14 Best Dog Walks & Hikes Sydney 2026

Sydney offers a huge array of beautiful bushland and coastal walks. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of dog-friendly walks around Sydney – check out some of our favourites below.

Best Dog Walks & Hikes Sydney Highlights

Wondering about taking your pooch for a stroll in Sydney? We’ve put together a few highlights from our favourite dog-friendly walking tracks.

• For a scenic coastal trail, try the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk with beautiful views of Sydney’s famous beaches.
• Enjoy the tranquility of the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail, an 8.4 km circuit track around Narrabeen Lakes in Sydney’s north.
• Explore the lush bushland and stunning views of Sydney Harbour at Balls Head Reserve and Carradah Park in Waverton.
• Take a leisurely stroll with your furry friend along the picturesque Glebe Foreshore Walk between Bicentennial Park and Bridge Road in Glebe, near the new Sydney Fish Market.
• For a peaceful and scenic walk in the heart of Sydney, visit Centennial Parklands with designated off-leash areas; keep your dog on a lead on the Grand Drive circuit.

When visiting any off-leash dog-friendly areas, always ensure you’re practising good pooch manners and only venturing into designated dog-friendly areas. Always pick up after your pooch and remember, if it’s not specified as an off-leash area, your dog will need to remain on a lead.

Berry Island Reserve

Dogs on lead are welcome in Berry Island Reserve and on the beautiful walking track which winds its way through bushland overlooking Sydney Harbour. Keep to the formal tracks and stay at least 10 metres from the playground.

There are picnic areas overlooking Sydney Harbour – a true Sydney experience. Bring some water for your pooch and take it easy while you enjoy the view.

Berry Island Reserve is a lovely option for a bushland walk close to the city. Check the council’s fox-baiting notices before heading out: dogs cannot enter during baiting and the associated exclusion period.

• Difficulty Rating: Easy
• Start Location: Shirley Road, Wollstonecraft
• End Location: Shirley Road, Wollstonecraft (circuit track)
• Distance: 1 km
• Time to Complete: 30 minutes
• Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas, parking available at the reserve
• Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XqeGBUyeAn9DEbAX6

Centennial Park

If you’re looking for a change from beaches and coastal walks then Centennial Park is a fantastic option. Featuring a 3.6 km circuit walk and designated off-leash areas, there’s plenty of space for your pooch to burn off some energy. Keep your dog on a lead on the Grand Drive circuit itself.

There are plenty of shady spots to sit and take it easy. Only let your dog off lead in the designated areas, and keep them out of ponds and wildlife-protection areas.

Centennial Park also features some fantastic facilities such as barbecue and picnic areas and a playground. Swimming and wading in the ponds and streams are prohibited, and dogs must stay at least 10 metres from playgrounds and barbecues.

• Difficulty Rating: Easy
• Start Location: Centennial Parklands, Paddington
• End Location: Centennial Parklands, Paddington (circuit track)
• Distance: 3.6 km
• Time to Complete: 1-2 hours
• Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas, BBQ facilities, parking available at the park
• Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BMHwDn9SRCJDi8Bc6

Glebe Foreshore Walk

The beautiful Glebe Foreshore Walk stretches from Bicentennial Park to Bridge Road in Glebe, near the new Sydney Fish Market. Dogs are allowed along this scenic foreshore track offering picturesque views of Rozelle Bay, the Anzac Bridge and the Sydney skyline.

This track is nice and flat, making it an easy walk, and has designated off-leash areas along the way. At Bicentennial Park in Glebe, dogs can be off lead west of the canal but must be on lead east of it. The playground is out of bounds.

Aside from great photo opportunities along the way, there are cafes and restaurants nearby. Finish with a stroll along the foreshore near the new Fish Market, without assuming your pooch can come into the food premises.

• Difficulty Rating: Easy
• Start Location: Bicentennial Park, Glebe
• End Location: Bridge Road, Glebe, near the new Sydney Fish Market
• Distance: 2.2 km
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas, cafes and restaurants nearby, parking available at Bicentennial Park
• Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bfSpfYYQRVv3TC83A

Barangaroo Reserve

If you’re after some green space close to the CBD, Barangaroo Reserve is the place to go. Keep your dog on a lead while you explore.

With a variety of Australian native plants, Barangaroo is a green oasis surrounded by city. There are great views across Sydney Harbour including views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney’s glittering skyline.

Barangaroo Reserve is a great option if you’re after a relaxing and picturesque walk with your dog close to the city.

• Difficulty Rating: Easy
• Start Location: Barangaroo Reserve, Sydney
• End Location: Barangaroo Reserve, Sydney (circuit track)
• Distance: 2 km
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas, parking available at the park
• Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PpyjFeQe1Mgi1Lky6

Sydney Park

Sydney Park is located in Alexandria – another great option for a walk close to the city. There are extensive off-leash areas for your pooch to explore.

