Adelaide's Top Walking Trails Rated by Distance and Difficulty

Adelaide Linear Park offers a 50km continuous path from the city centre to the foothills that ranks as the longest low-gradient route in the metro area.

July marks peak interest in outdoor routes after the June Telstra outage stranded residents indoors for days and left many seeking reliable free exercise near home. Local councils report steady foot traffic on paved trails even on cooler mornings when temperatures sit around 10 degrees.

Two established spots draw consistent use. The River Torrens section of Linear Park runs from Bonython Park near the Adelaide CBD through North Adelaide and into suburbs such as Vale Park and Felixstow. Botanic Gardens parkrun starts every Saturday at 7.45am from the Botanic Park entrance off Hackney Road, with a fixed 5km loop that stays flat and lit in winter.

Ratings by distance and difficulty

Linear Park divides into segments that allow precise planning. The 12km stretch from Bonython Park to the O-Bahn tunnel entrance at Hackney counts as easy, with sealed paths and multiple cafes. The next 18km from there to the Gorge Road trailhead in Athelstone rises to moderate difficulty due to occasional unsealed sections and gentle climbs under 50 metres. Glenelg beachfront path adds a 7km easy option along Jetty Road and the foreshore, popular for flat sand-adjacent walking with sea breezes.

Adelaide City Council data from the 2025 annual trails report shows 1.2 million recorded visits to Linear Park segments last year, with the moderate Athelstone section accounting for 340000 of those. Entry remains free at all listed locations, though paid parking near Botanic Gardens costs $3.50 for two hours on weekdays.

Planning a visit

Check the City of Adelaide website for current path closures before heading out, especially after winter rain. Start at Bonython Park for the easiest access by public transport via tram stop 9, then extend distance as fitness improves. Residents should consult a local GP before beginning any new routine.