Whether you’re naturally adventurous and always on the lookout for a new distance to conquer or just a simple mate looking for a morning walk, Perth offers some of the best hiking trails near the stunning coastlines or along the inner bushlands.
Our city also has the most favorable weather for outdoor activities, making it the perfect destination to consider if you seek hiking excursions as a local or someone who’s visiting the west side of Australia.
To guide you in this adventure, we’ve collated some of the most recommended hiking trails to try in Perth, so ready your gears, apply sunblock, and get hiking!
Lesmurdie Falls National Park | Forrestfield WA 6058
Activities: Bushwalking
With commanding views over the Swan Coastal Plain, of the city skyline, and beyond Rottnest Island, Lesmurdie Falls National Park is one of the best locations for bushwalking matched with picturesque scenery.
With a 300m to 3km trail range, you can ascend your way from the paved surface of the brook passing around the dyke of dark rocks and grove of quandongs to get back to the Falls. The walking trails on this site are on Class 2 & 3 difficulty degrees, and you should allow 30 minutes – 2 hours to explore Lesmurdie Falls. The best time to hike is in Spring when the falls are flowing and the wildflowers are blooming.
John Forrest National Park | Park Rd, Hovea WA 6056
Activities: Bushwalking | Horse Riding
Home to two waterfalls cascading down a large granite sheet and dropping sharply over 20m of a sheer rock face, John Forrest National Park is noted both for its cultural significance and natural attraction.
The park is set in jarrah forest dominated with marri, gum, swamp peppermint and paperbarks, and is home to rich wildlife featuring different species of mammals, reptiles, birds, and frogs.
Ranging a length of 300m to 16km, the trails (most of which follow the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail) are classified under Class 1 to Class 4 levels of difficulties, with Class 1 suitable for people in wheelchairs.
Ellis Brook Valley Reserve | Martin WA 6110
Activities: Bushwalking
With over 500 species of wildflowers, Ellis Brook Valley is the richest wildflower location in the Perth Metropolitan Area. It’s also a rich breeding site for many native and visiting species of birds, including cockatoos, parrots, pardalotes, wrens, and eagles.
The trails start at 430m to 2.8km with Easy Walk Trail providing wheelchair access of the bushland and Sixty Foot Falls Trail sweeping on the top of the waterfall past the Barrington Quarry. It is most recommended to visit the Valley during Spring, from mid-September to early November.
Jorgensen Park | Kalamunda WA 6076
Activities: Bushwalking
Located on the old unused Kalamunda Golf Course, Jorgensen Park Walk Trail treks along the old golf course fairways and the Bibbulmun track. A 2.7km loop with hardened tracks and compacted surface, Jorgensen Park trails are easy trails to Grade 2 Bush Walk not requiring much bushwalking experience.
The best time of the year to visit is from August to October where wildflowers are abundant.
Bold Park | Perry Lakes Dr, City Beach 6015
Activities: Bushwalking
Despite being near the city, Bold Park has impressive biodiversity composed of thousands of species of flora, fauna, and fungi to be explored and closely observed throughout the free guided walks. With over 15 km of walking and bridle trails, there are ten different lookouts of the expansive city views and coastal views of the Indian Ocean. Any time of the year, you can walk down the Camel Lake Heritage Trail, have free-guided walks or self-guided walks, and even join commercial tours.
