Best hiking trails near you: PAST Outdoors' guide to hiking trails across Australia

Sydney doesn't just have walking trails — it has proper hiking. Within 90 minutes of the CBD, you can be deep in sandstone canyons, ridge-walking above valleys that drop hundreds of metres, or crossing coastal headlands on tracks that haven't changed in decades. If you've been searching for hiking trails near me and want something with genuine terrain underfoot, this is the guide for you.

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Hiking trails near me: what makes Sydney different

Most capital cities have parks on their outskirts. Sydney has two of Australia's great wilderness regions — the Blue Mountains to the west and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park to the north — plus the Royal National Park to the south, all within a manageable drive from the city. The variety is extraordinary: sandstone escarpments, Aboriginal heritage tracks, fern-filled canyons, exposed ridgelines and dense eucalypt forest, all accessible without a long-haul flight or a week off work.

What you need is the right footwear. Sydney's hiking trails involve everything from rocky creek crossings to slippery sandstone in the wet, and the wrong boot will make a hard day significantly harder. Our top 5 men's hiking boots for 2026 is a good starting point if you're due for an upgrade, and our full hiking boots collection covers options for every terrain type and budget.

Blue Mountains hiking trails — where the serious hikes are

The Blue Mountains is Sydney's premier hiking destination. The escarpment system that surrounds the Jamison, Grose and Megalong valleys offers a concentration of challenging, rewarding day walks and multi-day routes that rivals anywhere in the country.

Grand Canyon Track, Blackheath (6.5 km loop)

One of the finest canyon hikes in New South Wales — and one that surprises people who expect the Blue Mountains to be all lookouts and tourist infrastructure. The Grand Canyon Track descends from Evans Lookout into a slot canyon carved through sandstone by centuries of water movement. It passes beneath overhanging cliffs, through fern grottos and along creek lines before climbing back to the clifftop via a different route. The terrain is rocky and uneven throughout, and wet sandstone in the canyon can be treacherous — grip matters here. Allow 3 to 4 hours, and add trekking poles if you have them — they make a real difference on the descent. Our trekking poles and crampons collection covers a range of options suited to Blue Mountains terrain.

Distance: 6.5 km loop | Difficulty: Moderate to hard | Best time: Autumn through spring | Start: Evans Lookout, Blackheath

National Pass and Valley of the Waters, Wentworth Falls (5.5 km circuit)

This is arguably the most spectacular day hike in the Blue Mountains. The National Pass is a ledge walk cut into the cliff face above Wentworth Falls, traversing impossibly positioned stone pathways above a sheer drop to the valley floor. The Valley of the Waters section that follows descends through temperate rainforest past multiple cascades to the valley bottom before climbing back up through dense bush. It is genuinely dramatic without being technically demanding — the path is narrow in places and requires care, but most fit walkers can handle it comfortably with good footwear.

Distance: 5.5 km circuit | Difficulty: Moderate | Best time: Autumn and winter when the falls are running | Start: Conservation Hut, Wentworth Falls

Six Foot Track, Katoomba to Jenolan Caves (45 km, 3 days)

The Six Foot Track is the Blue Mountains' premier multi-day hiking trail and one of New South Wales' great long-distance walks. Built in 1884 as a horse route to the Jenolan Caves, it descends from Katoomba through the Megalong Valley, crosses the Cox's River and climbs through forest to the spectacular Black Range ridgeline before dropping to Jenolan. The route passes through country rarely seen by most Blue Mountains visitors and covers a significant amount of vertical gain across three days of solid walking.

This is a proper expedition — you'll need a tent, sleeping gear, food and water treatment capacity. A daypack is not enough here; carry a full multi-day pack. Our daypacks collection also covers pack sizes suitable for ambitious day hikes, while multi-day-specific packs are available across our hiking range. A Garmin InReach or PLB is strongly recommended on the Six Foot Track, particularly the Cox's River crossing, which can become impassable in high water.

Distance: 45 km | Difficulty: Hard | Best time: Autumn through spring | Start: Explorers Tree, Katoomba | End: Jenolan Caves

Ruined Castle, Jamison Valley (11 km return)

One of the best half-day hikes in the Blue Mountains, the Ruined Castle walk descends from Katoomba Falls to a striking rock formation in the middle of the Jamison Valley — a collection of weathered sandstone pillars that genuinely does resemble a ruined castle from above. The descent and return involve significant elevation change across a relatively short distance, making it a solid workout. The rock formation itself rewards the effort — the views back to the escarpment and across to Mount Solitary are exceptional.

