For a walk you can do on any day of the year, start with the Law Walk in Kings Park. It’s 3.7 km, free, has toilets and cafés at the start, and gives you the best views of the river and city for the effort. For a proper day in the bush, our editor’s pick is Eagle View in John Forrest National Park.
We ranked these on the payoff (views, variety, the reason you’d drive there), how consistently they’re recommended, and whether they’re worth doing in most seasons. Parking, toilets, shade, dog rules and how hard the walk is came next.
One caveat for this time of year. The Hills waterfalls at Lesmurdie and Ellis Brook are at their best from July to September and fade through summer. From December to March, the coast and river walks are the better choice, and early mornings beat afternoons on every walk here.
Quick comparison
| Rank | Walk | Distance and time | Difficulty | Dogs | Best season | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Law Walk, Kings Park | 3.7 km loop, about 1.5 hrs | Easy | On lead | Year-round | Busy on weekends |
| 2 | Lesmurdie Falls, Mundy Regional Park | 640 m to 3 km loops | Easy to moderate | On lead (check signs) | Jun to Nov | Falls dry in summer |
| 3 | Whistlepipe Gully, Forrestfield | 3.5 km, about 1.5 hrs | Moderate | On lead | Autumn to spring | Street parking only |
| 4 | Cape Peron Loop, Rockingham | 2.2 km loop, under 1 hr | Easy | On lead | Year-round | Exposed, no toilets |
| 5 | Bold Park (Zamia Trail), City Beach | 5.1 km loop, 1 to 1.5 hrs | Moderate | On lead | Year-round | No toilets or water |
| 6 | Ellis Brook Valley, Martin | 2 km to 2.8 km | Easy or hard | On lead | Sep to Nov | Shut on fire ban days |
| 7 | Scarborough to Trigg Heritage Trail | About 7 km over 3 loops | Easy to moderate | On lead | Year-round | Little shade |
| 8 | Eagle View, John Forrest NP Editor’s pick | 8.8 km or 16 km loop | Moderate or hard | No | Apr to Oct | Park fee, hot in summer |
| 9 | Bells Rapids, Brigadoon | 2.5 km to 2.75 km | Easy to moderate | Yes | Jul to Nov | Crowded weekend mornings |
| 10 | Herdsman Lake Loop | 8 km loop, 1.5 to 3 hrs | Easy, flat | On lead | Year-round | No toilets, snakes |
Jump to an area: City and river · Perth Hills · Coast · Bushland suburbs · Swan Valley
How we chose
We started with 19 walks within about an hour of the CBD, drawn from trail directories, council and Parks and Wildlife information, local guides and the Google results Perth people actually see. We set the criteria before looking at individual trails. Most weight went to the payoff, how consistently each walk is recommended across independent sources, and whether it’s worth doing in most seasons. Practicality, how many fitness levels it suits and comfort in Perth heat came next, then distance from the city.
Facts like distance, difficulty, dog rules and facilities come from Trails WA, Parks and Wildlife and local councils. What walkers report comes from Google reviews, the topics that come up most in them, and r/perth threads where locals recommend walks. Our editor has walked three of these trails himself: Eagle View, Whistlepipe Gully and Kitty’s Gorge. Information was last checked in October 2026. More on how we rank.
1. Law Walk and Lotterywest Federation Walkway, Kings Park
Best for: a walk you can do any day of the year, with visitors, kids or anyone who doesn’t want a hike.
Why it made our Top 10
The Law Walk is the easiest way to get the views Perth is known for. The 3.7 km loop starts near the State War Memorial, follows the edge of Mount Eliza through bushland above the river, and takes in the Lotterywest Federation Walkway, an elevated walkway through the treetops of the Botanic Garden. Trails WA rates it easy.
It wins the top spot because nothing else here works as well in every season. It’s free, there are toilets and cafés at the start, dogs are allowed on a lead, and you can be back at the car in 90 minutes. Kings Park is also one of the most-recommended walks across the Perth walking guides we checked.
