6 Top Dog-Friendly Walks in the Inner West of Sydney

Unlike many parts of Sydney, there isn’t much greenery in the Inner West. However, there’s still some great dog-friendly walks that you enjoy out in nature. From bayside and river walks to a rare bushland reserve and a great new share path, take your pick from the following…

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#1 GreenWay, Haberfield to Hurlstone Park

Distance: 5.7km one-way
Difficulty: Easy (Paved and flat)

One of my favourite dog-friendly walks in the Inner West is also the newest, the recently opened GreenWay. Cutting through multiple suburbs between the Bay Run and Haberfield to the Cooks River and Hurlstone Park, choose between walking the entire 5.7km length or just one section.

The shared path roughly follows the light rail track down to Dulwich Hill and includes multiple underpasses to avoid some (but not all) of the major roads (and the train line) along the route. There’s plenty of signposting along the way to remind you how far you’ve walked and what’s along the route.

The path is mainly removed from the road, including some great new sections of raised boardwalk. However, there are also two sections through quiet streets just south of Old Canterbury Road and before the Cooks River (my least favourite sections of the walk).

When I walked it shortly after it opened, there was a constant stream of dog walkers, cyclists and kids on scooters. Be aware of the many users of the path – always keep your dog leashed and to the side of the path, particularly along some narrower sections.

If you have an older dog like me (or a dog who has been injured), you can walk it using a pet stroller – there are no steps. You could then return to your stating point using the light rail – dogs in an enclosed stroller or in a carrier bag are allowed onboard with the crew’s permission.

At the northern end, detour over to the eastern side of the canal to visit Cafe Bones, where you can purchase a coffee for yourself and a Pupaccino or gourmet biscuit for your pup. Dogs are also allowed off-leash in the adjacent park.

#2 Bay Run, Lilyfield to Drummoyne

Distance: 7km loop
Difficulty: Easy-medium (Paved and flat)

The northern end of the GreenWay is at Iron Cove, intersecting with the Bay Run. A long time favourite of walkers and runners in Sydney, this 7km-long path loops around the bay between Rozelle and Drummoyne, forming a complete loop. 

Instead of views of the light rail and canals along the GreenWay, you’ll be treated to constant water views. Just be warned that this track gets very busy on the weekends, so kept your dog leashed and close to you. It’s also best to skip during the middle of the day in summer, with not much shade along the length of the walk.

A great spot to start and end the walk is in Lilyfield, near Callan Park. A number of parks in Lilyfield close to the Bay Run permit dogs off-leash, as long as no organised sporting activities are being held. This includes much of Callan Park (see the map on the management plan), the Waterfront Oval, Leichhardt Oval No. 2, Leichhardt Oval No. 3 and Glover Street Sporting Ground. Although keep your dog leashed on the entire pathway.

On warmer days, your dog may also appreciate a splash at the Callan Point Beach, an unsignposted but off-leash dog-friendly beach in between the Waterfront Oval and King George Park.

#3 Glebe Foreshore Walk, Glebe

Distance: 1.2km one-way
Difficulty: Easy (Paved and flat)

Further east back towards the city is Glebe, home to the Glebe Foreshore Walk. Part of a push to make the harbour foreshore accessible to wall, the waterfront path along Blackwattle Bay links Bridge Road (near the new Fish Market) to the end of Glebe Point.

Dogs are allowed along the full length of the walk – they’re even allowed off-leash from the boathouse at the end of Ferry Road right around to the point. There’s even a secret dog-friendly beach along this stretch, depending on the tide. Otherwise, just enjoy the splendid views of the city skyline and Anzac Bridge while your dog has some off-leash time.

Perhaps combine this path with a walk through the Glebe Foreshore Parks. Dogs are allowed on leash in Bicentennial Park and Jubilee Park, plus off-leash in much of Federal Park. Check the local signs for precise details.

#6 Wolli Creek Walking Track, Tempe to Bexley North

Distance: 4.5km one-way
Difficulty: Easy-medium (Unsealed, relatively flat)

One of the few expanses of bushland in the Inner West of Sydney is the Wolli Creek Regional Park. Located to the west of the train station of the same name, the area was originally earmarked for the M5 motorway, but was luckily preserved to become a regional park.

Unlike national parks in NSW, dogs on a leash are permitted in many of the regional parks in the state. Luckily, this is one of the dog-friendly parks, with dogs allowed throughout the park, including on the Wolli Creek Walking Trail.

The 4.5km long bush track roughly connects Tempe Station and Bexley North Station. If you return along the same route, it’s a fairly long 9km walk for both you and your dog, so perhaps consider just walking along part of it. My favourite part is the section through Girrahween Park, behind Earlwood. Listen out for the flying fox colony!

If you have a small dog and a carrier to take them on the bus, you could make use of the 423 bus route. Park at Steel Park in Marrickville, then catch the bus with your dog in a carrier to the Earlwood shops. Follow the trail through Girrahween Park, across Turella Reserve, and then on to Waterworth Park.

Finally, make your way back to your starting point along the Cooks River Cycleway, on either side of the river. The total walking distance is 5.2km. Dogs are also allowed off-leash opposite Steel Park, on the oval in HJ Mahoney Memorial Park.

#5 Cooks River Cycleway, Kyeemagh to Ryde

Distance: Variable
Difficulty: Easy (Paved and flat)

Another very long shared path in the Inner West is the Cooks River Cycleway. This 30km-long, largely off-road cycleway connects the shores of Botany Bay at Kyeemagh and Ryde, with the first stretch following the Cooks River. And naturally it’s also open to pedestrians and dogs, although dogs need to be kept on a leash.

There’s endless variations of walks that you can enjoy with your dog along the river, now far prettier and less polluted than in years past. In particular, there’s often a cycleway on both sides of the river, making it easy to create a loop walk without retracing your footsteps.

One of my favourite walks is along the section between Steel Park in Marrickville and Tempe Station. Walk along one bank before returning along the other bank, for a total loop of about 3km. Parking is available in multiple locations, including Steel park and Gough Whitlam Park. Dogs are also allowed off-leash on the oval opposite Steel Park.

Another option for an extra long hike with your dog is to walk the section from Tempe Station to Campsie, then follow the Wolli Creek Walking Track (see above) to return to your starting point. This 13km-long trail is known as the Two Valleys Trail.

#6 Sydney Park Loop, St Peters

Distance: 2.1km loop
Difficulty: Easy (Paved, but a little hilly)

One of the most popular off-leash parks in all of Sydney is found in the Inner West, Sydney Park in St Peters. Once the site of a brickworks and waste tip, the reclaimed land was in the 1990s beautifully landscaped to become one of the largest parks close to the city center.

While it’s a great destination to just enjoy some off-leash time with your dog, and perhaps a visit to the cafe onsite, you could also walk a loop right around the park. One possible route is this loop on AllTrails that circles around the entire park, but you could modify it as you wish.

Best of all, as the whole park is off-leash (except for the children’s playground), this is one walk where you don’t need to keep your dog leashed. Still keep them under control though, especially near picnics, and pick up after them.

Perhaps also detour more through the centre of the park, where there’s a beautiful wetlands area, including some cute stepping stones. There’s also a small dog pond in the park for paddles when the weather is warm.

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