Canberra, the capital city of Australia, boasts a range of nature reserves, mountain ranges, botanical gardens, and scenic walking trails suitable for all fitness levels. The city and its surrounding areas offer numerous hiking opportunities to immerse visitors in its natural splendor. Notable trails in the region include the Black Mountain Forest Track, Bushland Nature Walk, Mount Ainslie, Black Mountain Summit, Yankee Hat Hike, and Canberra Centenary Trail.
The Black Mountain Forest Track, spanning 3.5km return, guides hikers through lush forests with picturesque views. For a shorter and easier trek showcasing local flora and fauna, the 2.2km return Bushland Nature Walk offers a glimpse of Canberra's natural diversity. Mount Ainslie, a popular hiking spot adjacent to the city centre, presents panoramic views of Canberra from its lookout point, reachable by a 30-minute hike.
The easily accessible Black Mountain Summit trail, a short walk from the Australian National University, offers stunning views of the cityscape. The Yankee Hat Hike, an easy 6km return route, features kangaroo sightings and Aboriginal rock drawings at its endpoint. Moreover, the Canberra Centenary Trail provides varying sections and difficulty levels, with Section 7 from Tuggeranong to Parliament House being a favored moderately challenging option. These diverse trails cater to outdoor enthusiasts seeking to explore Canberra’s natural beauty.