Top 10hikeSydney

Top 10 Best Places to Hike in Sydney

Experience Sydney's spectacular coastal and bushland trails, where dramatic sandstone cliffs meet pristine beaches and ancient eucalyptus forests. From world-famous coastal walks to Blue Mountains adventures just outside the city, Sydney offers diverse hiking experiences for every skill level.

Updated January 21, 2026

All-Time Best

1.

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
$
Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach, Sydney NSW, Australia

Australia's most famous urban coastal walk stretches 6 kilometers along dramatic sandstone cliffs, passing stunning beaches, ocean pools, and Aboriginal rock carvings. The path connects six beaches and offers breathtaking Pacific Ocean views, public art, and excellent cafes along the way.

Highlights

  • Six connected beaches
  • Dramatic cliff views
  • Ocean swimming pools
  • Aboriginal heritage sites
Also available on:Book Guided Tour
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2.

Blue Mountains Three Sisters Walk

Blue Mountains Three Sisters Walk
$
Echo Point, Katoomba, Blue Mountains NSW, Australia

Explore the iconic Blue Mountains just 90 minutes from Sydney, featuring the legendary Three Sisters rock formation, dramatic valley views, and diverse bushwalking trails. The area offers everything from easy lookout walks to challenging wilderness treks through ancient rainforest.

Highlights

  • Three Sisters rock formation
  • Giant Stairway descent
  • Scenic Railway and Skyway
  • World Heritage rainforest
Also available on:Book Day Trip
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3.

Royal National Park Coast Track

Royal National Park Coast Track
$
Royal National Park, Bundeena to Otford, NSW, Australia

Australia's oldest national park offers this spectacular 26-kilometer coastal trail through pristine bushland, past secluded beaches, and along dramatic sandstone cliffs. The two-day hike (or challenging one-day trek) showcases the best of Sydney's natural heritage.

Highlights

  • 26km coastal adventure
  • Pristine beaches
  • Wedding Cake Rock
  • Bush camping options
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4.

Manly to Spit Bridge Walk

Manly to Spit Bridge Walk
$
Manly to Spit Bridge, Sydney Harbour, NSW, Australia

This 10-kilometer harbour-side walk offers a unique perspective of Sydney, combining beaches, bushland, and stunning harbour views. The trail winds through Dobroyd Head and features Aboriginal engravings, secluded beaches, and diverse native wildlife.

Highlights

  • Sydney Harbour views
  • Aboriginal rock engravings
  • Secluded harbour beaches
  • Diverse birdlife
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5.

Grand Canyon Track Blue Mountains

Grand Canyon Track Blue Mountains
$
Evans Lookout Road, Blackheath, Blue Mountains NSW, Australia

One of Australia's most scenic bushwalks, this 6.3-kilometer loop descends into a lush canyon filled with ancient ferns, overhanging cliffs, and mysterious caves. The trail through Blackheath offers an otherworldly experience of the Blue Mountains' unique geology.

Highlights

  • Ancient fern groves
  • Overhanging rock formations
  • Magical atmosphere
  • Loop track convenience
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6.

Sydney Harbour Bridge to Taronga Zoo Walk

Sydney Harbour Bridge to Taronga Zoo Walk
$
Sydney Harbour Bridge to Taronga Zoo, NSW, Australia

Combine Sydney's iconic landmarks with this scenic walk from the Harbour Bridge through Cremorne Point to Taronga Zoo. The path offers ever-changing harbour views, hidden beaches, and the chance to spot native birds and possums in foreshore bushland.

Highlights

  • Opera House views
  • Harbour Bridge crossing
  • Taronga Zoo ferry
  • Hidden harbour beaches
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7.

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
$
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, NSW, Australia

Just 25 kilometers from Sydney CBD, this national park offers 100 kilometers of walking tracks through pristine bushland, past Aboriginal rock art sites, and along scenic waterways. The America Bay Track and West Head Lookout are particular highlights.

Highlights

  • Aboriginal rock engravings
  • Pittwater views
  • Diverse wildlife
  • Close to Sydney
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8.

