Save 10% when you book direct
Plus enjoy complimentary parking and flexible cancellation
Plus enjoy complimentary parking and flexible cancellation
Looking for the best walking trails in Canberra? From easy walks around Lake Burley Griffin to challenging hikes through Namadgi National Park, Canberra has walking trails for every fitness level. Here are some of our top picks for the best Canberra walks to explore during your stay.
If you're after picture-perfect views over Canberra, look no further than Mount Ainslie to take in impressive views over the city, Lake Burley Griffin and the surrounding mountains. Also known as the Kokoda Memorial Trail, the Mount Ainslie Summit Trail begins behind the Australian War Memorial in Remembrance Park.
The moderate, mostly sealed track includes steep sections, steps and uneven ground as it climbs approximately 250 metres to the summit. The path winds through woodlands, where you're likely to encounter a rosella or two, which are very common to the area. Allow around 1.5 hours to complete the 4.5km return walk.
One of Canberra’s most popular inner-city walking routes, the Bridge to Bridge at Lake Burley Griffin is beautiful at any time of the day. The 5km loop around the Central Basin connects Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and Kings Avenue Bridge, taking in some of Canberra’s best-known landmarks and waterfront scenery.
This walk is generally easy, with the steepest parts being the steps heading up to the first bridge, and it will take you roughly 1 to 1.5 hours at a leisurely pace. There are several places to join the loop, making it an easy walk to tailor to your day.
For stunning views and a moderate walk, you can’t look past the Red Hill Nature Reserve. One option is the Red Track, a 3.2km loop that explores the reserve’s natural and cultural heritage. Allow around an hour to complete the walk, which includes some steep sections and rocky, uneven surfaces.
Situated between Torrens and Kambah, Mount Taylor offers panoramic views across southern Canberra and towards the mountain ranges to the south and west. At 856 metres above sea level, it’s the highest southside hill within easy reach of Kambah, Chifley, Pearce and Torrens.
The most popular summit track starts from Sulwood Drive, opposite Mannheim Street. It begins gently before becoming steeper towards the summit, with benches along the way where you can stop and enjoy the views. The return walk is just over 2km and climbs approximately 180 metres.
The majority of this walk is uphill, but the path is concreted and/or tarred and will take between 45 minutes and 1 hour.
The National Arboretum Canberra offers more than 20km of multi-purpose walking and cycling tracks through its forests and gardens, with options ranging from easy strolls to more challenging routes.
The Himalayan Cedar Track is a moderate 2.1km return walk that starts near the Pod Playground and passes through several forests before reaching the Himalayan Cedar forest. Allow approximately one hour to complete the walk.
Another option is the Dairy Farmers Hill Track, a 2.3km return, moderate walk leading to one of the Arboretum’s most recognisable viewpoints. Starting from the Events Terrace, the circuit travels through nine forests and offers fantastic views on the way to the Dairy Farmers Hill viewing platform. For something easier, the STEP Track is a 1km return walk, while the Explorer Track offers a longer 7.2km return route.
Just one of the fantastic hikes on offer in Namadgi National Park, the Yerrabi Track packs plenty of variety into its 4km return route. The track climbs slowly but is mostly made of rock, so can be slippery at times. It passes through dry and wet forest, swampy grassland, black sallee woodland and granite formations before climbing to the summit of Mount Boboyan.
If you're keen to take your journey further, continue beyond the summit to the huge granite tors where you'll witness a stunning natural rock formation and impressive views towards the Bimberi Wilderness. The track is currently classified as Grade 4 and takes approximately 2 hours to complete.
The walk begins from Boboyan Road in Namadgi National Park. Check current road and track conditions before setting out, as access conditions in Namadgi can change at short notice.
Yet another hike within the Namadgi National Park, the Booroomba Rocks hike is one not to be missed. The shorter route begins at Booroomba Rocks car park and follows a 2.5km return track through tall forest to spectacular granite cliffs and expansive views. Allow approximately 1.5 hours to complete the walk.
The track includes steep sections and exposed cliff edges, and a moderate level of bushwalking experience is recommended. Booroomba Rocks Road is unsealed and generally suitable for 2WD vehicles in dry conditions, but access can change at short notice.
For a longer hike, you can also walk from Honeysuckle Campground to the top of Booroomba Rocks, an 11.5km return journey taking approximately 5.5 hours.
In the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Gibraltar Peak is one of the most popular hikes in the Canberra region. Starting at the Dalsetta car park in the Reserve, the challenging 8.2km return trail climbs roughly 320 metres through grassland and forest to the summit. Allow between three and four hours for the return walk.
Bushwalking experience is recommended, as the track is long, rough and very steep in places. On a clear day, the effort is rewarded with impressive views from the summit.
If you are after a short yet stunning walk, look no further than Shepherd’s Lookout. Located on the edge of Belconnen, the lookout is the ACT’s northernmost viewing point of the Murrumbidgee River. The walk from Stockdill Drive to Shepherd’s Lookout is an easy 1.2km return route, taking approximately 45 minutes.
The walking tracks to Shepherd’s Lookout are accessible from Stockdill Drive, around 3km south-west of Ginninderry.
The Canberra Centenary Trail is a 138km shared-use loop for walkers, runners and cyclists, showcasing urban and rural Canberra as well as some of the capital’s best-known attractions and natural landscapes. An additional 10km of feature walks offer scenic detours from the main loop.
This trail loops around all of Canberra, swooping up towards the NSW border and all the way down to the Murrumbidgee, and winding its way in and out of the city, which means there's plenty of opportunity to stop off at a nice cafe for lunch.
You certainly don’t need to complete the whole trail at once. It's divided into seven sections and can easily be explored in smaller pieces. If you only have a few hours, shorter options include the 9km return One Tree Hill Summit walk, the 6km return Kambah Pool to Red Rocks Gorge Lookout walk and the 8km Mount Ainslie Loop.
After exploring some of the best walking trails in Canberra, Avenue Hotel offers a premium, centrally-located base to relax and recharge. Located in Braddon on the edge of Canberra's CBD, the hotel makes a convenient base for exploring the city's walking tracks, nature reserves and major attractions.
Several popular walks are within easy driving distance; Mount Ainslie is around a 13-minute drive from Avenue Hotel, while Lake Burley Griffin, Red Hill Nature Reserve and the National Arboretum are also easily accessible by car from the hotel. For longer adventures in Namadgi National Park or Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Avenue Hotel provides a comfortable central base to start and finish your day.
Travelling between Canberra's walking trails is even easier when you book direct to enjoy 10% off our best available rate and complimentary secure undercover parking, so you can keep your car conveniently onsite and set off for your next walk when you're ready.
Explore our accommodation options here to find what suits your stay best.
