Walks in Adelaide stretch from the hills to the coast maximising the best the city has to offer and offering something for all fitness levels and itineraries.

Challenging climbs with views – tick. Wildlife sightings – tick. Whether it’s a bush trail, a gentle coastal meander with a coffee or a quick river walk during a city stay, there are ample opportunities to stretch the legs. We have all bases covered with this guide to the best hiking in Adelaide.

In short

If you only do one hike in Adelaide, make the short trip to First Falls at Morialta Conservation Park for guaranteed koala sightings.

1. Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty Summit

Where: Waterfall Gully Road, Burnside
Travel time from Adelaide: 35 minutes
Length: 7.8km return / 1.5-3 hours
Difficulty: Hard

For getting the heart rate up and a panoramic view of Adelaide and beyond, nothing beats a hike up Mount Lofty – the peak of the ranges. Start from the base at Waterfall Gully carpark and walk up through the stringybark forest dotted with camouflaged koalas to the Mount Lofty Summit.

It’s steep in sections but the views across the city out to sea make a thumping chest worthwhile. From here, extend the walk by joining the Heysen Trail or walk through native bushland to Cleland Wildlife Park.

It’s best to do this hike mid-week for a quieter experience on the trail or start early on weekends to beat the crowds and the heat during the warmer months.

2. First Falls, Morialta Conservation Park

Where: Morialta Conservation Park, Norton Summit
Travel time from Adelaide: 25 minutes
Length: 1.7km return / 45 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Tucked into the base of the Adelaide Hills on the edge of the eastern suburbs, Morialta Conservation Park is a rugged slice of bush that feels worlds away from the city – yet is only a short drive from the CBD. It’s an easy stroll to the First Falls, following Fourth Creek. Spot the many koalas hiding in plain sight in the canopy above and take a detour to Giant’s Cave.

The falls are best after autumn and winter rains, with water cascading thirty metres over the falls in an impressive display. When there’s more energy to burn, the full Morialta Falls Circuit takes in all three falls across 14km of spectacular gorge country. It’s easy to feel immersed in the bush here with no roads in sight and the noise of the city traffic far behind.

3. Hallett Cove Boardwalk

Where: Hallett Cove, Coastal Walkway Trail 
Travel time from Adelaide: 35 minutes
Length: 10.2km return / 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate

With the addition of coastal walkway bridges between Grey Gully and Kurnabinna Gully, this hike is now one of the longest along Adelaide’s stunning coastline.

While the entire Coastal Walkway extends from Marino to the Hallett Cove Headland, the Hallett Cove Boardwalk section is a mix of sealed pathways, dirt trails, boardwalks and stairs that provide a genuine workout – with beaches at either end to relax and recover.

Start with a coffee fix at The Boatshed Cafe in Hallett Cove and head north through the Hallett Cove Conservation Park to Kingston Park past rugged sea views and hopefully a dolphin sighting or two.

4. Riverbank loop

Where: River Torrens / Karrawirra Parri
Travel time from Adelaide: 0 minutes
Length: About 3.8km or just over an hour
Difficulty: Medium

Part of the longer Linear Park Trail that stretches all the way to West Beach, this picturesque section of the River Torrens is an easy, accessible walk right in the city and a great way to explore. Stroll down to the river while taking in a view of the Adelaide Oval and back to the landmark buildings on North Terrace. Dodge the ducks as the pathway winds past parklands, bush, cafes and restaurants, including Jolleys Boathouse. Along the way, explore the gardens, galleries and zoo, or jump on a Popeye River Cruise.

Walk down and back as far as the Adelaide University Footbridge for a brisk workout. To extend, cross over at the Adelaide Zoo on Frome Road and walk back on the other side up to the Torrens Weir and the green oasis of the famed parklands.

5.  Henley Beach to Largs Bay

Where: Henley Beach and Largs Bay
Travel time from Adelaide: 20 minutes
Length: 11.6 km / 5 hours return
Difficulty: Easy (but long)

The Coast Park Path runs all the way from Osborne to Sellicks Beach – a whopping 70km in total – but this flat, crowd-free stretch along the northern Adelaide coastline is hard to beat.

