wellness
Collingwood Council Rates 5 Walking Trails by Distance and Difficulty
Collingwood’s council has published fresh ratings for five local trails that sort paths by exact kilometres and effort required.
How we reported this
The Collingwood City Council published its 2026 trail ratings on 7 July, sorting five local routes by distance and difficulty after a six-month audit of footpaths and signage.
Park use has climbed steadily since the council added lighting to three routes in late 2025, and residents now seek clear options before the longer daylight of summer arrives.
Two sites anchor the list. The Smith Street riverside path starts at the Collingwood Community Garden on Gipps Street and runs 3.4 kilometres to the footbridge near Johnston Street. Victoria Park’s perimeter loop begins at the old grandstand on Lulie Street and covers 5.1 kilometres with a short hill section near the railway line.
Beginner and moderate options
The shortest rated route is the 1.8-kilometre flat circuit inside the Collingwood Children’s Farm grounds off St Heliers Street, marked as beginner level with no elevation. The 4.2-kilometre Hoddle Street greenway, which links the farm to the Collingwood Leisure Centre, is rated moderate because it includes two road crossings and a steady 35-metre climb.
Council data show 4,872 people logged walks on the five trails during June, a 14 percent rise from the same month in 2025. Entry to all paths remains free, though the leisure centre charges $9 for a weekly guided group walk that starts at 7 a.m. on Tuesdays.
Advanced routes and next steps
The longest entry, an 8.2-kilometre out-and-back along the Yarra side of Victoria Park, carries an advanced label because of uneven gravel and one steep bank. Walkers must carry water on that route after the single refill station at the park’s south gate was closed for repairs on 2 July.
Residents can download the updated map from the council website or pick up a printed copy at the Collingwood Library on Town Hall Place before heading out.