What locals mention
Kings Park is rated 4.8 from more than 28,000 Google reviews. Recent reviewers mention the view over the river, the spring wildflowers, black cockatoos and sunsets over the city. On r/perth, a local guidebook author suggests it for visitors, especially in winter and spring when the wildflowers are out.
Things to know
- It’s a shared path and gets busy on weekends, with families, runners, dogs and people stopping for photos.
- The paved section is steep in places and the return leg is sandy, so it isn’t fully accessible without help.
- The Federation Walkway is open 9am to 5pm.
Top 10 Perth tip
In summer, go early. You’ll have the river views without the heat or the crowds, and you can finish with breakfast at one of the cafés near the start.
Quick facts
- Area
- Kings Park, West Perth
- Distance and time
- 3.7 km loop, about 1.5 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy (Trails WA Class 2)
- Dogs
- Yes, on lead
- Pram
- Partly. Steep paved sections and a sandy return
- Toilets
- Yes, including accessible
- Fee
- Free
- Best season
- Year-round
- Official info
- Trails WA
2. Lesmurdie Falls, Mundy Regional Park
Best for: the biggest waterfall close to the city, and sunset views over the coastal plain.
Why it made our Top 10
Lesmurdie Falls is about 30 minutes east of the CBD, and it’s the most-recommended walk in the Hills across the guides we checked. You can choose how much effort to put in. The Falls Trail is 640 m to the lookout, the Lesmurdie Brook Loop is 1.5 km and easy, and the 3 km Valley Loop takes about two hours and heads down to the base of the falls.
The car park is large and there are toilets, picnic tables and BBQs at the top. That combination of a big payoff and easy logistics is why it ranks this high, even though the falls are seasonal.
What locals mention
It’s rated 4.7 from more than 3,000 Google reviews. “Waterfall” is by far the most-mentioned topic, followed by hiking, scenery and the city views. Reviewers often say the lower trails are steeper than they expect, and to bring water and proper shoes. On r/perth it’s a common suggestion for a short hike or a dog walk.
Things to know
- Parks and Wildlife says the falls are usually dry in summer and most of autumn. Go in late winter or spring if the waterfall is the point.
- Winter rain can mean shallow water crossings on the Valley Loop.
- Trails WA lists dogs on lead for the Lesmurdie trails. Check the signs at the car park, because rules vary across Hills parks.
Top 10 Perth tip
Out of waterfall season, come for the sunset rather than the falls. The view across the Swan Coastal Plain from the top lookout is there all year.
Quick facts
- Area
- Falls Road, Lesmurdie
- Distance and time
- 640 m to 3 km, up to about 2 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy (Brook Loop) to moderate (Valley Loop)
- Dogs
- On lead, per Trails WA
- Pram
- Short sections near the top only
- Toilets
- Yes, including accessible
- Fee
- Free
- Best season
- June to November
- Official info
- Trails WA
3. Whistlepipe Gully, Forrestfield
Best for: a short, shady creek walk, and one of the few Hills walks you can do with the dog.
Why it made our Top 10
Whistlepipe Gully follows a creek up a shaded valley in Mundy Regional Park, past small cascades, to views back over the city. It’s 3.5 km and takes about 90 minutes. Our editor has walked it, and it’s the Hills walk we’d send most people to first: short enough for a weekday, varied enough to feel like a proper walk.
Dogs are allowed on a lead, which sets it apart. Most of the big Hills walks are in national parks, where pets aren’t permitted.
What locals mention
It’s rated 4.6 from more than 600 Google reviews, and “dogs” is the most-mentioned topic, ahead of the creek and the waterfalls. Reviewers describe it as easy to moderate, with a steep, rocky descent on the return that can be slippery. They also point out there are no toilets or picnic tables. It comes up again and again on r/perth, where locals call it a relatively easy loop and suggest it for dog walks and for kids.
Things to know
- Parking is limited to the end of Lewis Road, and the City of Kalamunda warns that fines may apply. Recent Google reviews often mention how hard it is to get a spot, so go early or on a weekday, and respect the residents’ signs.
- The creek is at its best after winter rain and runs low by late summer.
- Clean your shoes before and after to help stop the spread of dieback.