Start at Henley Beach with a coffee from Joe’s (and maybe some breakfast tacos too) and stroll north past Grange before veering onto the sand at the hidden treasure of Tennyson Beach, where houses enjoy front-door beach views.

Continue along to Semaphore for a swim and a laze on the grass or head up to Semaphore Road for lunch. From there, walk along the sand or the path to Largs Bay – another classic jetty suburb – and raise a well-earned glass at the Largs Pier Hotel to mark the end (or mid-way point) of a great walk. With train stops near Grange, Semaphore and Largs, it’s an easy trip from the city.

6. The Onkaparinga River Hike

Where: Onkaparinga River National Park, Chapel Hill Road Gate 15
Travel time from Adelaide: 40 minutes
Length: 4.2km return / 2.5 hours
Difficulty: Medium

Head south of the city to the Onkaparinga River National and begin this river hike from Gate 15 on Chapel Hill Road. The trail winds down through the park’s most intact stretch of native vegetation, beneath winding sandstone cliffs up to 30 metres high and along the edge of the permanent waterholes. The trail starts gently before getting steep in places.

Keep an eye out for wildlife like koalas, kangaroos and echidnas, and watch for birdlife. For those wanting to extend the adventure, the River Hike connects at its downstream end to the longer Gorge Hike, opening up a more serious day out for experienced walkers. The park also has a campground a short walk from the Gate 15 carpark, making an overnight stay an inviting option.

7. Waterfall Hike, Belair National Park

Where: Belair National Park
Travel time from Adelaide: 20 minutes
Length: 6.5km return / 3 hours
Difficulty: Medium

A scenic walk through South Australia’s much-loved and oldest national park which is popular for group picnics and families thanks to multiple ovals and a giant adventure playground. The Waterfall Hike is the most challenging in the park, starting from the Pines Carpark just 20 minutes from the CBD (or 35 minutes on the train).

The highlight of the descent is the atmospheric Echo Tunnel – a narrow, unlit stone passage beneath the Adelaide–Melbourne railway line. Beyond it, the trail climbs through stringybark eucalyptus woodland to the rocky escarpments that frame the upper and lower waterfalls, which are at their dramatic best after a good burst of winter rain. Or come in spring for the birdlife, ground orchids and wildflowers. The lookouts are unfenced, so tread carefully – but the views demand adding a stop.

8. Yellowtail Loop, Anstey Hill Recreation Park

Where: Anstey Hill Recreation Park, Tea Tree Gully
Travel time from Adelaide: 30 minutes
Length: 7.5km / 2.5–3 hours
Difficulty: Medium

A relatively unknown hiking option in the northern foothills, Anstey Hill offers a welcoming combination of ridge-top views, native wildlife and a touch of history. There are many walks around the park, but the Yellowtail Loop is a good option – winding past the ruins of Newman’s Nursery, through pink gum and long-leaf box woodland, and out to superb views over the Adelaide Plains.

Keep an eye out for western grey kangaroos, koalas, superb fairy wrens and the rare chestnut-rumped heath wren. The park also has eight mountain bike trails for those wanting to explore on two wheels.

9. Belair National Park to Eagle on the Hill

Where: Start at Belair National Park
Travel time from Adelaide: 10.3km from the CBD  20 minutes
Length: 18km one way / 3.5-4/5 hours
Difficulty: Medium–Hard

The first section of the 56-kilometre Yurrebilla Trail takes in the edge of Belair National Park, the tranquil gully of Brownhill Creek, and the open grassy hills and ridgetops of Waite Conservation Reserve – a diverse and pretty stretch of bush.

The climb up Brownhill is the workout, but the payoff is worth every step: sweeping views back over the Adelaide CBD in one direction and all the way down to the sea in the other. Towering gums, rolling open hills and a genuine sense of escape make this feel far further from the city than it is. Do it as a standalone day hike or use it as the launchpad for the full Yurrebilla Trail hike.