Sydney Park features wetlands, lookouts and rolling hills, with barbecue and picnic areas and a play area for little humans. Dogs must stay out of the wetlands, Alan Davidson Oval, the cycling centre, playground and barbecue areas.

Definitely one of our favourite walks whether you live locally to Sydney Park or you’re visiting.

• Difficulty Rating: Easy
• Start Location: Sydney Park, Alexandria
• End Location: Sydney Park, Alexandria (circuit track)
• Distance: 4 km
• Time to Complete: 1-2 hours
• Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas, BBQ facilities, parking available at the park
• Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/w3Bf9b1a7faep9c37

Bicentennial Park

The large Bicentennial Park at Sydney Olympic Park is a favourite with locals. Dogs are welcome on a lead, with a designated off-leash area near the Bennelong Parkway pedestrian overpass.

With hills to explore, lookout points, barbecues and picnic areas as well as a playground, this park has plenty on offer. Dogs cannot enter Badu Mangroves or other signposted no-dog wildlife areas, so choose your paths accordingly.

Bicentennial Park is a great option for a walk with your pooch. Bring plenty of water and enjoy the open space while following the signs for dog access.

• Difficulty Rating: Easy
• Start Location: Bicentennial Park, Homebush
• End Location: Bicentennial Park, Homebush (circuit track)
• Distance: 4 km
• Time to Complete: 1-2 hours
• Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas, BBQ facilities, parking available at the park
• Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6aEtSXRApSix7Lor5

Cooks River Cycleway

The Cooks River Cycleway is a great option for a stroll with your pup. It forms part of the longer Bay to Bay Shared Pathway, which runs from Settlers Park in Ryde to Botany Bay. Ryde is not on the Cooks River itself, so choose a riverside section if that’s the walk you’re after.

With views of the Cooks River and plenty of parks, picnic areas and sporting fields along the riverside section, there’s plenty to explore. Keep your pooch on a lead on shared paths, follow signed exclusions and choose a distance that suits you both.

It’s definitely a track worth exploring with your pooch, whether you have time for a short stroll or a longer walk.

• Difficulty Rating: Easy
• Start Location: Settlers Park, Ryde, for the longer Bay to Bay Shared Pathway; choose a riverside entry point for the Cooks River section
• End Location: Botany Bay, Kyeemagh
• Distance: 23 km for the longer Bay to Bay Shared Pathway; the Cooks River section is part of this route
• Time to Complete: Allow time according to your chosen section and your dog’s fitness; the longer Bay to Bay route is a full-day undertaking on foot
• Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas, sports fields, parking available at Settlers Park and Kyeemagh
• Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EvssVpyfbyBJJstu8

Narrabeen Lagoon Trail

Located in Sydney’s north, the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail is an 8.4 km loop around the lagoon. The track is mostly flat, making it a good option for a stroll with your pooch, who must stay on a lead.

There’s plenty of wildlife and interesting flora to admire as well as a few picnic areas dotted along the track. Dogs are prohibited from some wildlife-protection areas, so follow the signs.

You can join the trail at Berry Reserve, Jamieson Park or Middle Creek Reserve. There are several places around the lagoon to stop for a picnic and take it easy.

• Difficulty Rating: Easy
• Start Location: Berry Reserve, Pittwater Road, Narrabeen
• End Location: Berry Reserve, Pittwater Road, Narrabeen (circuit track)
• Distance: 8.4 km
• Time to Complete: 2-3 hours
• Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas, parking available at various points along the trail
• Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Jcm2Z1iFMsApxGCV7

Lake Parramatta Circuit Walk

Lake Parramatta Reserve offers a choice of marked bushwalking tracks. It’s a beautiful bushland spot for a walk, with dogs kept on a lead throughout the reserve.

The Circuit Walk forms a loop around the lake. It’s a beautiful bushland track with uneven ground making it a little more of a challenge. Do not use the circuit when water is flowing over the stepping stones at the creek crossings.

There are barbecue and picnic areas as well as a designated swimming area and playground. For a human swim, stay in the designated area while lifeguards are on duty, check water conditions and avoid swimming for three days after heavy rain. Lifeguards are due to return on 24 October 2026, so this is not a swimming recommendation for an unpatrolled visit.

• Difficulty Rating: Moderate
• Start Location: Lake Parramatta Reserve, North Parramatta
• End Location: Lake Parramatta Reserve, North Parramatta (circuit track)
• Distance: 4.2 km
• Time to Complete: 1-2 hours
• Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas, BBQ facilities, parking available at the reserve
• Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3RjtC33jyxPqWdvV7

The Bay Run

Located in inner western Sydney, The Bay Run is a shared-use track which makes the loop around Iron Cove. It’s 7 km long, and dogs must stay on a lead on the shared loop.

