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Admire the scenery on the best walking trails in Perth
Whenever I find myself a bit lost and stressed about my responsibilities, I take a walk. The scenery helps me clear my head a bit and forget about my worries for a moment.
And I’m ever so thankful that enjoying this relaxing activity is so easy to do in Perth. This city is filled with historic suburbs with colourful roads and breathtaking natural parks with winding trails where I can freely walk on my own without worrying.
So, if you need some time to relax, it wouldn’t hurt to check out these amazing walking trails in Perth!
Rocky Pool Circuit Walk
Photo credit: _hasis_hamidi
Website: https://www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/
Address: At the end of Spring Road, Kalamunda
Contact details: +61 8 9257 9999
Length: 5 kilometres
Estimated time to complete: 2 hours
Up for a challenge? Then try walking along the majestic Rocky Pool Circuit Walk, located in Kalamunda National Park.
This 5-kilometre trail may take you between 90 and 120 minutes to complete and poses a bit of a challenge to beginner trail hikers.
This trail has a lot of amazing scenery worth seeing, including the spectacular valley views that let you see most of Perth’s skyline. Not to mention, the trail is flanked on both sides by a rich variety of various native trees and bushes.
However, the highlight of this trail is its titular natural water pool. The Rocky Pool is an excellent place to rest your feet and relax after a tiring walk across the park. I sometimes bring swimwear when visiting here so I can take a quick dip in the pool.
Pro tip: Make sure to wear proper footwear when visiting the Rocky Pool Circuit Walk. Some parts of the trail have steep descents that can cause you to fall and slip, especially when the ground is wet.
It would also be wise to bring a hiking cane with you to make your trek across the rugged terrain a lot easier.
Whistlepipe Gully Walk
Photo credit: exploreparkswa
Website: https://www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au
Address: End of Lewis Rd, Forrestfield
Contact details: +61 8 9257 9999
Length: 3.5 kilometres
Estimated time to complete: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Another walking trail that lets you trek across the wilderness is Whistlepipe Gully Walk, located in Mundy Regional Park. With a length of only 3.5 kilometres, this trail is suitable for people who are complete beginners when it comes to bushwalking.
The thing I love the most about this trail is the amount of impressive scenery you’ll come across, despite the trail’s somewhat short length. That’s because it follows a narrow river that has plenty of waterfalls and cascades along its route.
This place even has an impressive view of the city and the Indian Ocean, thanks to its elevated location. It’s always a treat to visit this place, especially during the spring season, because that’s the time when the wildflowers here are in full bloom.
Pro tip: Always stick to the trails and pay close attention to any signage you may come across during your walks.
That’s because some parts of the park are closed off to the general public to avoid the spread of a disease called Phytophthora Dieback.
This disease is highly lethal to many of Western Australia’s native flora, like banksia and hakeas.
Hill Street Walk
Photo credit: nordicwalkingwa
Website: https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/park/gooseberry-hill-national-park
Address: Gooseberry Hill Rd, Gooseberry Hill
Contact details: +61 8 9290 6100
Length: 2.4 kilometres
Estimated time to complete: 45 minutes
Hill Street Walk is a fairly easy walking trail that you’ll find at the eastern end of Hill Street in Gooseberry Hill. It can be done in less than an hour and is rated as a Class 2 trail, meaning it has no steep terrain and is suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
The trail winds through native reserve bushland, which is awesome as it offers a peaceful and natural setting. In particular, you’ll definitely love the variety of jarrah and redgum trees that surround the trail.
Furthermore, there’s also a large population of birdlife living here, making this trail a big hit among birdwatchers. During my visit, I was also able to catch some glimpses of the nearby Piesse Valley to the east.
Pro tip: If you’re interested in doing some bird watching too, make sure to bring a pair of binoculars to enhance your experience.
You can also download the Merlin Bird ID app, which can help you identify birds by uploading their photo or recording the bird’s song.
Get it on either the Play Store or the App Store.
Eagle’s View Walk
Photo credit: adriantanphotography
Website: https://www.westernaustralia.com
Address: Rangers Office, John Forrest National Park, Darlington
Contact details: +61 8 9298 8344
Operating hours:
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (MON-SUN)
Length: 16 kilometres
Estimated time to complete: 6 hours
For the ultimate bushwalking experience, the Eagle’s View Walk is waiting for you! Located in the vast John Forrest National Park, this lengthy trail is one of the longest you can try in Perth and requires almost an entire day to complete.
Honestly, it was quite challenging for me to complete a full loop here, but my efforts were worth it! Throughout my walk, I encountered plenty of natural wonders, including famous ones like Hovea Falls.
