Trail running in Western Australia: where do you start?
Trail running in Western Australia gives you a lot to choose from: Banksia woodland ten minutes from the CBD, granite and jarrah on the Darling Scarp, and limestone cliffs on the South West coast. The hard part isn’t finding a trail. It’s knowing which one suits your legs this weekend.
This guide covers the best trail runs close to Perth, the Perth Hills, the Bibbulmun Track and the Cape to Cape Track, plus when to go, how to stay safe, what to carry and where to find a friendly group. You don’t need to be fast. Walking the hills is standard practice, even for people who’ve done this for years.
Information checked October 2026. Trail conditions, fees and event details change, so check the linked sources before you go.
WA trails at a glance
Here’s a quick comparison of the trails in this guide, from easiest to most committing.
| Trail | Where | Distance | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law Walk Loop | Kings Park | 3.7km | First trail run, city views |
| Valley Loop, Lesmurdie Falls | Mundy Regional Park | 3km | Short hills, waterfall |
| Zamia Trail | Bold Park | 5.1km loop | Sunrise run, ocean views |
| Railway Reserve Heritage Geotrail | John Forrest NP | 7.6km | Gentle gravel, easy grades |
| Kitty’s Gorge | Serpentine NP | 15.76km return | Waterfalls, rocky single track |
| Eagle View Walk | John Forrest NP | 15-16km loop | Bigger day on the Scarp |
| Cape to Cape Track | Leeuwin-Naturaliste NP | Up to 130km | Coastal sections, multi-day trips |
Best trail runs close to Perth
If you’ve only run on footpaths, start somewhere with firm ground, short loops and a car park close by. These three are all within about half an hour of the city.
Kings Park: Law Walk Loop
Kings Park and Botanic Garden covers 400 hectares next to the Swan River, just 1.5km from the CBD, and much of it is native bushland. The Law Walk Loop is a 3.7km easy trail with views over the city, the river and Matilda Bay, and wildflowers in spring.
The park’s unsealed paths are a good place to get used to uneven ground without committing to a long drive or a big hill.
Bold Park: Zamia Trail
The Zamia Trail is a 5.1km loop in Bold Park, Floreat, graded moderate. The surface is mostly hard gravel with some sandy sections and steep hills, and the climb to Reabold Hill gives you coastal and city views.
- Start: Reabold Hill car park off Oceanic Drive, City Beach (about 10 spaces), or the Camel Lake, Tuart and Banksia car parks
- Time: about 1-1.5 hours walking; less if you’re running
- Dogs: allowed on a lead
- Best at: dawn or dusk; wildflowers August to October
Lesmurdie Falls: Valley Loop
About 22km east of Perth in Mundy Regional Park, the 3km Valley Loop follows lower Lesmurdie Brook to the falls. It’s short but has rocky, uneven gravel and possible water crossings in winter (there’s a road alternative if it’s unsafe). Go between June and November to see the falls flowing.
Darling Scarp trail running in the Perth Hills
The Darling Scarp (also called the Darling Range) is the long escarpment that forms Perth’s eastern skyline. Its trails mix jarrah and marri forest, granite outcrops and creek lines, and they’re where most Perth trail runners go once they want proper hills.
John Forrest National Park
John Forrest National Park is Western Australia’s first and oldest national park, 24km east of the city. It has two waterfalls that flow in winter and spring and the 1895 Swan View Tunnel on the old railway line. Entry is $15 per standard vehicle ($8 concession), according to Parks and Wildlife Service. Dogs aren’t allowed.
- Railway Reserve Heritage Geotrail (7.6km, easy): wide, gentle gravel along the old railway formation. A good first hills-area run.
- Eagle View Walk (about 15-16km, difficult): a clockwise loop from the Ranger’s Office marked with yellow triangles, passing Hovea Falls with views across the Swan Coastal Plain. Best April to October. You need to register at the Ranger’s Office before and after.
Kitty’s Gorge, Serpentine National Park
Kitty’s Gorge runs between Jarrahdale Cemetery car park and Serpentine Falls car park along the Serpentine River and Gooralong Brook. It’s listed at 15.76km return, graded difficult, with granite, rocky sections, boardwalks and several waterfalls. It’s at its best after rain in winter and spring. Park entry fees apply if you start at the Serpentine Falls end.
Running the Bibbulmun Track near Perth
The Bibbulmun Track runs nearly 1,000km from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills to Albany on the south coast. You don’t need to go end to end. The northern Darling Range section, from Kalamunda towards Dwellingup, is where many Perth runners do out-and-back runs, and the Bibbulmun Track Foundation sells day walk map packs for every section.
The track is narrow, rocky and hilly in places, and campsites are spaced for walkers, not runners. Carry more water than you think, and tell someone your plan before you head out.
Coastal paths: the Cape to Cape Track
The Cape to Cape Track runs between the Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin lighthouses through Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park in the South West. Parks and Wildlife lists it at 130km. Walkers usually take 5-7 days, but there are plenty of access points for shorter runs.
