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When it comes to hiking trails, residents of NSW are spoilt for choice. From spectacular clifftop tracks and rainforest rambles to magical waterfall circuits in the Blue Mountains, there are thousands of tracks waiting to be explored every weekend. But if you’re over battling selfie sticks on the Grand Canyon Track or the Bondi to Coogee Walk, we hear you – and so do the good people from AllTrails.
To help us explore the lesser-known pockets of our great outdoors, the team behind the popular hiking app have revealed Australia's top "hidden gem" hikes – trails that have earned outstanding reviews while remaining relatively under the radar. The rankings are based on a simple formula: high ratings paired with low foot traffic, meaning you'll have a better chance of swapping overheard-in-Tamarama gossip for uninterrupted birdsong.
And according to Dr Hackenmiller, chief medical advisor at AllTrails, seeking out these lesser-known walks is good for more than just your Instagram feed.
"There are mental and physical benefits that can come from finding a hidden gem," says Dr Hackenmiller. "When we can find awe and wonder and joy in our own backyard – seeing a new animal or insect, taking time to smell the fragrance of a flower, listening to the intricacies of birdsongs – it can be that much more exciting to realise these things are in our midst."
Ready to take the scenic route? Here are NSW's top hidden gem hikes according to AllTrails.
Terrace Falls Loop
If your perfect hike involves waterfalls, fern-flanked paths and a post-hike dip, Terrace Falls Loop deserves a spot on your weekend hit list. Hiding in the hills near the adorably named Blue Mountains town of Hazelbrook, this peaceful circuit links a series of cascading waterfalls and secluded swimming holes that feel worlds away from Sydney. It's an easy choice for anyone looking to escape into nature without straying too far from the city.
How long? 4.3 kilometres (around 1 hour 30 minutes)
Distance from Sydney? Around a 90-minute drive
Otford Lookout via Bulgo Hill
Perched on the edge of the Royal National Park, this coastal bushwalk delivers some of the state's most rewarding ocean views without the crowds of the Coast Track. Winding through towering eucalypt forest before opening onto sweeping clifftop vistas, the trail is a reminder of just how wild Sydney's southern fringe can feel. Keep your eyes peeled for whales during migration season, and don't forget your camera – the outlook is worth every step.
How long? 10 kilometres (around 2 hours 40 minutes)
Distance from Sydney? Around a 1-hour drive
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