Wentworth Falls Circuit

Wentworth Falls Circuit
$
Falls Road, Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains NSW, Australia

This spectacular 5-kilometer circuit in the Blue Mountains showcases one of Australia's most impressive waterfalls, plunging 297 meters into the Jamison Valley. The track offers multiple viewing platforms and dramatic valley overlooks.

Highlights

  • 297-meter waterfall
  • Valley floor access
  • Multiple lookouts
  • Year-round flow
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9.

Palm Beach to Barrenjoey Lighthouse

Palm Beach to Barrenjoey Lighthouse
$
Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach, NSW, Australia

Walk to the tip of Sydney's Northern Beaches peninsula and climb to the historic Barrenjoey Lighthouse. The 2-kilometer trail offers panoramic views over Pittwater, Palm Beach, and the Hawkesbury River meeting the Pacific Ocean.

Highlights

  • Historic lighthouse
  • 360-degree views
  • Whale watching spot
  • Pittwater panoramas
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10.

North Head Sanctuary Walk

North Head Sanctuary Walk
$
North Head Scenic Drive, Manly, NSW, Australia

Explore this dramatic headland at Sydney Harbour's entrance, featuring former military fortifications, endangered ecological communities, and sweeping ocean views. The walking trails reveal Sydney's military history alongside unique coastal heath ecosystems.

Highlights

  • Military history
  • Harbour entrance views
  • Endangered wildlife
  • Quarantine Station
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Best of 2026

1.

Sydney Harbour National Park Extended Trail

Sydney Harbour National Park Extended Trail
$
Sydney Harbour National Park, various trailheads, NSW, Australia

The newly connected trail system linking Sydney Harbour's foreshore parks has become the city's most popular hiking route in 2026. Enhanced signage and ferry connections make it easy to explore multiple sections of this 30-kilometer urban bushland network.

Highlights

  • 30km connected trails
  • Ferry access points
  • Harbour beaches
  • Aboriginal heritage sites
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2.

Blue Mountains First Nations Walking Tours

Blue Mountains First Nations Walking Tours
$$
Various locations, Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia

New Indigenous-led walking experiences in the Blue Mountains have gained significant popularity in 2026, offering authentic cultural perspectives on the landscape. These guided walks combine bushcraft, storytelling, and traditional ecological knowledge.

Highlights

  • Indigenous-led tours
  • Traditional knowledge
  • Bush tucker tasting
  • Cultural storytelling
Also available on:Book Cultural Tour
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3.

Coogee to Maroubra Extension

Coogee to Maroubra Extension
$
Coogee to Maroubra Beach, Sydney NSW, Australia

The newly completed coastal walk extension from Coogee to Maroubra has added stunning new sections to Sydney's beloved coastal trail network. The route passes through Lurline Bay and offers dramatic cliff-top views and access to pristine ocean pools.

Highlights

  • Newly completed route
  • Ocean pool swimming
  • Cliff-top views
  • Connects to Bondi walk
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Spring Hikes

1.

Blue Mountains Wildflower Walks

Blue Mountains Wildflower Walks
$
Leura, Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia

Spring transforms the Blue Mountains into a wildflower wonderland, with native waratahs, banksias, and orchids blooming across the heathlands. The Leura Cascades to Gordon Falls walk is particularly spectacular from September to November.

Highlights

  • Native wildflower displays
  • Waratah blooms
  • Waterfall views
  • Peak September-November
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2.

Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Trail

Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Trail
$
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, NSW, Australia

The spring wildflower display in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park showcases over 1,000 plant species, many found nowhere else on earth. The Resolute Track and Gibberagong Trail offer the best wildflower viewing during the September-October peak.

Highlights

  • 1,000+ plant species
  • Endemic wildflowers
  • Bushland photography
  • Peak September-October
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Summer Hikes

1.

