5 Best Hiking Trails in Sydney (2026)

Balls Head Reserve is a harbourside nature reserve at Waverton with a wall walk along the foreshore, taking in views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and skyline. It carries a history tied to Aboriginal heritage sites and a former industrial quarantine depot, and the trail is a relatively easy walk connecting to bushland with indigenous rock engravings. It's the most-reviewed trail on this page, and reviewers describe it as an easy 10-minute walk from Waverton station.

Spit to Manly Walk, also known as the Manly Scenic Walkway, is a roughly 10km coastal track through Sydney Harbour National Park connecting Clontarf to Manly. It's the highest-rated trail here at 4.8 stars, and reviewers describe a genuine mix of bush and beach terrain with several spots to stop and swim along the way. A bus service back from Manly means you don't need to walk both directions.

The Bay Run is a roughly 7km flat, accessible loop circling Iron Cove between Drummoyne and Five Dock, popular with walkers, joggers and cyclists. It's mostly wheelchair and pram accessible, with several cafes along the route and a mix of parks including Timbrell and Callan Park nearby. Reviewers describe it as busy on sunny days but easy to navigate with plenty of parking options.

Two Creeks Track is a bushwalking trail in Garigal National Park near Lindfield, taking in a valley of mangroves, creeks and a lookout over a small beach and bay. Reviewers describe several distinct landscapes packed into a relatively short walk, with an easy-to-moderate grade suited to families. Public transport access via Lindfield station and a bus back from Roseville Bridge makes it car-free friendly.

Whale Rock is a short bushland trail near Pennant Hills, named for a distinctive rock formation about 250 metres from the trailhead that reviewers compare to a whale's mouth. The trail connects to the longer Great North Walk for those wanting a bigger day out, and reviewers note ample street parking and clear signage along most of the route. It's a shorter walk than the others on this page, suited to a quick outing.