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Best trails in Royal National Park

Best trails in Royal National Park

4.3(18,860 reviews)

·

Australia
#13 of 638 national parks

Want to find the best trails in Royal National Park for an adventurous hike or a family trip? AllTrails has 139 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 16 easy hiking trails in Royal National Park that are great for the whole family. Looking for a more strenuous hike? We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 0 to 4,609 feet in elevation gain. Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Royal National Park.

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Showing results 1–10 of 139
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Visitor info

Hours
Open 7 days a week
Passes & fees
Fee required
General park hours

Royal National Park charges a fee to enter.

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Trail reviews for Royal National Park

19,092 trailgoers Busiest in January
Jun 8, 2025Hiking
Great conditionsGreat views

If you’re looking for an easy and enjoyable bushwalk, the Forest Path in Royal National Park is a fantastic choice. The trail is well maintained, making it perfect for families and especially suitable for kids. The walk itself is mostly flat and shaded, winding through beautiful, lush forest. The scenery is genuinely picturesque, with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. One tip: try to arrive early. The parking area can get quite busy, especially on weekends and during school holidays. Overall, the Forest Path is a great option for anyone after a relaxing, scenic walk that’s accessible for all ages. Highly recommended!

Parking: Paid, Small lot
Forest Path
Apr 27, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

The Palm Jungle Loop Track in Royal National Park offers a truly scenic hiking experience that's also conveniently accessible. Paid parking is available, making it easy to get to the trailhead and start your adventure. A strong recommendation is to tackle the loop in a clockwise direction. This allows you to conquer the very steep section early on, leaving a more gradual and enjoyable walk for the remainder of the track. Trust me, getting that initial climb out of the way makes a big difference! Overall, the trail is incredibly picturesque, winding through lush palm forests and offering beautiful views. However, it's worth noting that some sections could benefit from a little maintenance as they are currently a bit overgrown. Despite this minor issue, the natural beauty of the Palm Jungle Loop makes it a worthwhile hike.

Parking: Paid
Palm Jungle Loop Track
Apr 9, 2025Hiking
Not crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

Well maintained trail. Really fun hike through different ecosystems. Loads of wildlife and interesting plants to see. Like others have mentioned, definitely wear proper shoes, bring enough water, and check tide levels on royal national parks website. Last turn and hike along the coast is mostly rocky so be prepared to hop over stones but worth the effort. Views were amazing even on a cloudy day!

Difficulty: Moderate
Otford to Figure Eight Pools
Mar 2, 2025Hiking
Not crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

For those who rely on public transport remember that there’s a charge for ferry from Cronulla wharf to Bundeena wharf . $9 one way so $18 return (Opal cards are not accepted). Toilets available at Bundeena Wharf. There’s a 1.6 km walk to reach the Royal national park trail which takes around 25 min walk. Water and toilets available only at the start of trail. Trail is a mix of paved and unpaved terrain but fairly easy both ways . Beautiful scenic views.

Difficulty: Easy
Bundeena to Big Marley and Little Marley Beaches
Jan 26, 2025Running
Not crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

When it gets really busy in Royal National Park , try this trail . Easy , stunning views and two beaches. Shelley beach is not for swimming , Jibbon beach is . Sandy start to the trek should not dissuade you , many beautiful spots, birds provide good company .

Conditions: Wildflowers
Jibbon Head Loop
Oct 20, 2024Backpacking
Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableGreat views

I am a fan of hiking and camping utilising public transport. This is a perfect little overnighter and so close to the heart of Sydney - but in Royal National Park you wouldn't know it (apart from the occasional airplane overhead). I wish I had gone after a bit of a rainfall as Uloola Falls was a little less than her brilliant self. It's great to have ample restrooms facilities along this path - from Waterfall to Loftus Station included you have 6! Plus you can get safe water from a few of them. The walk from Uloola to Wattle Forest Picnic Area was unpopulated - I only passed by 3 folks. And Wattle Forest itself is not as busy as Audley - so very nice. Super special to see an echidna up close - for a full 10 minutes while dining on ants and then he crawled underneath me when a cyclists surprised us. Super special. Won't be forgetting this.

Parking: Free, Large lot
Difficulty: Moderate
Waterfall to Loftus via Uloola Falls
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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Royal National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Royal National Park is Wattamolla to Eagle Rock, which has a 4.8 star rating from 1,093 reviews. This trail is 5.6 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,102 ft.

What is the longest trail in Royal National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Royal National Park is Coastal Walk: Wollongong to Bundeena. This trail is estimated to be 27.8 mi long.

How many trails are in Royal National Park?

There are 139 trails in Royal National Park. These trails have an average 4.3-star rating from 18,860 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Royal National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Royal National Park has you covered. Coastal Walk: Wollongong to Bundeena boasts the most elevation gain with 4,609 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Royal National Park: The Coast Track (North to South), which will get you 3,389 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Royal National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 18 camping trails in Royal National Park and the most popular is Karloo Track and Bottle Forest Trail Loop with an average 4.6 star rating from 455 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Royal National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 69 running trails in Royal National Park and the most popular is Bundeena to Big Marley and Little Marley Beaches with an average 4.7 star rating from 491 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in Royal National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 14 biking trails in Royal National Park and the most popular is Loftus Loop Trail with an average 4.4 star rating from 345 community reviews.