Bondi to Bronte Early Morning Walk

Bondi to Bronte Early Morning Walk
$
Bondi Beach to Bronte Beach, Sydney NSW, Australia

Beat the summer heat with an early morning walk along this popular section of the coastal trail. The sunrise over the Pacific is spectacular, and the ocean pools at Bronte offer a refreshing swim before the crowds arrive.

Highlights

  • Pacific sunrise views
  • Ocean pool swimming
  • Avoid crowds
  • Cool morning air
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2.

Blue Mountains Valley Trails

Blue Mountains Valley Trails
$
Conservation Hut, Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains NSW, Australia

Escape Sydney's summer heat in the cool valleys of the Blue Mountains, where temperatures are typically 5-10 degrees cooler. The shaded Valley of the Waters walk offers waterfalls and lush rainforest perfect for hot days.

Highlights

  • 5-10 degrees cooler
  • Shaded rainforest
  • Waterfall swimming spots
  • Escape city heat
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Fall Hikes

1.

Mount Wilson Autumn Colors

Mount Wilson Autumn Colors
$
Mount Wilson, Blue Mountains NSW, Australia

Australia's best autumn foliage display occurs at Mount Wilson in the Blue Mountains, where European deciduous trees create a spectacular tapestry of red, orange, and gold during April and May. The village walks showcase historic gardens and cathedral avenues.

Highlights

  • Best autumn colors in Australia
  • Historic gardens
  • Cathedral of Ferns
  • Peak April-May
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2.

Royal National Park Autumn Trail

Royal National Park Autumn Trail
$
Royal National Park, NSW, Australia

Autumn's mild weather makes this the perfect season for the longer trails in Royal National Park. The Figure Eight Pools become accessible, and the cooler temperatures allow comfortable full-day hiking along the coast track.

Highlights

  • Perfect hiking weather
  • Figure Eight Pools
  • Comfortable temperatures
  • Full-day adventures
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Winter Hikes

1.

Sydney Coastal Walks Winter Sun

Sydney Coastal Walks Winter Sun
$
Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, Sydney NSW, Australia

Sydney's mild winters make coastal walking a year-round pleasure. The Bondi to Coogee walk is particularly enjoyable in winter with fewer crowds, migrating whales visible offshore, and comfortable temperatures perfect for longer walks.

Highlights

  • Whale migration season
  • Fewer crowds
  • Perfect temperatures
  • Sunny winter days
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2.

Blue Mountains Winter Waterfalls

Blue Mountains Winter Waterfalls
$
Various waterfalls, Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia

Winter rains bring the Blue Mountains waterfalls to their most dramatic flow. The National Pass at Wentworth Falls and Govetts Leap at Blackheath offer spectacular displays of cascading water against the winter backdrop.

Highlights

  • Peak waterfall flow
  • Dramatic scenery
  • Misty atmospheres
  • Photography paradise
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Frequently Asked Questions

The Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is Sydney's most famous coastal trail, offering 6 kilometers of stunning cliff-top views, six beaches, and ocean pools. For a longer adventure, the Manly to Spit Bridge Walk offers 10 kilometers of harbour-side scenery. Both are accessible by public transport.

The Blue Mountains are approximately 90 minutes from Sydney by car or 2 hours by train from Central Station. Trains run regularly to Katoomba, the main gateway town. Many visitors also join organized day tours that include transport and guided walks to major attractions.

Sydney enjoys year-round hiking weather, but autumn (March-May) and spring (September-November) offer the most comfortable conditions. Coastal walks are pleasant year-round with mild winters. Summer can be hot, so start early or choose shaded bushland trails. Winter offers excellent waterfall viewing in the Blue Mountains.

Yes, most of Sydney's popular hiking trails are very safe and well-marked. Popular coastal walks see many other walkers daily. For longer bushland trails, inform someone of your plans, carry plenty of water, and download offline maps. Mobile phone coverage is good on most trails close to Sydney.

Sun protection is essential year-round - bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Carry at least 2 liters of water per person for longer walks. Wear sturdy shoes with good grip for rocky coastal and bushland trails. In summer, swim gear is useful for ocean pool stops. Check fire danger ratings before bushland hikes.