Canberra is nicknamed the “bush capital.” No matter where you are in the city, there’s a bushland reserve nearby with walking trails. Luckily, many of the reserves are dog-friendly, meaning there’s plenty of great options for walks with your dog. Take your pick from one of these dog-friendly walks in Canberra…
#1 Mount Ainslie Summit Walk
Distance: 4.3km return
Difficulty: Moderate (Well maintained gravel/paved path, but steep)
One of the best dog-friendly bushwalks in Canberra is the summit track up to the top of Mount Ainslie. Located on the northeastern edge of Canberra, Mount Ainslie’s summit offers beautiful views along Anzac Parade and across Lake Burley Griffin to Parliament Hill – part of the geometry of the planned city of Canberra.
Okay, it’s possible to enjoy the views by simply driving to the top, where the popular lookout is located. However, you can also enjoy a rewarding hike to the top through the Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve, where dogs are welcome on a leash.
The summit trail starts from Treloar Crescent behind the Australian War Memorial. The path up to the top is well-maintained, a mixture of paved and gravel paths with some stairs. And as you’re climbing a mountain, of course it’s steep at times. There’s plenty of places to stop and rest though along the way, including at the summit, before you descend back down.
#2 Mount Taylor Summit Walk
Distance: 3.2km return
Difficulty: Moderate (Mix of gravel fire trail and paved path, but steep)
Another great bushwalk up a peak not far from the centre of Canberra is the Mount Taylor Summit Walk. The tallest peak in the southern suburbs of Canberra, from its summit you can see beautiful views towards the Brindabella ranges and to the north, although Parliament Hill is hidden behind Red Hill. This time there’s no option to just drive to the summit.
I recommend parking along Sulwood Drive. You then take Mrs Lowes Fire Trail, before meeting the summit path, which is a narrower but roughly paved path. There’s only a few stairs along the way, but the path is quite steep at times. Luckily there’s some handy benches to rest at along the way. There were also dog water bowls at the top when I visited.
We retraced the same route back down to our car. But for a longer loop you could instead descend along the unsealed East Summit Path that zig zags down the slope, then return to your starting point along the Torrens Houses Fire Trail, a longer 4.3km route.
When I hiked this track there were many kangaroos about on the wooded slopes, partially because it was late afternoon. Make sure you always follow the rule for dogs to always be on a leash in the reserve.
#3 Bridge to Bridge Walk
Distance: 5km loop
Difficulty: Easy (Flat, paved shared path)
It’s not all bushwalks and summit trails in Canberra when it comes to dog-friendly walks, although there are plenty of those. There are also some great dog-friendly walks around the lakes of Canberra, including around Lake Burley Griffin. There’s a total of 30km of walking and cycling paths divided into the Western, Central and Eastern Loops, with leashed dogs permitted on most of them except part of the Eastern Loop.
The most popular dog-friendly path around Lake Burley Griffin is the Central Loop, also known as the Bridge to Bridge Walk, as it crosses over both Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and Kings Avenue Bridge. It’s a reasonable 5km loop along the lake shores and these two bridges.
Along the way you’ll pass by some of the top sights in Canberra such as the Captain James Cook Memorial water jet, Commonwealth Park (where Floriade is held in spring), the International Flag Display and the National Gallery of Australia Sculpture Garden. Make use of this self-guided walking tour brochure to learn more about the route.
#4 Lake Ginninderra Loop Walk
Distance: 7.1km loop
Difficulty: Easy (Flat, paved shared path)
Another popular dog-friendly walk around a lake in Canberra is the Lake Ginninderra Loop Walk in Canberra’s northern suburbs. In this case, the 7km share track takes you around the entire lake, passing through multiple reserves and past the tall buildings of Belconnen.
The easiest place to start the walk is one of the two carparks in the reserve on the northeastern edge of the lake, both on Diddams Close. One of the carparks is next to the Lake Ginninderra Dog Park, a fenced dog park, while the other carpark is next to the Diddams Close dog swimming area, also known as Nengi Bamir Beach. Add a visit to one or both to your walk, with dogs otherwise needing to be leashed.
There’s plenty of signage along the way, along with picnic benches and water fountains. Alternatively, slightly detour from your route in Belconnen to visit the very dog-friendly Stella’s By the Lake. This dog-friendly cafe even has a menu just for dogs.