There are plenty of parks and picnic areas along the way. It’s a great option for families or dog lovers alike and offers great views of the water along the walk.

The Bay Run is one of Sydney’s scenic walking tracks and it’s a definite recommendation from us.

• Difficulty Rating: Easy
• Start Location: King George Park, Rozelle
• End Location: King George Park, Rozelle (circuit track)
• Distance: 7 km
• Time to Complete: 1.5-2 hours
• Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas, sports fields, parking available at King George Park
• Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3ptmSpjUixymtr3H7

Balls Head Reserve and Carradah Park

Overlooking Sydney Harbour, Balls Head Reserve is a beautiful bushland reserve located in Waverton on Sydney’s lower north shore. This popular weekend walk provides magnificent views of the city, the Harbour Bridge and Sydney’s Opera House. Keep your dog on a lead on the formal bushland tracks.

Enjoy the bush tracks at Balls Head, with neighbouring Carradah Park offering paths, stairs and lookout platforms. The parks are connected, but a circuit of Balls Head does not have to include Carradah Park.

Balls Head Reserve is a true bushland gem and is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Check the council’s fox-baiting notices before visiting with your dog, as dogs cannot enter during baiting and the associated exclusion period.

• Difficulty Rating: Moderate
• Start Location: Balls Head Drive, Waverton
• End Location: Balls Head Drive, Waverton (circuit track)
• Distance: 1.5 km
• Time to Complete: 1 hour
• Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas, parking available at the reserve
• Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ij2sPyFLrHc8ePyU7

Manly to Spit Bridge Walk

Stretching from Manly Wharf to Spit Bridge, this popular Sydney Harbour walk features beautiful bushland and coastal views. The standard route enters Sydney Harbour National Park, where pet dogs are prohibited even on a lead, so you must use the council’s alternative dog route.

There are heaps of spots to rest along the way and scenic lookouts to enjoy. Follow the alternative dog route shown on Northern Beaches Council’s Manly Scenic Walkway map, keep your dog on a lead and stay off prohibited beaches and sensitive areas.

A challenging but enjoyable walk for you and your furry friend if you follow the permitted route. Check the council’s current access notices before setting out: its page lists a partial Castle Rock upgrade closure with a signed detour. A works detour is separate from the dog bypass, and the usual distance and walking time may not fit your route.

• Difficulty Rating: Moderate
• Start Location: Manly Wharf, Manly
• End Location: Spit Bridge, Mosman
• Distance: About 10 km for the standard walk; dogs must use the council’s alternative route around the national park, so check the dog-route map when planning your distance
• Time to Complete: 3–4 hours for the standard walk; allow for the alternative dog route and any current signed detours
• Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas, cafes and restaurants nearby, parking available at Manly Wharf and Spit Bridge
• Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6LXgegbQDbVUqCbaA

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

If you haven’t already done Sydney’s famous Bondi to Coogee walk, add it to your bucket list ASAP. With amazing coastal views, scenic lookouts, cafes and places to eat and rest along the way, this beautiful coastal walk is not to be missed.

Walk past beautiful beaches and along coastal cliffs with your pooch on a lead. This is a coastal path walk: dogs are prohibited on Waverley’s beaches and intertidal areas and on Coogee Beach. Follow signed exclusions around playgrounds and food-preparation areas too.

The Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is a great option for you and your pooch if you enjoy a coastal outing. Bring some water and take your time along the way.

• Difficulty Rating: Moderate
• Start Location: Bondi Beach, Bondi
• End Location: Coogee Beach, Coogee
• Distance: 6 km
• Time to Complete: 2-3 hours
• Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas, cafes and restaurants nearby, parking available at Bondi Beach and Coogee Beach
• Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FMtzr4NKabz9F3Bb9

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these walks and hikes suitable for all dogs?

Keep in mind some walks are challenging, so choose a track that is suited to you and your pooch. Check the distance and terrain before setting off, and bring plenty of water.

Are there any restrictions for dogs on these walks and hikes?

Before setting off, always ensure you know what areas are accessible to dogs. Some parks feature designated off-leash areas, while other areas exclude dogs altogether. Manly to Spit requires the alternative dog route around the national park, and temporary closures can affect access, so check the official rules and notices ahead of time.

What facilities are available at these locations?

Most parks and bushland tracks have toilets, but check beforehand to be sure. Some parks and bushland reserves feature barbecue and picnic areas and playgrounds; dog-access restrictions still apply around these facilities.

Can I access these locations using public transport?

Some tracks are accessible by public transport, while others may be easier to reach by car. Check your transport options before setting off.

Are there any cafes or restaurants nearby where I can grab a bite to eat?

Food options aren’t always available so it’s a good idea to take some snacks and plenty of water with you. It’s important to enjoy Sydney’s bushland responsibly – take out any rubbish and follow the local rules.