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

Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just starting to lace up your boots on weekends, Australia has some of the most accessible and rewarding walking trails in the world. Sydney alone sits at the doorstep of national parks, coastal paths and mountain escarpments that most cities could only dream of. If you've been typing "walking trails near me" into your phone on a Sunday morning and not knowing where to start, this is the guide for you.

The best walking trails near me: why Sydney is spoiled for choice

Sydney is genuinely one of the great walking cities. Within an hour of the CBD you have the Royal National Park to the south, the Blue Mountains to the west, the Northern Beaches to the north and one of the world's most celebrated coastal walks threading between the eastern suburbs. Whether you're after trails walks near me for a quick after-work escape or planning a full day out, the options are exceptional.

The key to enjoying them is having the right footwear. Sydney's walking trails range from flat paved paths to rocky coastal scrambles and rough sandstone steps — no single shoe suits all conditions. Our guide to La Sportiva hiking shoes breaks down what to look for based on the terrain you're tackling, and our full footwear collection covers everything from lightweight trail runners to technical hiking boots.

Royal National Park walks — Sydney's backyard wilderness

The Royal National Park is the second oldest national park in the world, established in 1879, and it sits just 30 kilometres south of the Sydney CBD. For walkers, it is extraordinary — offering everything from short waterfall circuits to multi-day coastal routes through genuinely remote bushland.

Coast Track (26 km, 2 days) The most famous of the Royal National Park walks, the Coast Track runs from Bundeena to Otford along one of the most dramatic stretches of coastline in New South Wales. It passes clifftop lookouts, hidden beaches, Aboriginal rock engravings and dense banksia scrub. The full route is an overnight walk requiring camping permits, but individual sections can be done as day walks from either end.

Difficulty: Moderate to hard | Best time: Autumn through spring (avoid summer heat on exposed sections)

Wattamolla to Curracurrang (8 km return) A more accessible option within the park, this trail links two of the park's most popular swimming spots through coastal heath and sandstone platforms. The terrain is rougher than it looks on the map — solid footwear with grip is important, particularly on wet rock. Our La Sportiva collection includes approach shoes and trail runners well suited to this kind of mixed terrain.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Best time: Year-round

Uloola Falls circuit (10 km) Inland from the coast, the Uloola Falls circuit winds through tall eucalypt forest and fern-filled gullies to a series of cascades before looping back. A quieter option than the coastal tracks, and a good choice for cooler weather when the waterfalls are running strong.

Difficulty: Moderate | Best time: Winter and spring

Bondi to Coogee — Sydney's iconic coastal walk

The Bondi to Coogee walk is arguably the most famous of all Sydney's walking trails, and it earns that reputation. The 6-kilometre coastal path connects two of Sydney's most celebrated beaches via a series of sandstone headlands, ocean pools, sculpture installations and clifftop gardens. It is flat enough to be accessible for almost anyone, scenic enough to impress even those who've done it a dozen times, and short enough to be comfortably completed in two hours.

For the best experience: start early to avoid weekend crowds, bring sunscreen (the path is largely exposed), and extend the walk to Maroubra or Clovelly if you want more time on the trail. Almost any comfortable walking shoe handles this path well — it's sealed for most of its length — but if you're adding on to rougher coastal sections, a shoe with more grip is worth having. Browse our footwear collection for options across all walk types.

Distance: 6 km one way | Difficulty: Easy | Best time: Year-round (early morning or late afternoon in summer)

Manly walking trails — the northern beaches on foot

Manly is one of Sydney's most underrated walking destinations. The Manly to Spit Bridge walk is a 10-kilometre route that hugs the northern shores of Sydney Harbour, winding through coastal scrub, Aboriginal heritage sites, secluded beaches and harbour viewpoints that most visitors to the city never discover.

Manly to Spit Bridge (10 km one way) This is one of the finest harbour walks in Australia. The trail is well-signposted and mostly well-maintained, though some sections involve rocky, uneven footing where grip and ankle support matter. Allow 3 to 4 hours one way, then catch the bus or ferry back from Spit Bridge.

Difficulty: Moderate | Best time: Year-round

Shelly Beach to Collins Flat (3 km circuit) For a shorter option starting from Manly, the circuit around the Manly Scenic Walkway's southern section delivers big harbour views without the full commitment of the Spit Bridge route. Good for an hour or two, with the option to extend further north if you're keen.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Best time: Year-round

If you prefer something more open on the foot — particularly on drier summer days — our Bedrock Sandals collection is worth a look for paved and easy coastal trails where full boot support isn't needed.

Blue Mountains easy walks — accessible alpine scenery

The Blue Mountains sit 90 minutes west of Sydney and offer everything from serious multi-day ridge walks to genuinely easy lookout trails that deliver dramatic valley views without requiring any technical ability. For families, beginners or anyone who wants epic scenery without a brutal workout, the easy walks in the Blue Mountains are hard to beat.

Echo Point and the Three Sisters (1–2 km, Katoomba) The most visited viewpoint in the Blue Mountains, and for good reason. The Three Sisters rock formation and the Jamison Valley beyond it are genuinely spectacular. The short walk from Echo Point to the top of the Giant Stairway is easy — if you descend the stairway into the valley, it becomes significantly harder on the return.

Difficulty: Easy (lookout only) to hard (full valley descent) | Best time: Year-round, though misty winter mornings are particularly atmospheric

Leura Cascades to Olympian Rock (3 km circuit) A beautiful, mostly easy circuit starting from Leura that links two waterfall lookouts with an escarpment ridge walk. The path is well-maintained and suitable for most fitness levels, with one or two steeper pinches that slow the pace briefly.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Best time: Autumn and winter when falls are running

Wentworth Falls (5.5 km circuit) One of the best Blue Mountains easy walks for those who want a bit more distance without extreme difficulty. The circuit descends to the base of Wentworth Falls through beautifully preserved temperate rainforest before climbing back up via the National Pass ledge walk — an extraordinary cut into the cliff face above the falls.

Difficulty: Moderate | Best time: Autumn through spring

For any trail involving descent and uneven rock surfaces in the Blue Mountains, footwear with solid grip and ankle support makes a significant difference. Our La Sportiva collection and broader footwear range cover options specifically suited to sandstone and escarpment terrain.

Walking trail tips: making the most of trails walks near me

Wherever you're walking, a few things make every outing better:

Start with the right footwear. The single most common reason people have a bad time on a walking trail is wearing the wrong shoes. Even easy coastal walks involve unexpected wet rock or sandy paths where grip matters. Our La Sportiva hiking shoes guide explains what to look for based on terrain, and our team in-store can help you match the shoe to the walk.

Go early. Sydney's most popular walking trails — Bondi to Coogee, the Coast Track, Echo Point — are significantly more pleasant before 9am on weekends. The light is also better for photography.

Tell someone your plan. For any walk over two hours, especially in the Royal National Park or the Blue Mountains, let someone know your intended route and expected return time.

Carry more water than you think you need. Most of Sydney's walking trails have limited or no water along the route. In summer, dehydration hits faster than expected, particularly on exposed coastal and escarpment sections.

Dave Parker, our CEO at PAST Outdoors on a recent trip to Canterbury Plains, New Zealand

Find your next walk with PAST Outdoors

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

Whether you're after something easy for a Sunday morning or working your way toward more challenging terrain, we're here to help. Browse our footwear collection, explore our La Sportiva range for trail-ready shoes that handle Sydney's varied walking terrain, or check out our Bedrock Sandals for warmer-weather coastal walks. And if you want more trail inspiration, our guide to Australia's best trails and our favourite hikes from Sydney to Melbourne are both worth reading before you plan your next outing.