#5 Himalayan Cedar Track, National Arboretum
Distance: 2.1km loop
Difficulty: Easy-moderate (Mainly flat dirt path)
The National Arboretum on the western edge of Canberra was established in 2005 following the devastating fires of 2003 and contains a huge number of possible walking trails, with over 20km of walking trails in total.
A great shorter trail in the arboretum is the Himalayan Cedar Track. The trail starts at the Village Centre, where there is paid parking, then heads to the grove of towering Himalayan Cedars, that were planted over 100 years ago. Along the way you’ll also pass the Wide Brown Land Sculpture plus take in views of the arboretum and its many monoculture plantings.
Dogs need to stay leashed on this trail, as on all trails in the arboretum. Note that dogs aren’t allowed inside the Village Centre, plus the POD Playground and the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection. For a longer trail, follow this 11.1km loop right around the arboretum.
#6 Shepherds Lookout Walk
Distance: 1.2km return
Difficulty: Easy (Flat partially paved and partially dirt path)
On most walking trails in Canberra, dogs need to stay on a leash, whether due to the wildlife or because it’s a path shared with bicycles. However, there are a few excellent off-leash dog walks.
On one of my visits to Canberra, we walked along the Shepherds Lookout Walk in the Woodstock Nature Reserve. This short but fun walking trail starts from a small carpark close to the end of Stockdill Drive, on Canberra’s northwestern edge.
The 600m long relatively flat path, mainly paved but partially dirt, leads to a lookout overlooking the Murrumbidgee River and the NSW border, where you’ll find a handy bench. Return by the same route or the slightly longer loop.
Note that while dogs are allowed off-leash on this track, they are prohibited from the rest of the nature reserve, including the Molonglo River Track branching off down to the Uriarra Crossing Recreation Area.
#7 Narrabundah Hill Peak Walk
Distance: 6.1km loop
Difficulty: Easy-moderate (Mainly dirt roads)
Another off-leash walk in Canberra that I haven’t had a chance to do with my dog is the Narrabundah Hill Peak Walk. Note that this walk isn’t located in the suburb of Narrabundah – instead it’s on the southwestern edge of Canberra near Mount Stromlo.
This nature reserve was formerly part of the Stromlo pine plantation that was burnt during the 2003 bushfires, and is now a mixture of rejuvenating pine trees and paddocks. Multiple dirt roads criss-cross the reserve. This 6.1km loop track circuits the entire reserve, or take this shorter 3.5km loop directly to the peak. Both tracks start at Eucumbene Drive in Duffy.
Note that dogs are only allowed off-leash when cattle are not present in the reserve. If you spot cattle around, leash your dog and look out for cow pats along the track.
#8 Aranda Loop Walk
Distance: 4.5km loop
Difficulty: Easy-moderate (Mix of paved paths and dirt track, mainly flat)
For another walk that offers plenty of off-leash opportunities but is closer to suburbia follow this Aranda Loop Walk put together by the team at Canberra Dog Walks. Starting and ending at the dog-friendly Two Before Ten Cafe the walk loops around the suburb of Aranda passing through plenty of local bushland.
There are multiple stretches of the walk where dogs are allowed off-leash, as described in the detailed notes for the walk. You can firstly let your dog off-leash at the Aranda District Playing Fields, as long as organised sport is not in progress, then later along the bushland strip bordering the suburb. Note that dogs need to be leashed in the section through the Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve.
#9 Molonglo Gorge Trail
Distance: Up to 6.6km return
Difficulty: Moderate-hard (Bush track with some rocky sections)
An interesting looking dog-friendly walk I’d like to hike on my next visit to Canberra is the Molonglo Gorge Trail, an on-leash walk that follows the bank of the Molonglo River.
This track starts at the Molonglo Gorge Recreation Area to the east of Canberra, on the opposite side of the Molonglo River from Queanbeyan. There’s a picnic area at the start and at the turning around point, but as it’s an out and back trail you can also turn around early.
The trail has a variety of terrains, including reports of some rocky sections where you need to be careful where you put your feet. Proper hiking shoes are definitely required. It’s best suited for more agile dogs.
BONUS: Join a Guided Dog Walk
As well as publishing details of hikes online, Canberra Dog Walks also leads guided walks for dogs and their owners. Each of the walks are one to two hours long and begins and ends at a dog-friendly cafe, with some off-leash time along the way.
Walks occur every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday and are organised through Meetup. Your first dog walk is free, but a yearly membership fee of $7.50 is then requested and $7.50 per walk that you attend.
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About the Author
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.