Continuing on from the previous article, here are more quiet Hills hikes to leafy city escapes to help stretch your legs, boost your mood, and give you your nature fix this summer.
Anstey Hill Recreation Park. Image: Walking SA
7. Anstey Hill Recreation Park – Yellowtail Loop
Part bushwalk, part birdwatching session. This loop climbs through open forest and old quarries (expect some leg burn), with wide plains views, some cool ruins, plus yellow-tailed cockatoos overhead. It’s popular with local dogs and their humans but rarely feels crowded.
- 7.5km / 2.5–3 hrs / Grade 4 (moderate-hard)
- Best for: a Sunday-morning reset that ends with a flat white (there are several top-notch cafés near the park, although none inside).
- Need to know: Toilets at Lone Pine car park. Dogs welcome on lead. Trail is exposed – take sunscreen and water.
Mark Oliphant Conservation Park. Image: Walking SA
8. Mark Oliphant Conservation Park – Skink Trail
A peaceful Hills forest walk through tall stringybarks and sheoaks, alive with kookaburras and the scent of damp earth after rain. The Skink Trail feels tucked-away and local – a quiet, cool escape for when you need a reset that doesn’t feel like a workout.
- 1.8km loop / 30 mins / Grade 3 (easy–moderate)
- Best for: first-timers, families or anyone chasing calm forest vibes and a Sunday-morning recharge.
- Need to know: No toilets in the park (nearest are at Stirling Oval). No dogs. Mostly flat, well-signed loop – sneakers are fine.
It’s best to be prepared before you start your hike.
Before you go
Before you lace up, a few things worth knowing – because even the best hikes can go sideways if you’re not prepared.
- Check park alerts and fire danger before heading out – some trails close on high or catastrophic fire days.
- Pack the basics: water, sunscreen, a hat and sturdy shoes (even the “easy” walks can surprise you).
- Dogs: welcome in some recreation parks and on the Linear Park Trail, but not in most national or conservation parks – always check signage.
- Respect Country: these walks all take place on Kaurna Yarta. Walk gently, take your rubbish home, and leave the trails as you found them.
Accessibility: several parks, including Glenthorne and sections of Linear Park, have pram- and wheelchair-friendly paths – check the Parks SA site for details.
Even in the CBD, you can find pockets of peaceful nature – like the Adelaide Botanic Garden. Image: South Australian Tourism Commission
Adelaide is built for walking
You don’t have to drive to the Hills to get your nature fix. Adelaide is basically a city inside a national park – wrapped in 900 hectares of green park lands, stitched together by the 47-kilometre River Torrens Linear Park Trail, and surrounded by bush and wetlands within half an hour.
It’s the kind of place you can change into your comfy sneakers and take a stroll at lunchtime and be back home in time for an afternoon catch-up.
Whether you need a lunch-break breather or a weekend reset, here are five easy places around Adelaide to “touch grass” – literally – and give your brain a scroll break.
5 more great walks in Adelaide
Adelaide Botanic Garden. Image: South Australian Tourism Commission
1. Adelaide Botanic Garden & Botanic Park / Tainmuntilla (CBD)
Wander through rainforest palms, waterlilies and shady fig trees without leaving the city. It’s an instant hit of calm and a reminder that your phone isn’t really the most interesting thing to gaze at.
- Best for: a quick outdoor fix zen seeker
- Need to know: Free entry, open daily. Toilets near cafés and visitor centre.
River Torrens / Karrawirra Parri Linear Park Trail. Image: Walking SA
2. River Torrens / Karrawirra Parri Linear Park Trail
A choose-your-own-adventure path that runs from Athelstone to West Beach. Jump on anywhere for a quick 20-minute loop or go all in and walk coast to hills – it’s flat, leafy and doubles as a digital detox.
- Best for: afternoon unwind or weekend walks with friends.
- Need to know: Shared path, plenty of cafés and toilets along the route.
Oaklands Wetland & Reserve. Image: Walking SA
3. Oaklands Wetland & Reserve (Marion)
Boardwalks, bird hides and calm water views just off Marion Road. The loop’s flat and pram-friendly, and the ducks put on a show like they’re angling for sponsorship deals. Think of it as self-care you don’t need to schedule.
- Best for: family strolls or low-effort movement days.
- Need to know: Toilets, barbecues and picnic shelters on-site. Dogs welcome on lead.
Glenthorne National Park. Image: Walking SA
4. Glenthorne National Park – Ityamaiitpinna Yarta (O’Halloran Hill)
Wide, gentle trails through new parkland with wildflowers and kangaroo sightings if you’re lucky. The huge nature-play area and shady picnic spots make it a perfect no-stress outing.
- Best for: afternoon unwind or weekend walks with friends.
- Need to know: Toilets, water fountains and shade structures at the central hub.
Brownhill Creek / Wirraparringa Trail. Image: Walking SA
5. Brownhill Creek / Wirraparringa Trail (Mitcham)
A shady creek-side wander under tall red gums just minutes from the suburbs. The sound of running water does things for your nervous system that your inbox never will. A classic for a reason.
- Best for: afternoon unwind or weekend walks with friends.
- Need to know: Toilets and picnic area at Brownhill Creek Tourist Park. Dogs welcome on lead.
Why walking makes you feel so good
You already know walking is good for you – but it’s hard to overstate just how good. It’s the closest thing we’ve got to a wonder drug, according to Harvard Health, with proven benefits for everything from stress levels to immune function.
A brisk 30-minute walk most days of the week hits the Australian guidelines for moderate physical activity, cutting your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and even some cancers.
It also strengthens your joints, helps you sleep better and boosts your mood – all without an expensive gym membership or a waiting list.
And you don’t need to be training for a marathon to get the payoff. Even short, consistent walks – ten minutes between meetings, a lap of the block after dinner – make a measurable difference to your fitness and mental health.
Why walking in nature makes you feel even better
Step off-road, and walking gets even better. Studies show that exercising in green spaces lowers stress hormones, blood pressure and heart rate faster than doing the same workout indoors.
Time in nature improves concentration, reduces anxiety and can even ease symptoms of depression. In other words, the more trees around you, the calmer your brain.
Walking outdoors is a rare overlap between science and TikTok wellness influencers: Basically, everyone agrees on its benefits, whether they call it “nature bathing” or “mindful exercise”. It’s gentle, cheap, and proven to make you happier – which might explain why it’s quietly become the ultimate form of self-care.
So, if your head feels crowded, your body’s stiff from sitting, or you just need to feel human again, go for a walk. Preferably somewhere green.
Want even more walking trail options? Find your nearest park to see what trails it has to offer.
This article first appeared in The Post on 21 October 2025.
Words: Laura Dare