Looking to escape the city and challenge yourself with a serious hiking adventure? Stretch your legs, and your horizons with a long hike in the Perth Hills! A diverse choice of long-distance trails meander through the Perth Hills, each showcasing the bushland region’s stunning landscapes. From challenging half day hikes to overnight treks and multi-day adventures, here are ten trails that will satisfy your wanderlust and test your endurance.
Moderate Perth Hills Meanders
Wungong Gorge Trail, Wungong – 11km return.
Wungong Regional Park offers a perfect introduction to longer hikes. Follow the Wungong Brook upstream, through a deep valley packed with nature. Taking 3 to 4 hours to complete, this half day hike rewards walkers with spectacular views of the Gorge and diverse native flora. Its moderate difficulty makes this trail accessible for reasonably fit hikers, while the varied terrain keeps things interesting. The trail leads to the lower parking area at Wungong Dam, a good place to pause. Look out for stunning granite outcrops, spring wildflowers and the peaceful sounds of the Wungong Brook as you navigate this scenic spot. Find out more here.
Perth Hills Discovery Centre to Golden View Lookout – 12.4km return
Want to trek a small bite of the Bibbulmun Track? A good section to enjoy part of this iconic trail, is found close to the equally iconic Mundaring Weir. Beginning at the Perth Hills Discovery Centre, walk over the Weir wall to the well-marked trail. Classified as easy to moderate, this section of trail is perfect for hikers looking to build their hiking endurance. The highlight is reaching the Golden View Lookout (also known as South Ledge Lookout), where panoramic vistas of Beelu National Park and Mundaring Weir make your efforts worthwhile. Be sure to pack a picnic to enjoy at the lookout, before heading back. Find out more here.
Eagle View Walk Trail, Hovea – 14.8km loop
John Forrest National Park’s longest loop is one of Perth’s premier day hikes. The trail winds through diverse habitats including jarrah forest, heathlands, and along babbling winter creeks. Love a challenge? You’ll need good fitness and navigation skills as you make steep climbs, but the stunning views across the coastal plain to the city skyline are absolutely worth it. Keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos, plenty of birdlife and you may even be lucky enough to spot a soaring wedge-tail eagle. Find out more here.
Long Walks in the Perth Hills
Numbat Trail, Gidgegannup – 12km loop
At first glance, Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary’s 12km trail may not seem like a big challenge. What you need to know before embarking on the Numbat Trail is there are a lot of steep steps, hundreds in fact! The nature reserves limits visitor numbers, making for a peaceful hiking experience. Found in the northernmost part of the Perth Hills, the trail follows the contours of the Avon Valley. What really makes this trail special is the chance to spot abundant native wildlife, including wallabies and echidnas. Sweeping views of Paruna Gorge and winter cascades create an immersive bushwalking experience that feels far removed from city life. Find out more here.
Kitty’s Gorge Walk Trail – 17km return.
This Serpentine National Park showstopper follows Gooralong Brook and the Serpentine River. Kitty’s Gorge Walk Trail is popular for a reason – spy impressive granite outcrops, winter waterfalls, and lush vegetation. The trail is particularly spectacular during wildflower season (late winter to mid-spring) when the lush landscape bursts with colour. The moderate to difficult rating comes from a few steep, gravel climbs. A stop at Serpentine Falls, plus the natural beauty of Kitty’s Gorge Trail, makes every step worthwhile. Find out more here.
Sullivan Rock to Mt Cooke – 18.4km return.
This spectacular hike along a section of the Bibbulmun Track takes you to the highest point in the Darling Range. Starting at Sullivan Rock, you’ll traverse granite outcrops and wander through beautiful jarrah forest before reaching the summit of Mt Cooke (an impressive 582m). The panoramic views from the southern side of the peak are simply breathtaking, especially at sunrise or sunset. While challenging due to some steep sections and the distance, this trail rewards hikers with one of the most memorable day hikes in the Perth Hills region. Find out more here.
Railway Reserves Heritage Trail – 41km Loop
The gentle slopes of this historic trail follow the path of the old Eastern Railway, offering a fascinating blend of nature and fun historical facts. While the full loop is challenging, you can easily tackle it in smaller sections, if you’re not ready for the full day adventure. The trail passes through several charming villages including Mundaring’s town centre, Glen Forrest, Mount Helena and Darlington, with plenty of opportunities to stop for a break at old pubs and cosy cafes. The north-west section also passes through John Forrest National Park, giving hikers an option to take a walk through the supposedly haunted Swan View Tunnel. The gradual gradients of the old railway make this an accessible long-distance option. Find out more here.
Multi-Day Hikes in the Perth Hills
Kep Track, 75km
Part of the epic multi-use Kep Track passes through the Mundaring region. Following the route of the old Eastern Railway and water pipeline from Mundaring Weir to Northam, this is a popular trail on two wheels. Walking the historic trail over several days allows you to truly appreciate the changing landscapes from the Perth Hills forest to farmland. The gentle gradients make it accessible for most fitness levels, and the trail is well-marked with interpretive signage highlighting the region’s rich history. Why not take a smaller bite, walking east towards Wooroloo? Find out more here.
Kattamorda Heritage Trail – 30km one way.
The 30km KattaMorda Heritage Trail, between Mundaring and Bickley Reservoir, offers a perfect weekend hiking adventure. KattaMorda, means escarpment/Darling Range in the local Whadjuk Noongar language. Following single track through native bushland, the trail also highlights the logging history of the area with the old 1800s Timber Tramway Bridge and includes picnic spots to rest at The Dell and Mundaring Weir. The moderate difficulty comes from steep terrain and limited facilities, making it ideal for hikers looking to test their skills on a shorter multi-day adventure. Find out more here.
Bibbulmun Track – 1000 km one way.
We saved the most epic trail for last! The iconic Bibbulmun Track is Western Australia’s premier long-distance walking trail, stretching 1000km from Kalamunda to Albany. The Perth Hills section offers an accessible taste of this impressive journey, with well-maintained campsites spaced a day’s walk apart. Starting in Kalamunda, you’ll traverse beautiful jarrah forests, cross cascading creeks, and enjoy spectacular views. This multi-day adventure is perfect for those looking to experience overnight hiking with the convenience of trail towns along the way. Find out more here.
Whichever challenging trail you choose to tread, you’ll be sure of an unforgettable day in the Perth Hills.