Expect everything from flat sealed paths to steep rough track and soft beach sand, plus inland sections through Boranup Forest. Mobile coverage is limited in remote stretches, and the Margaret River mouth can be unsafe to cross in winter (there’s an inland detour to a bridge upstream). Dogs aren’t permitted. Avoid the hottest months and check fire danger ratings before you go.
When is the best time to go trail running in WA?
For Perth and the South West, the cooler months are best. Several trail guides recommend April or May through to October or November, when temperatures are lower, the waterfalls are running and the spring wildflowers are out.
In summer, run at sunrise, keep it short and check the forecast. On hot, windy days the Perth Hills can carry high fire danger. Check Emergency WA for Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Bans before you head out, and skip the bush entirely on extreme or catastrophic days.
How to stay safe on WA trails
Snakes
Dugites and tiger snakes live in Perth’s bushland. Hike West notes that spring and autumn are dugite hatching season, that sluggish snakes often bask on paths in winter, and that tiger snakes stay active year-round near water. If you see one, stop, then slowly back away. Don’t try to move it. Carry a compression bandage and a phone.
Phytophthora dieback
Dieback is a soil-borne water mould that kills jarrah, banksias and grass trees, and over 40% of WA’s native plants are susceptible. It spreads in mud on shoes. Trails WA asks you to stay on marked trails, avoid wet-weather walking where possible, clean your shoes before and after, and use hygiene stations where you see them. Their motto: “start clean, stay clean”.
The basics
- Tell someone your route and when you’ll be back.
- Download the trail map or GPS file before you leave; coverage drops in valleys.
- Carry water on every run, even a short one.
- Slow down. Trail pace is slower than road pace, and walking the hills is normal.
- For any niggles in your shins, knees or ankles, see a physio or GP before they get worse.
What gear do you need for trail running?
You can start in your road shoes on firm gravel trails like Kings Park or the Railway Reserve Heritage Geotrail. Once you move to the Perth Hills, trail shoes with more grip make a real difference on WA’s loose pea gravel.
A sensible starter kit looks like this:
- Trail shoes with a grippy outsole
- A hydration vest or belt with soft flasks for anything over an hour
- A cap and sunscreen, especially from October onwards
- A headlamp if you start before sunrise in winter
- A compression bandage and charged phone
You’ll find vests, flasks, headlamps and other running essentials in the Perth Running Clubs shop.
Trail running groups and events in Perth
Running trails with other people is safer and a lot more fun, and someone else already knows the turns. Two good places to start are listed in our Perth run club directory:
- Perth Trail Series runs colour-coded events: Green (4-6km), Blue (9-12km) and Black (12-16km). The Green course is “walk or run”, and you move up after three events at each level. The next summer event, Swissmurdie in Mundy Regional Park on Sunday 7 February 2027, costs $30 for Green, $60 for Blue and $97 for Black, per the event page.
- Manning Park Trail Runners is a local trail group in the directory; check their socials for current meeting times.
Upcoming WA trail events
- Perth Trail Series summer events: Qi Gong, Wungong Regional Park (6 December 2026); Wallygrunta, Walyunga National Park (3 January 2027); Swissmurdie, Mundy Regional Park (7 February 2027); Stay Puft, Yanchep National Park (7 March 2027).
- Feral Pig Ultra: Saturday 7 November 2026 on the Bibbulmun Track between North Bannister and Kalamunda. All adult distances are sold out; the Kids 5K was still open at the time of checking.
- Six Inch Trail Marathon: Sunday 20 December 2026, 46km on the Munda Biddi Trail from North Dandalup to Dwellingup.
- Margaret River Ultra Marathon: 8-9 May 2027 on the Cape to Cape coastline, with a kids’ 2km, 42km trail marathon and 80km ultra (solo or relay).
Trail running in WA: FAQs
Where can beginners go trail running in Perth?
Kings Park, Bold Park and the Railway Reserve Heritage Geotrail in John Forrest National Park are good first trails. They have firm surfaces, manageable hills and car parks nearby. Perth Trail Series Green events are also designed for first-timers and walkers.
Do I need trail shoes?
Not straight away. Road shoes are fine on firm, gravel paths. If you start running steeper or rockier trails in the Perth Hills, trail shoes give you better grip and protection.
Can you run on the Bibbulmun Track?
Yes. Many Perth runners use the northern sections near Kalamunda for out-and-back runs. Carry plenty of water, a map and a phone, and tell someone your plans, as the track is remote in places.
Are there snakes on Perth trails?
Yes, including dugites and tiger snakes. Watch the path ahead, give any snake plenty of room and back away slowly. Carrying a compression bandage is a good habit.
Do I have to pay to run in national parks?
Some parks charge vehicle entry. John Forrest National Park is $15 per standard vehicle ($8 concession), and fees apply at the Serpentine Falls end of Kitty’s Gorge. The Zamia Trail in Bold Park has no entry fee.
Find your trail crew
The easiest way to start trail running in Western Australia is with people who’ve already found the good trails. Browse the Perth run club directory to find a trail group near you, read more runner’s guides on our blog, and pick up a vest or headlamp in the shop before your first early start.