Tired of dodging crowds at Waterfall Gully? From quiet Hills hikes to leafy city escapes, these 13 trails will stretch your legs, boost your mood, and give you your nature fix without the parking hassle.
Spring in Adelaide is here. The air smells like eucalyptus and sunshine, the hills are green again, and suddenly sitting inside all day feels like a waste of a perfectly good planet.
And sure – the Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty trail is iconic for a reason. The waterfalls, the café at the top, that smug post-hike glow – it’s all great … until you’re dodging crowds, parking a suburb away, or spending more time overtaking joggers than enjoying the view.
The good news is Adelaide’s packed with other walks that deliver the same endorphin hit without the traffic jam in hiking boots. Walking anywhere – not just Lofty – is proven to lower anxiety, boost mood, improve sleep and strengthen your heart. Do it outdoors, surrounded by trees instead of treadmills, and the stress just melts away.
So if you’re ready for some new scenery (and an easier car park), here are eight great Adelaide hikes that trade Lofty’s crowds for calm trails and big views – plus five quick city escapes for when you just need to “touch grass.”
Eight great Adelaide walks that aren’t Mount Lofty
1. Onkaparinga River National Park – Gorge Hike
This is the hike for when you want to feel miles from anywhere – without losing mobile range. Just 40 minutes south of the city, it delivers sweeping clifftop views, rock pools and red-gum gullies that look straight out of a tourism ad. Expect steep climbs and a decent leg burn on the way back up.
- 6.1km / 4 hrs / Grade 4 (moderate–hard)
- Best for: weekend warriors chasing that endorphin hit – and a phone-free morning.
- Need to know: Toilets at Sundews car park; no facilities on the trail. No dogs. Bring plenty of water – shade is limited.
2. Sturt Gorge Recreation Park – River Trail
Underrated, rugged and surprisingly quiet, Sturt Gorge is like Lofty’s fitter younger cousin – just with fewer Lululemon sightings. The trail traces the river through cascading pools and peppermint gums, with rocky climbs that deliver a proper cardio payoff and an easy digital detox.
- 9.8km / 4-5 hrs / Grade 4 (moderate–hard)
- Best for: locals who want a genuine escape without leaving suburbia.
- Need to know: No toilets inside the park (closest at Craigburn Farm Reserve). No dogs. Sections can be slippery after rain.
3. Para Wirra Conservation Park – Devil’s Nose Hike
With a name like that, you expect drama – and this ridge walk delivers. The climb opens onto sweeping views of the Barossa Range, South Para Gorge and Misery Farm (which, ironically, is lovely). It’s a short, scenic hit of wilderness that doubles as low-key therapy (plus a great cardio workout).
- 3km / 1.5 hrs / Grade 4 (moderate–hard)
- Best for: people who like their fresh air served with a side of Barossa wine plans.
Need to know: Toilets at Gawler View picnic area near Lake car park. No dogs. Little shade – so not a hike for really hot weather.
4. Cobbler Creek Recreation Park – Porosa Hike
A hidden gem in the northern suburbs, this rolling trail winds through open grasslands, red-gum pockets and low ridges with big-sky views. It’s a peaceful, fitness-friendly walk that’s ideal for anyone easing into weekend-adventure-mode or craving a Sunday reset.
- 3km / 1.5 hrs / Grade 4 (moderate–hard)
- Best for: Sunday hikes that still feel like an escape.
- Need to know: Toilets at Cobbler Creek West car park. Dogs welcome on lead. Plenty of parking and shaded picnic spots.
5. Cleland National Park – Wine Shanty Hike
A steady forest climb through Cleland’s stringybark and blue gum woodlands guaranteed to get your lungs and legs working. This trail delivers sweeping city and coastal views without the Lofty chaos. Keep an eye out for koalas snoozing overhead and cockatoos calling through the trees.
- 10km / 4 hrs / Grade 4 (moderate–hard)
- Best for: regulars who love the view but not the crowd – or anyone chasing that “Hot-Girl-Walk-energy” without the onlookers.
- Need to know: Toilets at Cleland Wildlife Park and Summit car parks. No dogs. Take snacks and water – there are steep stretches.
6. Crafers to Mount Lofty Link Trail
Same destination, completely different energy (and route). This forested link starts across from the Crafers bus interchange and winds quietly up to the summit. It’s all crisp air and kookaburra laughs – less of a slog than the OG trail from Waterfall Gully, and with no selfie queues in sight.
- 4.9km / 2 hrs / Grade 3 (moderate)
- Best for: anyone chasing that summit smugness via public transport and a side of quiet self-care.
- Need to know: Toilets at Mount Lofty Summit car park. No dogs. Bring layers – it gets cool up top.
7. Anstey Hill Recreation Park – Yellowtail Loop
Part bushwalk, part birdwatching session. This loop climbs through open forest and old quarries (expect some leg burn), with wide plains views, some cool ruins, plus yellow-tailed cockatoos overhead. It’s popular with local dogs and their humans but rarely feels crowded.
- 7.5km / 2.5–3 hrs / Grade 4 (moderate-hard)
- Best for: a Sunday-morning reset that ends with a flat white (there are several top-notch cafés near the park, although none inside).
- Need to know: Toilets at Lone Pine car park. Dogs welcome on lead. Trail is exposed – take sunscreen and water.
