wellness
Bundoora Parks Department Rates 5 Walking Trails By Distance, Difficulty
Bundoora Parks Department issued updated ratings this month for five local routes based on measured distances and terrain challenges.
How we reported this
The Bundoora Parks Department released official difficulty ratings for five walking trails on July 8, 2026, assigning each route a distance in kilometres and a challenge level from easy to advanced.
Residents have increased outdoor activity since the start of the financial year, with council data showing steady growth in park visits tied to wellness programs run through the Bundoora Community Centre. The ratings help locals match routes to their fitness levels without needing to test paths on their own.
Bundoora Park on Plenty Road offers two of the newly rated trails, while the Darebin Creek Linear Park along the waterway provides the other three. Both sites sit within the suburb boundaries and connect to residential streets such as Grimshaw Street and Settlement Road.
Trail distances and difficulty levels
The 3.2-kilometre loop inside Bundoora Park carries an easy rating with mostly flat gravel paths and one short incline near the northern gate. The 5.8-kilometre out-and-back route along Darebin Creek from the Settlement Road bridge rates moderate, featuring some uneven sections and two steeper climbs that add elevation gain of 45 metres. The longest option, a 9.4-kilometre circuit that starts at Bundoora Park and links to the creek trail, receives an advanced label because of repeated hills and a requirement to cross two busy road intersections.
Council records from the June 2026 quarterly report show trail usage rose 22 percent compared with the same period last year. Parking at Bundoora Park costs $2 for two hours on weekdays, while the Darebin Creek entry points remain free.
Practical steps for first-time users
Walkers can download the free Bundoora Trails map from the council website or pick up a printed copy at the Bundoora Community Centre on Plenty Road. The map lists estimated times for each route at an average pace of 5 kilometres per hour. People new to the trails are advised to start with the easy loop and carry water, especially on days when temperatures exceed 18 degrees.
Next week the parks team will hold two guided walks on the moderate Darebin Creek section, meeting at the Grimshaw Street car park at 9 a.m. on July 15 and July 17. Registration opens online today and closes when spots fill.