Best trails in Hat Head National Park
Want to find the best trails in Hat Head National Park for an adventurous hike or a family trip? AllTrails has 22 great trails for hiking, walking, and birding and more. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.
Ready for your next hike or bike ride? Explore one of 1 easy hiking trails in Hat Head National Park that are great for the whole family. Looking for a more strenuous hike? We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 121 to 2,650 feet in elevation gain. Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Hat Head National Park.
Top trails
1
(283)
•Moderate
•2.4 mi
•Est. 59m
An enjoyable trail through the Hat Head National Park located on the north coast of New South Wales - not too far from the town of Kempsey. This looped route begins from the parking area at the end of Ledge Street in Hat Head.
Enjoy following the coastline as you make a loop around the peninsular. A great mix of estuary and wetlands with stunning views to top it all off!
2
(53)
•Hard
•9.2 mi
•Est. 4h 58m
A beautiful walk through Hat Head National Park, located not too far from South West Rocks, in northern New South Wales. The trail runs from Smokey Cape Campground up and along the coast to Trial Bay Gaol and back.
Along the way, you will go great views of the coast, beaches and forest plus there some steep sections that are a little more testing (especially the climb up Little Smokey Hill) but totally worth it.
3
(51)
•Moderate
•3.8 mi
•Est. 1h 39m
This is a fantastic grade 3 walk along the coastline of Hat Head National Park that passes by O'Connors Beach which is perfect for a dip on your way back to the car park at The Gap.
The majority of the trail is exposed to wind and sun so come prepared for the elements. The terrain is rocky in places and follows undulations in the coast and headlands. The trail is well-worn and easy to follow and is suitable for the whole family, as you can always cut it short and return to the car park from...
4
(34)
•Hard
•11.2 mi
•Est. 6h 0m
This track connects beaches and remarkable views through Arakoon and Hat Head National Parks.
Be prepared for some steep ascents right out of the gate, as you quickly gain elevation up past Little Smoky before traversing rocky and undulating terrain to Smoky Cape where you have tremendous views over the sea and of the Smoky Bay Lighthouse. This trail is a must do for anyone in the area, with glistening coastlines, deserted beaches, and rainforest all packed into this stretch of coast.
7
(15)
•Moderate
•3.6 mi
•Est. 1h 45m
A beautiful walk through the Hat Head National Park in north eastern New South Wales, located not too far from South West Rocks. This out and back route begins and ends from the parking area on Gap Road just off Arakoon Road.
From here you'll follow a nice walking track through the forest and up to the Smokey House Lighthouse and back again. Enjoy the views from the lighthouse before returning via the same route.
8
(48)
•Hard
•3.7 mi
•Est. 2h 25m
This moderate to hard walk in Hat Head National Park, in between Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie, NSW. Begin the walk from the Overshot Dam where there is parking available. The trail traverses a range of plant communities and is great for bird watching. There are great vantage points for whale watching as well. Enjoy a picnic lunch and swim before climbing back out.
9
(18)
•Moderate
•3.8 mi
•Est. 1h 55m
An adventurous coastal trail within Hat Head National Park on the east coast of New South Wales between Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie. This looped route begins and ends from Captain Cook Lookout at the end of Lighthouse Road, where parking is available.
The beach side of this trail can be difficult to follow in some places as it is very overgrown. Blue paint markers can be found on the Cobble beach to Smoky leg, but previous to this there are hardly any markers at all. Wear long pants and...
10
(31)
•Moderate
•5.6 mi
•Est. 3h 1m
A coastal walk running between Trial Bay Gaol to Smokey Cape Campground. Along the way, you will go great views of the coast, beaches and forest plus there some steep sections that are a little more testing but totally worth it.
The route gets trickier as you get closer to Skokey Cape Campground so be sure to follow the signs or GPs. Worth packing a picnic lunch and bathers to make the most of Gap Beach.
Showing results 1–10 of 22
Trail reviews for Hat Head National Park
First to review
Well formed relatively easy sandy, grassy and sometimes rocky trail to Connor’s Beach. Magnificent views north to Hat Head and south to Crescent Head. Save yourself around 3km and a good deal of aerobic activity by driving up to the lookout instead of walking it like we did.
O'Connors Beach via Kemps Corner
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to hike in Hat Head National Park?
According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Hat Head National Park is Korogoro Walking Track, which has a 4.8 star rating from 284 reviews. This trail is 2.4 mi long with an elevation gain of 291 ft.
What is the longest trail in Hat Head National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Hat Head National Park is Little Bay to Smoky Cape via Interior Tracks Beach. This trail is estimated to be 11.2 mi long.
How many trails are in Hat Head National Park?
There are 22 trails in Hat Head National Park. These trails have an average 4.2-star rating from 734 AllTrails community reviews.
Which trail has the most elevation gain in Hat Head National Park?
If you're looking for elevation gain, Hat Head National Park has you covered. Little Bay to Smoky Cape via Interior Tracks Beach boasts the most elevation gain with 2,650 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Smoky Cape to Trial Bay Gaol Loop, which will get you 2,227 ft of elevation gain.
Are there camping trails available in Hat Head National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, there are 3 camping trails in Hat Head National Park and the most popular is Gap Beach via Smoky Cape Track with an average 4.1 star rating from 48 community reviews.
Are there running trails available in Hat Head National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, there are 8 running trails in Hat Head National Park and the most popular is Green Island Lookout Track via North Smokey Beach with an average 4.4 star rating from 38 community reviews.