There are also impressive rock formations here that serve as landmarks to guide you through this 16-kilometre path. Furthermore, the elevated location of this national park allowed me to view a picturesque scene of the city with little to no obstructions.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to pack a light lunch and a water bottle with you if you plan on doing the entire loop. It also wouldn’t hurt to apply some sunscreen first to ensure you won’t get sunburnt after prolonged exposure to the sun.
Kings Park and Botanic Garden
Website: https://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/kings-park
Address: Fraser Ave, Perth
Contact details: +61 8 9480 3600
Length: 2.5 kilometres
Estimated time to complete: 30 minutes
If you wish to enjoy bushwalking but don’t have the time to visit the eastern outskirts of Perth, you can still do so from Kings Park and Botanic Garden. Located west of the Perth CBD, this park is a nature haven in the middle of the city.
In particular, there are two walking trails you can try here: the 1-kilometre Bushland Nature Trail and the 2.5-kilometre Law Walk. Both of them are located on the southern edge of the park, right beside the Swan River.
The longer one, Law Walk, is quite popular thanks to its lovely variety of scenery, which includes both manicured gardens and natural bushlands where some of the state’s native plants grow.
Not to mention, the view of the river from here is quite exquisite!
Pro tip: Aside from the two walking trails, there are also other noteworthy attractions you should check out during your visit here. A couple that I recommend are the State War Memorial, DNA Tower, and Lotterywest Federation Walkway.
Fremantle Discovery Trail
Website: https://www.visitfremantle.com.au/explore/things-to-do/walking-cycling
Contact details: +61 8 9432 9988
Length: 5.7 kilometres
Estimated time to complete: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Once you’re finished appreciating the natural wonders of Perth, it’s a good time to see some of its historical sites. Let’s start by trying the Fremantle Discovery Trail, a 5.7-kilometre walking trail that’ll take you to this historic city’s best attractions.
This trail covers iconic tourist attractions like the Fremantle Markets, Fremantle Prison, and the WA Maritime Museum. It also takes you through the historic West End, known for its Victorian-era streets and Federation-style merchant warehouses.
However, my personal favourite on this trail is the world-famous Cappuccino Strip, a cosmopolitan road with amazing restaurants and cafes. The trail also features Monument Hill, a sightseeing spot that showcases the Indian Ocean.
Pro tip: If you ever feel tired during your walk across Fremantle, there are plenty of free bus routes that can take you to the next attractions. Please refer to this map for more information on these bus routes and where their stops are.
Swan River Loop
Photo credit: cityofperth
Length: 9.8 kilometres
Estimated time to complete: 3 hours
For those who want to relish in the beauty of Perth during their walks, the Swan River Loop is perfect for you! A trail that goes through the northern and southern banks of the Swan River, this trail lets you walk along the busiest spots in the city.
The highlights of this trail are the various key attractions you’ll pass through along the way, like Elizabeth Quay, Barrack Street Jetty, and the South Perth Foreshore. It even lets you visit some lesser-known places like the Old Mill and Heirisson Island.
What’s amazing about this trail is that it has no definite starting point, and you’re free to begin either from the northern bank or the southern bank.
Personally, I prefer starting from Sir James Mitchell Park, as it features an impressive view of the city skyline.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to stop by every attraction you come across during your walk here!
Most of them have something unique to offer, like the colonial history preserved at the Old Mill and the friendly kangaroos you can hang out with at Heirisson Island.
Mosman Park Heritage Trail
Photo credit: townofmosmanpark
Website: https://www.mosmanpark.wa.gov.au
Contact details: +61 8 9383 6600
Length: 10.5 kilometres
Estimated time to complete: 3 hours and 10 minutes
Aside from Fremantle, another beachside town that offers a memorable walking experience is Mosman Park. With the Mosman Park Heritage Trail, you’ll have the chance to visit the 17 most iconic attractions and historic sites in this lovely suburb.
Throughout your almost three-hour-and-a-half walk, you can check out places like The Fertiliser Factory, Cottesloe Refinery, and Leighton Battery, which provide insights into the area’s rich past.
Nature lovers like me will also appreciate the various natural wonders this walking trail has to offer. In particular, I love visiting Minim Cove, as it has a small jetty where I can sit and ponder while the sun slowly sets over the horizon.
Pro tip: Please make sure that you wear something comfortable and carry a bottle of water during your walk on the Mosman Park Heritage Trail. Some parts of the trail have steep inclines and can pose a bit of a challenge if you’re unprepared.