Distance: 11 km return | Difficulty: Hard | Best time: Year-round | Start: Katoomba Falls car park

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park hiking trails — Sydney's north

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is one of Sydney's most underrated hiking destinations. Located in the city's northern suburbs, it combines harbour foreshore, sandstone ridgelines and one of the highest concentrations of Aboriginal rock engravings in Australia. The park's hiking trails range from short heritage walks to longer coastal routes that feel remarkably remote despite being accessible from the train network.

West Head to Resolute Beach (8 km return)

This is Ku-ring-gai's standout day hike. The track winds from West Head Road through scribbly gum woodland past multiple Aboriginal engraving sites before descending to the isolated Resolute Beach on the shores of Pittwater. The engravings — particularly the large site near the start of the walk — are worth taking time at. Allow 3 to 4 hours return, and carry plenty of water — there are no facilities on the track.

Distance: 8 km return | Difficulty: Moderate | Best time: Year-round | Start: West Head Road, Ku-ring-gai Chase

America Bay Track (10 km circuit)

A longer circuit from West Head that descends to America Bay on Pittwater and loops back through diverse bush terrain. The track passes additional Aboriginal heritage sites and several secluded foreshore viewpoints that most visitors to the park never reach. The terrain is sandstone throughout — sturdy hike boots with solid grip make a noticeable difference, particularly on descent after rain.

Distance: 10 km circuit | Difficulty: Moderate | Best time: Autumn through spring | Start: West Head Road

Sphinx Track to Bobbin Head (8 km one way)

Starting from Mount Colah, the Sphinx Memorial Track descends to the tidal inlet at Bobbin Head through a mix of eucalypt forest and creek-side rainforest. The track passes the Sphinx War Memorial — a sandstone carving maintained by the local bushwalking club since 1936 — before following Cockle Creek to the waterway at Bobbin Head. Return by bus or arrange transport in advance.

Distance: 8 km one way | Difficulty: Moderate | Best time: Year-round | Start: Mount Colah

Hunter Valley Ranges — a day hike worth the drive

Ourimbah Creek to Bumble Hill, Watagan State Forest (varies) For hikers willing to venture a little further north of Sydney, the Watagans offer quiet forest trails on sandstone ridgelines with sweeping views across the Hunter Valley. The trails here are less crowded than anything in the Blue Mountains, the terrain is varied and the sense of genuine remoteness is striking for somewhere accessible in under two hours from the CBD. Worth combining with a rest stop in the Hunter Valley before or after.

Gear for Sydney hiking trails — what to carry

Hiking boots. Most of Sydney's serious hiking trails — Grand Canyon, National Pass, the Six Foot Track, Ku-ring-gai — involve uneven, rocky terrain where ankle support and grip are non-negotiable. Our hiking boots collection is the right starting point, and our top 5 men's hiking boots for 2026 gives you a shortlist if you're unsure where to begin.

Trekking poles. On any track involving significant descent or ascent — especially the Blue Mountains canyons and valley routes — trekking poles reduce knee stress and improve stability on slippery sandstone. Browse our trekking poles and crampons collection for options across different weights and budgets.

Daypack. A well-fitted daypack in the 20 to 30 litre range carries everything you need without weighing you down. Our daypacks collection includes options from Osprey and other trusted brands suited to Sydney's day hike distances. For the Six Foot Track or any multi-day route, step up to a larger capacity pack.

Water. Most of the hiking trails near me in Sydney have limited or no water on route — carry at least two litres per person for anything over three hours, more in summer.

For more trail inspiration to pair with this guide, check out our guide to Sydney's best walking trails and our broader guide to Australia's best hiking trails for options beyond New South Wales.

Ready to hike? Gear up with PAST Outdoors

PAST Outdoors is a family-owned Australian outdoor retailer based in Helensburgh, NSW — right on the edge of the Royal National Park and the Illawarra Escarpment. We're rated 4.9 stars from over 2,000 reviews and have been helping Sydney hikers find the right gear for years.

Whether you're planning your first day hike in Ku-ring-gai or preparing for the Six Foot Track, we stock everything you need — from hiking boots and trekking poles to daypacks and trail nutrition. Visit us in-store or shop online, and get in touch if you want personalised advice on the right kit for the trail you're planning.