8. Mark Oliphant Conservation Park – Skink Trail
A peaceful Hills forest walk through tall stringybarks and sheoaks, alive with kookaburras and the scent of damp earth after rain. The Skink Trail feels tucked-away and local – a quiet, cool escape for when you need a reset that doesn’t feel like a workout.
- 1.8km loop / 30 mins / Grade 3 (easy–moderate)
- Best for: first-timers, families or anyone chasing calm forest vibes and a Sunday-morning recharge.
- Need to know: No toilets in the park (nearest are at Stirling Oval). No dogs. Mostly flat, well-signed loop – sneakers are fine.
Before you go
Before you lace up, a few things worth knowing – because even the best hikes can go sideways if you’re not prepared.
- Check park alerts and fire danger before heading out – some trails close on high or catastrophic fire days.
- Pack the basics: water, sunscreen, a hat and sturdy shoes (even the “easy” walks can surprise you).
- Dogs: welcome in some recreation parks and on the Linear Park Trail, but not in most national or conservation parks – always check signage.
- Respect Country: these walks all take place on Kaurna Yarta. Walk gently, take your rubbish home, and leave the trails as you found them.
- Accessibility: several parks, including Glenthorne and sections of Linear Park, have pram- and wheelchair-friendly paths – check the Parks SA site for details.
Adelaide is built for walking
You don’t have to drive to the Hills to get your nature fix. Adelaide is basically a city inside a national park – wrapped in 900 hectares of green park lands, stitched together by the 47-kilometre River Torrens Linear Park Trail, and surrounded by bush and wetlands within half an hour.
It’s the kind of place where you can swap work shoes for sneakers at lunch and still make it back for your 2pm meeting.
So whether you need a lunch-break breather or a weekend reset, here are five easy places around Adelaide to “touch grass” – literally – and give your brain a scroll break.
5 more great walks in Adelaide
1. Adelaide Botanic Garden & Botanic Park / Tainmuntilla (CBD)
Wander through rainforest palms, waterlilies and shady fig trees without leaving the city. It’s an instant hit of calm and a reminder that your phone isn’t really the most interesting thing to gaze at.
- Best for: lunch-hour zen seekers.
- Need to know: Free entry, open daily. Toilets near cafés and visitor centre.
2. River Torrens / Karrawirra Parri Linear Park Trail
A choose-your-own-adventure path that runs from Athelstone to West Beach. Jump on anywhere for a quick 20-minute loop or go all in and walk coast to hills – it’s flat, leafy and doubles as a digital detox.
- Best for: after-work unwinds or weekend walks with friends.
- Need to know: Shared path, plenty of cafés and toilets along the route.
3. Oaklands Wetland & Reserve (Marion)
Boardwalks, bird hides and calm water views just off Marion Road. The loop’s flat and pram-friendly, and the ducks put on a show like they’re angling for sponsorship deals. Think of it as self-care you don’t need to schedule.
- Best for: family strolls or low-effort movement days.
- Need to know: Toilets, barbecues and picnic shelters on-site. Dogs welcome on lead.
4. Glenthorne National Park – Ityamaiitpinna Yarta (O’Halloran Hill)
Wide, gentle trails through new parkland with wildflowers and kangaroo sightings if you’re lucky. The huge nature-play area and shady picnic spots make it a perfect no-stress outing.
- Best for: weekend hangs with friends or kids in tow.
- Need to know: Toilets, water fountains and shade structures at the central hub.
5. Brownhill Creek / Wirraparringa Trail (Mitcham)
A shady creek-side wander under tall red gums just minutes from the suburbs. The sound of running water does things for your nervous system that your inbox never will. A classic for a reason.
- Best for: post-work decompression walks and end-of-day scroll breaks.
- Need to know: Toilets and picnic area at Brownhill Creek Tourist Park. Dogs welcome on lead.
Why walking makes you feel so good
You already know walking is good for you – but it’s hard to overstate just how good. It’s the closest thing we’ve got to a wonder drug, according to Harvard Health, with proven benefits for everything from stress levels to immune function.
A brisk 30-minute walk most days of the week hits the Australian guidelines for moderate physical activity, cutting your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and even some cancers.
It also strengthens your joints, helps you sleep better and boosts your mood – all without an expensive gym membership or a waiting list.
And you don’t need to be training for a marathon to get the payoff. Even short, consistent walks – ten minutes between meetings, a lap of the block after dinner – make a measurable difference to your fitness and mental health.
Why walking in nature makes you feel even better
Step off-road, and walking gets even better. Studies show that exercising in green spaces lowers stress hormones, blood pressure and heart rate faster than doing the same workout indoors.
Time in nature improves concentration, reduces anxiety and can even ease symptoms of depression. In other words, the more trees around you, the calmer your brain.
Walking outdoors is a rare overlap between science and TikTok wellness influencers: Basically everyone agrees on its benefits, whether they call it “nature bathing” or “mindful exercise”. It’s gentle, cheap, and proven to make you happier – which might explain why it’s quietly become the ultimate form of self-care.
So if your head feels crowded, your body’s stiff from sitting, or you just need to feel human again, go for a walk. Preferably somewhere green.
Want even more walking trail options? Find your nearest park to see what trails it has to offer.