Quick facts
- Area
- End of Lewis Road, Forrestfield
- Distance and time
- 3.5 km, about 90 minutes
- Difficulty
- Moderate, with rocky descents
- Dogs
- Yes, on lead
- Pram
- No
- Toilets
- No
- Fee
- Free
- Best season
- Autumn to spring
- Official info
- City of Kalamunda
4. Cape Peron Loop, Rockingham
Best for: an easy coastal walk with a swim, a snorkel or a sunset at the end.
Why it made our Top 10
Cape Peron is a limestone headland in the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, about 45 minutes south of the CBD. The 2.2 km loop is easy and takes under an hour, passing sheltered bays, cliff-top views and old WWII gun emplacements. It’s the best year-round coastal walk on this list, and it works in summer because the water is right there.
What locals mention
Cape Peron is rated 4.7 from more than 2,100 Google reviews. Snorkelling and sunset views are the most-mentioned topics, followed by the coastline, dolphins and the walking trails. Reviewers often bring up the wind and a coffee van.
Things to know
- There’s almost no shade, and afternoon sea breezes can be strong.
- There are no toilets at the cape. The nearest are at the Point Peron boat ramp, which is a drive away. Parking is free.
- Stay on the path and away from the cliff edges, which are unstable, and don’t enter the old bunkers.
- Trails WA warns that snakes are active in warmer months.
Top 10 Perth tip
Time it for the hour before sunset, when it’s cooler and the light over the bays is at its best. Pack your snorkel for a swim first.
Quick facts
- Area
- End of Point Peron Road, Rockingham
- Distance and time
- 2.2 km loop, under 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Easy (Trails WA Class 2)
- Dogs
- Yes, on lead
- Pram
- Possible with help (Trails WA says it may suit assisted wheelchair users)
- Toilets
- No
- Fee
- Free
- Best season
- Year-round
- Official info
- Trails WA
5. Bold Park: Zamia Trail and Reabold Hill, City Beach
Best for: ocean and city views in one walk, 15 minutes from the CBD.
Why it made our Top 10
Bold Park is a large patch of coastal bushland between City Beach and Perry Lakes. The 5.1 km Zamia Trail loops through banksia and tuart woodland from the Reabold Hill car park, and a short ramp takes you to the summit lookout, one of the highest natural points in Perth’s coastal suburbs. On a clear day you get the ocean on one side and the city on the other.
It’s close, well signed and free, and dogs are welcome on a lead. The only thing holding it back is facilities.
What locals mention
Bold Park and the Reabold Hill lookout are both rated 4.7 on Google. The trails are the most-mentioned topic, then the ocean views. Reviewers describe the paths as well kept, with good signage, and note the gently sloping boardwalk up to the lookout (one warns it’s slippery when wet). Recent reviews say the Zamia Trail’s hills are steeper than people expect, and mention bandicoots, birdlife and snakes in summer. It’s one of the most-suggested walks on r/perth, where locals single out the ocean and city views in one panorama and the café nearby, and one warns there’s plenty of climbing.
Things to know
- There are no toilets and no drinking water in the park. The nearest toilets are at Perry Lakes Reserve.
- The Reabold Hill car park is small and opens 5.30am to 7pm from April to October, and to 8pm from November to March.
- Dogs must stay on a lead no longer than 2 metres.
Quick facts
- Area
- Reabold Hill car park, off Oceanic Drive, City Beach
- Distance and time
- 5.1 km loop, 1 to 1.5 hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate (short steep hills, some sand)
- Dogs
- Yes, on a lead of 2 m or less
- Pram
- Lookout ramp only
- Toilets
- No (nearest at Perry Lakes)
- Fee
- Free
- Best season
- Year-round, wildflowers in spring
- Official info
- Trails WA
6. Ellis Brook Valley, Martin
Best for: spring wildflowers, and a choice of an easy stroll or a steep climb from the same car park.
