
The numbers are in, and AllTrails has revealed the most popular hiking trails in Australia for 2024. And one of them was right here in Melbourne. Less than an hour away from the city, in Warrandyte State Park, you’ll find the popular Mount Lofty Loop. This 5km trail was the third most popular hiking spot in the country. So, if you love going for walks in Melbourne, why don’t you stretch your legs and check out this lovely loop?
AllTrails – Popular hiking trails in Australia for 2024
According to AllTrails, Australian users have navigated a whopping 11 million kilometres via the app last year. Australia ranked third globally, both for the amount of time spent on the trail, and for kilometres walked per person.
The top tracks in the country were:
- Grand Canyon Track, Blue Mountains, NSW
- Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach Walk, Sydney, NSW
- Mount Lofty Loop, Melbourne, VIC
- Whistlepipe Gully and Lesmurdie Falls Loop, Perth, WA
- Enoggera Reservoir Circuit, Enoggera Reservoir, QLD
Mount Lofty Loop
Head over to Wonga Park in Warrandyte State Park, and take in the view with a trip around the Mount Lofty Loop. Also known as the Mount Lofty Circuit Walk, this 5km trail takes roughly 90 minutes to complete, and is filled with a few inclines and downhills, making it moderately challenging. But, the view is well certainly worth going uphill, as you can take in lovely sights of the surrounding hill, the Yarra River and the Yarra Valley.
Your journey begins at Wittons Reserve Carpark, and you can either turn left to journey along the Yarra River, or head right to walk through bushland.
As you make your way along the trail, you’ll likely see local wildlife, including kangaroos and wallabies. This hiking spot is also a popular area for birdwatching, so you might see some friendly ducks, herons, rosellas and kookaburras. Unfortunately, dogs aren’t allowed to tag along.
There isn’t a whole lot of shade on this track, so remember to wear a hat and put on some sunscreen. Pack a picnic to enjoy along the way.