Hiking is hot right now in NSW. And by that we mean trendy, not necessarily temperature-wise. In fact, temperatures across the state are dropping, making way for prime hiking season – with the hiking masters at AllTrails reporting its highest number of navigations during the winter months. Wondering which route to tackle? The AllTrails team have crunched the numbers, and put together a definitive guide to the top five most popular winter hikes in NSW. Read on.
1. Grand Canyon Track (Blue Mountains National Park)
The most popular winter hike in NSW also took the crown for the state’s favourite hike of 2024. The 6.3-kilometre circuit takes hikers on a magical journey through the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park, passing gently cascading waterfalls, giant ferns and moss-covered rocky overhangs that look straight out of a fairy tale. While you’re in the area, we’d suggest checking out Australia’s most-Instagrammed waterfall, and winding down at one of the best day spas in the Blue Mountains. Got more energy to burn? Add one of these mountain hikes to your hit list. You can check it out on AllTrails here.
2. Spit Bridge to Manly Walk (Sydney)
This gorgeous coastal hike traces the northern edge of Sydney Harbour for 10 beautiful kilometres. Though it’s a popular summer hike (the route takes you to some of Sydney’s most stunning harbour beaches), it’s also a popular winter option, with AllTrails ranking it as the second most popular wintertime walk in the state. Taking around three hours to complete, with pretty-much uninterrupted views of Sydney Harbour, tackling the Spit to Manly walk is one of our favourite Sydney weekend activities. Hungry for a post-hike feed? You’ll find our guide to the best restaurants in Manly here, and you can check the walking route out on AllTrails here.
3. Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach Walk (Sydney)
Another Sydney favourite ranking high on the most popular winter hikes in NSW is the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. This six-kilometre trail ranked as the third most popular in the state for winter walkers. Easily-accessible from Sydney’s CBD, and taking in some of Sydney’s most famous beaches, this one’s on most people’s bucket lists when they visit Sydney, but it’s popular with locals, too. You can check it out on AllTrails here.
4. Lane Cove Riverside Walk (Sydney)
This 10.6-kilometre in Sydney’s Lane Cove National Park is a lesser-known option, but still popular with winter walking enthusiasts – with AllTrails ranking it as the fourth most popular winter walk in NSW. The moderately challenging track weaves through the bushland, tracing a stretch of the Lane Cove River. It’s a dog-free walk, but known as a very family-friendly hiking option, so a good one if you have kids in tow. You can check it out on AllTrails here.
5. Wattamolla to Eagle Rock (Royal National Park)
The final walk ranking in the top five winter hikes in NSW is a gorgeous 9-kilometre trail in the Royal National Park, just south of Sydney. The Wattamolla to Eagle Rock trail takes hikers along a scenic slice of the popular Coast Track (a 27.4 kilometre multi-day trail). Keen to join all the winter hikers getting their air in the RNP? We’d suggest packing your swimmers and leaving time for an icy dip at Wattamolla Beach once you’ve finished the hike. You can check it out on AllTrails here.
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