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Move over treadmills – Melbourne runners are heading to the bush. In case you missed it, trail running is having a serious moment, with Aussies swapping flat bitumen for winding rocky tracks, lung-busting hills and the kind of scenery that makes you forget you’re technically exercising. If you need data to believe us – search interest in “trail running” has surged by more than 80 per cent since 2021, and TikTok is awash with off-road inspo.
Just as the trend hits full stride, AllTrails (aka the go-to app for outdoorsy types) has teamed up with sports tech brand Coros to make things even easier. Their new integration lets you beam routes straight to your watch for hands-free navigation and real-time stats – meaning less fumbling with your phone and more time pretending you’re in an ultramarathon documentary.
To help you put the tech – and your legs – to the test, AllTrails has spotlighted some of the best trail runs across the country. Lucky for us, a few of the standouts (including the overall fave) are right here in Victoria.
Donnelly’s Weir and Maroondah Dam
Set within the lush surrounds of the Yarra Ranges, this route is perfect if you’re easing into trail running (or just like your runs with a side of serenity). The wide gravel paths make for a relatively forgiving surface underfoot, and the scenery does a whole lot of heavy lifting to keep you distracted: towering forests, gentle river bends and postcard-worthy views across Maroondah Reservoir. You’ll pass the dam wall itself – a dramatic centrepiece – and there’s a good chance of spotting wallabies along the way.
Devil’s Kitchen via the Great Ocean Walk
If you like your runs with a bit of drama, this one delivers in spades. Carved into the wild coastline along the Great Ocean Walk, the trail out to Devil’s Kitchen serves up rugged terrain, salty air and uninterrupted views of the Southern Ocean crashing below. Expect undulating paths and the occasional technical section to keep you on your toes, but the real payoff is at the lookout: that famous series of jagged rock formations and cliff-top vistas that feel straight out of a nature doco.
Mount Lofty Loop, Warrandyte State Park
For something a little closer to the city (but still firmly in the wild), head to Warrandyte State Park. The Mount Lofty Loop is a favourite among local trail runners thanks to its mix of flowing tracks and punchy climbs. You’ll weave through dry bushland, dip down towards the Yarra River and climb back up to panoramic lookouts over the Yarra Valley. It’s a proper leg-burner in sections, but the varied terrain keeps things interesting, and wildlife sightings – kangaroos, birdlife, the occasional echidna if you’re lucky – are part of the deal.
AllTrails’ Top ten hikes for trail running across Australia:
- Donnelly's Weir and Maroondah Dam (Victoria)
- Kings Canyon Rim and Creek Walks via Cotterills Lookout (Northern Territory)
- Rawnsley Bluff and Wilpena Pound Lookout (South Australia)
- Cape to Cape Track: Cape Naturaliste to Smiths Beach (Western Australia)
- Devil’s Kitchen via Great Ocean Walk (Victoria)
- Wineglass Bay (Tasmania)
- Lake Burley Griffin Loop (Australian Capital Territory)
- Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk (New South Wales)
- Thorsborne Trail (Queensland)
- Mount Lofty Loop (Victoria)
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