Best Walking Trails in The Hills District (Updated April 2026)

Fred Caterson Reserve is a comprehensive 58-hectare recreational facility in Castle Hill, NSW, featuring five soccer fields convertible to three cricket fields, making it the region's premier sports hub. The reserve offers extensive facilities including tennis courts, a basketball stadium, BMX track, and multiple walking trails.

Hornsby Park in Hornsby NSW 2077 is a family-friendly recreation area featuring a recently upgraded children's playground, picnic facilities with free electric BBQs, and access to scenic walking trails including the Blue Gum Walk. The park also connects to the Hornsby Aquatic and Leisure Centre.

Old Mans Valley Park (proposed) in Hornsby is a major recreational redevelopment transforming a former quarry site into a community hub. Its standout feature is the Field of Play—a 7,000+ square meter multipurpose green space with a bike pump track for mountain bikes, BMX, skateboards, and wheelchairs, plus a dedicated dog exercise area.

Caddies Creek Conservation Area Reserve is a 16-hectare bushland reserve in Kellyville offering an off-leash dog area where dogs can run freely. The reserve features over two kilometers of shared walking and cycling paths, native tree plantings, and scenic creek-side recreation across 24-hour accessible bushland.

Granville Park in Merrylands, NSW is a comprehensive 24-hour recreational facility featuring ten sports fields, playgrounds, a splash park, and walking trails. The park's standout feature is the Laurie Ferguson Splash Park, a sensory-rich water play area with jets, misters, and cascading water features inspired by local First Nations stories.

Doyle Ground is North Parramatta's largest sportsground, featuring four expansive fields for hockey, AFL, touch football, and cricket. The park offers a fenced playground for children aged 0–12, a 1 km circuit walking track, outdoor fitness equipment, picnic areas, and public toilets.

Lake Parramatta Reserve is a 73-hectare bushland reserve in North Parramatta featuring a man-made lake with designated swimming areas, walking trails, and watercraft hire. The reserve's standout feature is its 4.2 km Lake Circuit walking trail offering scenic views and wildlife spotting opportunities around the water.

Lake Parramatta Reserve is a 73-hectare bushland reserve in North Parramatta featuring a designated swimming lake, extensive walking trails, and family-friendly facilities including playgrounds, picnic areas, and electric barbecues for public use.

Parramatta Park is an 85-hectare UNESCO World Heritage site in Parramatta NSW featuring expansive green spaces, historical landmarks, and recreational facilities. The park's standout feature is its extensive network of walking and cycling paths, including the 3.1 km People's Loop Trail and 3 km Heritage & Riverside Loop, attracting over 1.7 million visitors annually.

River Foreshore Reserve is a scenic 24-hour riverside park in Parramatta stretching along the Parramatta River's northern and southern banks. Its standout feature is an expansive playground with water play areas, climbing equipment, and a long slide set into a grassy embankment, making it ideal for families with children.

Thornleigh Park is a 7.9-acre recreational reserve in Thornleigh, NSW 2120, featuring well-maintained walking trails, sports fields including soccer and cricket, a recently renovated inclusive playground with water play zones, and accessible pathways throughout the park.

Caddies Creek Park is a 16-hectare reserve in Rouse Hill featuring four sporting fields, a fenced off-leash dog area with separate zones for small and large dogs, playgrounds, and over 2km of shared walking and cycling paths through native bushland.

Brickpit Park in Thornleigh NSW is a comprehensive recreational facility featuring a newly opened fully fenced off-leash dog park, upgraded playgrounds with inclusive equipment, sports courts, picnic areas, and a continuous paved circuit path for walking and cycling.

Waitara Marine Park in Waitara, NSW is a comprehensive recreational hub featuring an inclusive playground, coastal walking paths, sports facilities, and BBQ areas. The park's standout feature is its accessible coastal walkway and heritage trail system designed for visitors of all abilities.

Pemulwuy Park in Winston Hills is a public recreation area featuring the scenic Pemulwuy Loop, a 5.2 km walking trail with creek views, playgrounds, and off-leash dog areas. The park offers picnic facilities, barbecues, and accessible amenities suitable for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

Sirius Reserve is a community park in Baulkham Hills, NSW offering accessible walking paths, playgrounds, and sports facilities. The reserve features paved, level trails suitable for families, mobility-challenged visitors, and leashed dogs, making it an inclusive destination for outdoor recreation.

Windeyer Scout Camp is a Scout and Guide facility in Galston, NSW, accessible exclusively by boat across Still Creek. The camp's most notable feature is its unique water-based access and comprehensive outdoor activity programme, including challenge courses, water activities, and hiking on part of the Great North Walk.

Ginger Meggs Park is a family-friendly destination in Hornsby featuring a large, fully fenced playground with slides, swings, climbing structures, and a children's bike track. The park provides access to the Blue Gum Bushwalk, a scenic 4 km circuit walk through native bushland.

Robin Hood Park is a family-friendly community park in Northmead featuring a colorful playground with climbing and balancing structures, plus direct access to the scenic 3.5 km Redbank Track bushwalk along Toongabbie Creek.

Observatory Park is a 2.2-hectare natural bushland reserve in Pennant Hills established in 1886, notable as the historic site of Sydney's first observatory (1899–1932). The park's standout feature is its restored native Sydney Blue Gum High Forest, with over 120 native plant species regenerated through ecological restoration since 1988.