Kangaroo standing on cliff
Photograph: Tourism South Australia | Ben Goode | Deep Creek National Park
Photograph: Tourism South Australia | Ben Goode | Deep Creek National Park

The best hikes in and near Adelaide

Adelaide is a versatile little thing when it comes to walks, from idyllic coastal tracks to lush conservation parks

Caitlyn Todoroski
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Whether you’re looking for a leisurely sun-soaked stroll to fill your Sunday or are ready to embark on a testing trek to raise your adrenaline levels, Adelaide won’t disappoint. The CBD and its coastal fringe are home to kilometres worth of beautiful walks, while driving in a 1.5-hour radius from Adelaide’s centre will lead you to all sorts of botanical fun.

Our local writers have rounded up the best walks in Adelaide and beyond that wander along waterfalls, coastlines, seaside towns and summits. Our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, recommends the Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty trail (warning: it's not easy) and is eager to tick off the Hallett Cove Boardwalk next. What about you?

☕️ The best cafés to refuel at post-hike
🥾 The best hikes in Australia
🌳 All the best things to do in Adelaide

Best hikes in Adelaide

1. Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty Summit Hike

Saying you’ve conquered the Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty summit is kind of an Adelaidean rite of passage. The path on this walk is sealed, but don’t let that trick you into thinking you're in for an easy ride. The very steep hike will have you breaking a sweat, but the views at the top are worth it. To sweeten the deal, there’s also food and drink available at The Summit Café. It's not the city’s most popular hike for nothing. 

Where: Starts at Waterfall Gully car park, Cleland Conservation Park
Drive time from CBD: 20 mins
Distance (return): 7.8km
Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins
Difficulty: Moderate

Caitlyn Todoroski
Caitlyn Todoroski
Branded Content Writer

2. First Falls and Giant’s Cave via Morialta Falls Road

This quick and easy walk is a great way to spot some adorable Australian fauna. Despite it being a fairly well-trodden path, you might run into some kangaroos or koalas. The elevation is gentle, so you won’t need to work too hard to get to the stunning waterfall at the end of the track. How’s that for having your cake and eating it too. The start of the trail is home to a car park for easy access. 

Where: Starts from car park at end of Morialta Falls Rd, Morialta Conservation Park
Drive time from CBD: 20 mins 
Distance (return): 3.9km
Duration: 1 hr
Difficulty: Easy

Caitlyn Todoroski
Caitlyn Todoroski
Branded Content Writer
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When you just don’t feel like getting down and dirty, the boardwalk of the Marion Coast walking trail will keep those shoes away from mud and bushland. Swap out the greenery for the blue of SA’s rugged coastline. The path winds all the way through many a gully, so be prepared for steps, and lots of them. If it’s a good cardio sesh that you’re seeking, Hallett Cove is waiting for you. 

Where: Starts from Burnham Road, Marino Esplanade, Hallett Cove
Drive time from CBD: 30 mins 
Distance (one way): 5.1 km
Duration: 1 hr
Difficulty: Moderate

Caitlyn Todoroski
Caitlyn Todoroski
Branded Content Writer

Whether it’s your intention or not, you'll be taking a digital detox here: cell phone reception is limited. If anything, that marks the sign of a promising walk. The path is a steep one but it'll bring you from the lowest of creeks and waterfalls to the highest of perches for views out across blue waters as far as the eye can see. Rest assured that the Fleurieu Peninsula looks just as magical as it sounds. If you’re not feeling up to 12 whole kilometres of ups and downs, the track splits up into four smaller sections for your hiking pleasure. 

Where: Starts from Trig Picnic Area or Tapanappa Ridge Lookout, Deep Creek National Park
Drive time from CBD: 1 hr 45 mins 
Distance (return): 12km
Duration: 5 hr
Difficulty: Hard

Caitlyn Todoroski
Caitlyn Todoroski
Branded Content Writer
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Want to take a guess at how many waterfalls you’ll pass on this circuit? If you said three, well, gold star to you. The aptly named Three Falls Grand Hike hugs the edge of the gorge at Morialta Conservation Park, making for some pretty sublime eye candy. To make things nice and easy, you can get here via the Adelaide Metro Bus, but there are also two car parks along the way.

Where: Starts from top car park at end of Morialta Falls Road, Morialta Conservation Park
Drive time from CBD: 25 mins
Distance (return): 7.3km
Duration: 3.5 hrs
Difficulty: Moderate

Caitlyn Todoroski
Caitlyn Todoroski
Branded Content Writer

6. Coast Park Path (Adelaide Coastal Walk)

The whole Adelaide Coastal Walk spans 70 kilometres, so we’re not going to send you packing (unless your boots are made for walking, that is). The walk can be broken up into a plethora of different stops between towns, but we’re claiming the Henley Square to Glenelg route as our top pick. Not only do both seaside towns feature on our best beaches in Adelaide list, but the walk is dotted with charming eateries, historic sites, wind turbines, and it’s pretty easy on the eye too. Catch the bus from Adelaide to Henley Beach and spend your day meandering back to Glenelg. 

Where: Starts at North Haven or Sellicks Beach
Drive time from CBD:
20 mins
Distance (one way): 7.1km
Duration: 1 hr 30 mins
Difficulty: Easy

Caitlyn Todoroski
Caitlyn Todoroski
Branded Content Writer
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This nifty five-kilometre walk is just one of many in Onkaparinga River National Park. While this one looks out over the breathtaking Onkaparinga Gorge, other walks traipse through waterholes and get you right up and close with the gorge action. Hot tip: try to visit this one in the warmer months or you might risk parts of the track being submerged in water. 

Where: Starts at Gate 11 car park on Piggott Range Road, Onkaparinga River National Park
Drive time from CBD: 40 mins 
Distance (return): 5km
Duration: 1 hr 30 mins
Difficulty: Moderate

Caitlyn Todoroski
Caitlyn Todoroski
Branded Content Writer

If you want, you could call this nice long journey between Aldgate and Mylor the Aldgate Valley Nature Walk. Or you could more adorably refer to it as the ‘Valley of the Bandicoots’. The undulating path through multiple nature reserves might just bring you face to face with, you guessed it, some little southern brown bandicoots, or kangaroos, koalas and echidnas. 

Where: Starts at Mylor Parklands or at intersection of Mount Barker and Strathalbyn Roads in Aldgate
Drive time from CBD:
30 mins 
Distance (return): 14km
Duration: 3.5 km
Difficulty: Moderate 

Caitlyn Todoroski
Caitlyn Todoroski
Branded Content Writer
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This circuit can be done in either direction: some say if you go clockwise, you’ll make the incline easier on yourself, but most say to opt for anticlockwise, getting the steep section done early on so you don’t need to climb down the rocks later. Your efforts will be rewarded with panoramic views over Adelaide Plains.

Where: Starts at end of Addison Avenue, Black Hill Conservation Park
Drive time from CBD: 30 mins
Duration (return): 4.2km
Duration: 2 hrs
Difficulty: Hard

Caitlyn Todoroski
Caitlyn Todoroski
Branded Content Writer
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