Why it made our Top 10
Ellis Brook Valley sits at the foot of the scarp near Gosnells, about 30 minutes from the city. The City of Gosnells says it has more than 500 wildflower species, and in spring it’s the best wildflower walk on this list. The Sixty Foot Falls Trail is a hard 2 km loop that climbs to the top of the falls and past the old Barrington Quarry, with views back to the city. If you’d rather not climb, the Blue Wren Ramble follows the brook through shaded wandoo woodland, 2.8 km return.
There are toilets, BBQs and picnic shelters, and dogs are allowed on a lead.
What locals mention
It’s rated 4.7 on Google. Hiking, the waterfall and wildflowers are the most-mentioned topics. Reviewers call it one of Perth’s best short hikes and say the falls trail is steep. One notes the falls aren’t wheelchair accessible, though the car parks, toilets and some paths are. It’s also one of the most-recommended walks on r/perth, including as an all-rounder for beginners and experienced walkers, and for dogs.
Things to know
- The gates open 6am to 7pm and stay shut on total fire ban days.
- Recent reviews say the falls trail has little shade, so avoid it in the middle of a summer day.
- Parking isn’t guaranteed at peak times in spring.
- There’s no drinking water and no bins, so bring water and take rubbish home.
Top 10 Perth tip
Go between mid-September and early November, which the City of Gosnells says is when wildflowers and wildlife peak. Locals on r/perth also suggest Sixty Foot Falls at sunset. Bring a torch for the walk down, and keep an eye on the time, because the gates close at 7pm.
Quick facts
- Area
- Rushton Road, Martin
- Distance and time
- 2 km (Sixty Foot Falls) or 2.8 km return (Blue Wren Ramble)
- Difficulty
- Hard (falls) or easy (Blue Wren)
- Dogs
- Yes, on lead
- Pram
- No
- Toilets
- Yes, composting
- Fee
- Free
- Best season
- September to November
- Official info
- City of Gosnells
7. Scarborough to Trigg Heritage Trail
Best for: beach and bush in one walk, with coffee and a swim at either end.
Why it made our Top 10
This trail links Scarborough and Trigg beaches with Trigg Bushland Reserve in three loops of roughly 7 km in total. You can do one loop or string them together. It’s the most flexible coastal walk on the list, and the easiest to pair with a swim, especially in summer.
What locals mention
Trigg Bushland Reserve is rated 4.5 on Google. Reviewers like having bush trails a short walk from the beach. Some note that parking is mostly on the street, and that snakes live in the bushland.
Things to know
- Most of it is exposed, and recent reviewers point to a hilly section with no shade, so go early on hot days.
- Parts follow the shared coastal path, where cyclists can be fast.
- The heritage signage has been reported as faded, so download a map before you go.
- There are toilets at Trigg Surf Life Saving Club.
Quick facts
- Area
- Scarborough Beach to Trigg Beach
- Distance and time
- About 7 km across three loops, about 2 hours for all three
- Difficulty
- Easy to moderate (hilly in the bushland)
- Dogs
- Usually kept on lead in the bushland (snake habitat)
- Pram
- Coastal path sections only
- Toilets
- Yes, at Trigg SLSC
- Fee
- Free
- Best season
- Year-round, early morning in summer
- Official info
- Friends of Trigg Bushland
8. Eagle View Walk, John Forrest National Park
Editor’s pick This is our editor’s favourite day out near Perth. He’s walked Eagle View, and it’s the trail he’d recommend to anyone who wants more than a quick loop.
Best for: a full day in the bush, 30 minutes from the city, with options for every fitness level.
Why it made our Top 10
John Forrest is WA’s first national park, and Eagle View is its signature walk. The full loop is 16 km of creeks, granite slopes, wandoo woodland and a lookout over the Swan Coastal Plain. Trails WA rates it Class 4 and allows five to six hours. If that’s too much, the Little Eagle loop is 8.8 km, Class 3 and takes up to three hours. Both are walked clockwise.
What makes it our editor’s pick is the rest of the park. On a shorter day you can do the walk to National Park Falls, the Wildflower Walk in spring or the new Glen Brook elevated walkway instead, and there are good cafés a few minutes away. It ranks eighth rather than higher because it’s long, exposed in summer and comes with a park fee, and it doesn’t allow dogs.
