9480 3600
Length: 8.5 kilometres
Estimated time to complete: 1 hour and 50 minutes
Without a doubt, Kings Park and Botanic Garden is one of the best choices for doing your daily run. Running along Fraser Avenue, this 400-hectare park can accommodate both short-distance and long-distance running sessions.
For long-distance running, you’ll have to perform a loop that covers the entirety of the park. This route will let you cover up to 8.5 kilometres as you run across the edges of Kings Park and Botanic Garden.
If you don’t have the time to do this route, you may also instead go for a shorter route that begins and ends at the park’s entrance. This loop includes the following paths: Boomerang Track, Speargrass Path, Goanna Path, and Hackett’s Path.
Pro tip: Check out the many attractions to be found in Kings Park and Botanic Garden!
Aside from its titular garden, this park also boasts Instagram-worthy places like the DNA Tower,
Lotterywest Federation Walkway, State War Memorial, and Mount Eliza Lookout.
If you need a place to rest, the park also has a cafe, which you’ll find near Wadjuk Car Park.
West Coast Drive
Photo embed: kryztynn
Length: 7 kilometres
Estimated time to complete: 1 hour
If you prefer running along Perth’s massive coast, one of the best places to do that is on West Coast Drive. Stretching between Trigg and Hillarys, this 7-kilometre-long trail offers breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean, sandy beaches, and rugged cliffs.
A good thing about this trail is that most parts of it feature wide pedestrian spaces where you can run comfortably without having to worry about cars and buses. This path is also mostly flat, so it’s one of the more beginner-friendly trails available.
If you’re up for the challenge, you can make your run here into a 14-kilometre journey by making a return trip.
And if you ever get tired along the way, the West Coast Drive has plenty of restaurants and cafes that dot alongside it where you can take a break.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to apply sunscreen before running along West Coast Drive! Since it’s a coastal road, there’s barely any shade here that can protect you from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
It’s also recommended that you download the SunSmart Global UV app on either the Play Store or the App Store so you’ll know in advance how intense the sunlight will be for the day.
Claisebrook Cove
Photo credit: westernaustralia
Website: https://perth.wa.gov.au
Address: 60 Royal St, East Perth
Contact details: +61 8 9461 3333
Length: 3.9 kilometres
Estimated time to complete: 39 minutes
Another excellent running spot you can visit that’s near the Perth CBD is Claisebrook Cove. A captivating urban oasis in East Perth, this picturesque waterfront area was developed in the 1990s as part of Claisebrook Cove Village.
A big reason why I love running here from time to time is the rich variety of scenery to be found here. It still amazes me how Claisebrook Cove seamlessly blends natural wetlands, shaded walkways, and striking bridges into one!
There are also a couple of attractions you should look out for, like an intriguing public art trail that features around 150 hand-painted gecko sculptures.
Pro tip: Some parts of the trail have slopes and uneven surfaces, so make sure to wear high-quality running shoes that have good grip to lessen your chances of tripping.
It’s also important to observe proper trail etiquette here, as Claisebrook Cove tends to attract many tourists and locals. Always keep to the right and slow down whenever you’re about to pass a huge crowd.
Matilda Bay
Photo embed: mppmemories
Length: 2.1 kilometres
Estimated time to complete: 29 minutes
If you’re still looking for more riverside running trails, Matilda Bay has a 2.1-kilometre track that runs along the Swan River’s western bank. Located east of the University of Western Australia, this serene haven is good for casual and regular runners alike.
The thing I love most about this running trail is that most of its parts are shady, so you won’t be exposed much under the harsh sun. Furthermore, it has an impressive view of the Perth CBD and Kings Park and Botanic Garden.
This trail also has plenty of public bathrooms and benches along the way, should you get tired during your run. However, please take note that this trail winds through dedicated paths and roadside multi-use tracks, so pay close attention to traffic.
Pro tip: As mentioned earlier, the abundance of shade in Matilda Bay makes running here great, no matter the hour.
However, I find late afternoons to be the best, as the cool afternoon breeze from the river and softer light make for a more pleasant running experience.
Herdsman Lake
Photo credit: megan_ontheroad
Website: https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/park/herdsman-lake-regional-park
Address: 171 Jon Sanders Dr, Herdsman
Contact details: +61 8 9442 0300
Length: 7.4 kilometres
Estimated time to complete: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Aside from Lake Monger, another lake in Perth that’s great for your routine running sessions is Herdsman Lake. Located 6 kilometres northwest of Perth, this serene freshwater lake is actually only a couple of blocks away from Lake Monger.
Interestingly, there are actually a couple of routes you can take that can either shorten or lengthen your run here. The route map I’ve included features one of the longest routes, as it covers most areas surrounding the lake.
The best thing about Herdsman Lake, for me, is the rich diversity of flora and fauna you’ll encounter here while running. In fact, the lake is home to over 100 different bird species, including spotted doves, Pacific black ducks, and pied stilts.
Pro tip: Herdsman Lake is open to dogs if you want your furry friend to participate in your running session too. However, dogs are required to be kept on a leash to prevent them from scaring away the native bird population.
