05 Jul 5 Amateur Hikes to Enjoy in Perth this Winter

Looking for some amateur hikes enjoy in and around Perth this winter? We have you covered with these 5 places to help you get started exploring. Being a nature and adventure lover I’m always looking for an excuse to get outside and explore, hiking is a great way to immerse yourself in nature and get some exercise at the same time. 

Autumn, Winter and Spring are the best times to hike in Perth because of the cooler weather. However in the Perth hiking community people go nuts for a winter hike. For the cooler temperatures, lack of snakes and extra points if because most trails lead to a waterfall at the end of the road or along the way. Perth river beds dry up in summer so its lovely to see them flowing again in Winter.

There are plenty of amateur hikes to explore within 30mins – 60mins of the Perth CBD. Most of these winter hikes are within 1 hr of Perth so you can easily explore them on a weekend and be home for lunch. Or better yet, go to one of the local town centers for a nice warm pub lunch after your hike.

How do you know if you are an amateur hiker?

Yes, amateur. You don’t need to be a mad hiking enthusiast to benefit from the joys of hiking. You just need legs, decent shoes and a base level of fitness. If you are relatively unfit then just take it at your own pace, the more you walk/hike you will improve your fitness. Most National Parks will have shorter and longer versions of most trails so if you have a low level of fitness just make sure you pick the distance you can do. If you are a bit more of a seasoned hiker or above average fitness there you should have the endurance to tackle the higher grades, inclines or longer hikes.

Hiking and Trail Grades Explained.

Hiking trails are graded from 1-5, 1 being easy and have disability access like ramps and handrails all the way up to class 5 being the most difficult.

• Grade 1: Suitable for people requiring assistance or with a disability. Wheelchair accessibility, flat even paths, ramps and handrails where required.
• Grade 2: Suitable for young children and family. Usually short trails with compact surfaces, easy terrain and well signposted.
• Grade 3: Suitable for most ages and fitness level. Recommend some bushwalking experience. May include inclines, steps or difficult terrain.
• Grade 4: Experienced bushwalking and can include difficult terrain. Signage may be limites
• Gafe 5: Difficult long trails usually require self reliant navigation, rough terrain, steep inclines.

Here are 5 Amateur Perth hikes to try. 

John Forrest National Park – Greenmount.

Entry fee required $12 per car or free if you have an annual park pass.

Swan View Tunnel, Eagle View and Hovea Falls: This loop is a great 6.5km trail with some easy paths through the swan view tunnel, over Hovea Falls and then a proper hike through the forest to reach the Eagle View Lookout. Overlooking Perth it loops back through the forest back to the car park.

Class 3 allow 1 – 2 hrs 

Eagle View Walk: This not so amateur hike is 16 kms, it requires above level of fitness but is really well sign posted so if you are up for a more serious hike but still an amateur, this is the one. Start anticlockwise from the car park and enjoy the rewarding lookout and hovea falls towards the end of the hike.

Class 4 allow 3-4 hrs

Serpentine National Park – Serpentine

Just 50 mins sth of Perth. No park entry fee required.

Baldwins Bluff: This trail will have you rewarded with the view. It’s a 6km hike and requires a medium level of fitness because it is mostly an incline on rough terrain. It definitely had me huffing and puffing. Was well worth it though. You look down into Kitty’s gorge and you can also stop by Serpentine Falls at the end of the hike for a picnic.

Graded a 4 however i would disagree, the steep incline along rough surface is suitable for people of moderate fitness.

Allow 1 ½ – 2 hrs 

Kitty’s Gorge: If you are still an amateur but looking for a longer hike, Kittys gorge is a good one. There are multiple versions. Kittys gorge walk follows the river so can be accessible from serpentine falls or from Jarrahdale town. Or if you want to clock a few km and have a few hours to spend hiking then try the “kitty’s gorge via serpentine falls 20km loop trail. It is well signposted however long and includes varied terrain.

Class 4, allow at least 3-4 hrs

Mundaring National Park

Just 1 hr east of Perth. No entry fee required.

Noble Falls: A lovely 3.5 km hike to enjoy in winter when the falls are running. This is a class 2 trail, very easy going and just a general lovely stroll along the bubbling river through the bush. The falls are interesting because there are multiple steps to the falls. Be sure to get here early though because it does get busy.

Class 2

Allow 1 hr

Bells Rapids Park

Just 45 mins from Perth CBD. No park entry fee. Get there early, limited parking.

Bells Rapid Loop: There are 2 versions you can do. A short 3km version up the steep hill and take a left to follow the ridge the rings parallel to the Avon river. Or you can do the 7.5 km loop that takes you right at the top of the steep hill and loops back to join the shorter walk. The view from the top is stunning and worth the steep climb at the start. If you have some time to kill, head over the river on easter side for a short 3km walk to find the insta worthy spot at the bottom of the bells falls. 

Class 3

Allow 1-3 hrs (1 ½ short 2 ½ for the long walk)

Lesmurdie Falls National Park

Whistlepipe gully and Lesmurdie Falls: This is a great hike if you don’t want to drive too far. Lesmurdie is just 30mins from perth CBD and in winter this waterfall is raging. This hike is quite steep in some parts but well worth the wander. Walking part of the way along the whistlepipe gully is stunning.

Class 3

Allow 1-3 hrs

Hiking should be enjoyable. Personally I like to keep my hikes to less than 10kms, otherwise i start getting bored. I have done a few of the longer hikes however that is my personal experience. If you just want a nice bush walk stick to the shorter trails first to dip your toes in gently before you commit to a long arduous hike outside your fitness level. 

If you are looking for some hikes to do in the South West, try Bluff Knoll. It is a challenging however very rewarding hike. Read full review HERE. Or we can suggest some hikes in some of these National Parks in WA’s South West, HERE.

What to bring on your hike?

Being an amateur you might not want to invest in an expensive pair of hiking boots. All you need is some sturdy joggers with good grip. Always prepare yourself with some snacks (banana or a muslie bar) and enough water. Throw in a bandaid or 2 incase you slip or get a blister. 

If you are concerned about roaming around in the bush without a map there are plenty of app’s to assist you such as the ALL TRAILS app which can be used in areas that have no reception. Also a great app and website for trails in and around WA is the TRAILS WA website.

Final Thoughts. 

Go out and enjoy nature. Be sun smart and snake smart. Snakes will be active in early Autumn and mid to late Spring so if you are hiking in these warmer days be snake smart and keep a close eye out for any snakes trying to sun themselves on the trail.

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