What locals mention
It’s rated 4.7 on Google. Reviewers mention the scenery, kangaroos and signage most, and say the track is well marked. Several recommend Little Eagle for a shorter day. Recent reviews praise the trail upgrades and say there’s plenty of (paid) parking. The entry fee draws complaints, and reviewers advise carrying several litres of water in warm weather. On r/perth, locals recommend John Forrest as a short drive with walks for every level, and say spring is the time for Eagle View, when the creeks are running and the wildflowers are out.
Things to know
- There’s a $17 vehicle entry fee ($10 concession).
- Trails WA asks Eagle View walkers to register before setting out and on return.
- No dogs. Pets aren’t permitted in national parks.
- The park is being redeveloped. The West Ridge car park and trailhead are new, the Scenic Drive is now one-way, and construction continues around West Ridge.
- There’s no café in the park while the new park centre is built (Parks and Wildlife expects it between 2026 and 2028), so bring food or plan around a stop on the way.
Make a day of it
Two cafés are a few minutes from the park in the neighbouring Hills villages. Both were closing in the early afternoon on the day we checked. The Hive in Darlington is rated 4.5 on Google, with reviewers often mentioning homemade food, the halloumi stack and outdoor seating facing the oval. Glen Forrest Gourmet is rated 4.6 and sits opposite the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail, and reviewers single out the friendly staff, cakes and old-style milkshakes. Check hours before you go.
Top 10 Perth tip
Do Eagle View between April and October and start early. On a summer afternoon it’s too long and too exposed. For wildflowers, Trails WA rates August to November as the best time for Little Eagle.
Quick facts
- Area
- Park Road, off Great Eastern Highway, Hovea
- Distance and time
- Little Eagle 8.8 km, up to 3 hrs. Eagle View 16 km, 5 to 6 hrs
- Difficulty
- Moderate (Little Eagle) or hard (Eagle View)
- Dogs
- No
- Pram
- No
- Toilets
- Yes, opposite the ranger station
- Fee
- $17 per vehicle ($10 concession)
- Best season
- April to October
- Official info
- Trails WA
9. Bells Rapids, Brigadoon
Best for: a short, free, dog-friendly river walk with a picnic after.
Why it made our Top 10
Bells Rapids is on the Swan River at the top of the Swan Valley, about 45 minutes from the city. Cross the footbridge and turn left for the easy River Walk, 2.5 km return along the rapids. Turn right for the Goat Walk, which climbs the hill for views over the valley and rejoins the river trail, 2.75 km in total. It’s free, has toilets and a picnic area, and dogs are allowed.
What locals mention
It’s rated 4.7 from nearly 2,900 Google reviews. Hiking and picnics are the most-mentioned topics, then the rocks and the river. “Water level” comes up often too, because the rapids depend on rain. Reviewers say Sunday mornings and school holidays get busy, and that the Goat Walk is the quieter option. Recent reviews say it’s best after rain, and one complains about the upkeep of the toilets. It also comes up on r/perth as a dog-friendly pick.
Things to know
- The rapids are at their best from July to November.
- The Goat Walk has steep, rocky sections that are slippery when wet.
- Trails WA says the trail isn’t suitable for prams.
Top 10 Perth tip
You’re close to the Swan Valley here. If the dog is with you, see our dog-friendly pubs and restaurants guide for a lunch stop.
Quick facts
- Area
- Cathedral Avenue, off Great Northern Highway, Brigadoon
- Distance and time
- 2.5 km return or 2.75 km loop, under 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Easy (River Walk) or moderate (Goat Walk)
- Dogs
- Yes
- Pram
- No
- Toilets
- Yes
- Fee
- Free
- Best season
- July to November
- Official info
- Trails WA
10. Herdsman Lake Loop
Best for: a long, flat walk with a pram, a wheelchair or a birdwatcher.
Why it made our Top 10
Herdsman Lake is Perth’s largest inner-city wetland, about 15 minutes from the CBD. The 8 km loop is flat, with a hardened surface and shaded sections, and Trails WA lists it as suitable for unassisted wheelchair users and prams. That makes it the best long walk in the metro area for families with little ones and anyone who needs an even surface.
What locals mention
It’s rated 4.6 on Google, and birdlife is the most-mentioned topic by a distance. Reviewers like how flat and easy it is with kids. The common complaints are the lack of toilets and flooding in wet weather, and recent reviewers note that one stretch runs beside a busy road.
Things to know
- There are no toilets on the loop.
- Unpaved sections can flood after rain.
- Trails WA says tiger snakes are often seen along the lake edge, and they come up in Google reviews too. Keep dogs on a lead and kids on the path.
Top 10 Perth tip
Walking with a toddler? Herdsman pairs well with the outings in our toddler activities guide.
Quick facts
- Area
- Heron Place car park, Lakeside Drive, Herdsman
- Distance and time
- 8 km loop, 1.5 to 3 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy, flat (Trails WA Class 1)
- Dogs
- Yes, on lead
- Pram
- Yes
- Toilets
- No
- Fee
- Free
- Best season
- Year-round
- Official info
- Trails WA
Walking in Perth: heat, fire danger and safety
Perth’s walking season is really autumn to spring. A few things are worth knowing before you go, especially from November.
- Start early in summer. Every walk here is better before 9am from December to March. Trails WA suggests carrying at least a litre of water per hour of walking on the longer trails.
- Check for closures on high fire danger days. Parks and Wildlife says trails and parks may close when the Fire Danger Rating is Extreme or Catastrophic, and Ellis Brook Valley’s gates stay shut on total fire ban days. Check Parks and Wildlife alerts and Emergency WA before driving to the Hills.
- Snakes are active in warm weather. Locals on r/perth report them out from late winter. Stay on the path, wear closed shoes and keep dogs on a lead.
- Clean your shoes. Dieback, a soil-borne disease that kills native plants, spreads on boots and paws. Brush off mud and stick to marked tracks.
- National parks don’t allow dogs. Whistlepipe, Lesmurdie, Ellis Brook, Bells Rapids and the metro walks here do, on a lead.
Also worth knowing
- Swan River Loop: a flat 10 km loop between the Narrows and Causeway bridges, with toilets and cafés along the way. It’s easy and central, but it’s a busy shared path with little shade.
- Noble Falls, Gidgegannup: an easy 3.6 km loop about 50 minutes from the city, with toilets, free BBQs, a playground and a seasonal waterfall. Dogs are allowed.
- Kitty’s Gorge, Serpentine National Park: a 15.8 km return walk from Jarrahdale to Serpentine Falls, and one our editor has done. It’s a great half-day hike, but it’s about an hour from the CBD, there’s a park fee at the Serpentine end (recent reviewers start from Jarrahdale to avoid it), it can be overgrown in places, and dogs aren’t allowed.
- Wadjemup Bidi, Rottnest Island: the island’s 45 km trail network, in five sections, is one of the best coastal walking experiences near Perth. It’s not ranked here because it needs a ferry.
FAQs
What are some good walks near Perth?
Within about 30 minutes of the city, Lesmurdie Falls, Whistlepipe Gully and Ellis Brook Valley are the best short Hills walks. For a longer day, Eagle View in John Forrest National Park is 16 km, or 8.8 km if you take the Little Eagle loop.
What is the best easy walk in Perth?
The Law Walk in Kings Park is the best easy walk for views. Herdsman Lake is the best flat option, suitable for prams and wheelchairs. On the coast, the Cape Peron Loop is 2.2 km and takes under an hour.
Where can I walk my dog in the Perth Hills?
Whistlepipe Gully, Ellis Brook Valley and Lesmurdie Falls allow dogs on a lead, and Bells Rapids allows dogs too. Dogs aren’t allowed in national parks such as John Forrest and Serpentine.
When do Perth’s waterfalls flow?
Usually from July to September, after good winter rain. Parks and Wildlife says Lesmurdie Falls is usually dry in summer and most of autumn. Ellis Brook and Bells Rapids follow a similar pattern.
By Jan de Waal. Information last checked October 2026. Trail conditions, fees and closures can change, so check the official links before you go.
