Ringwood's Best Walking Trails Rated by Distance and Difficulty

Ringwood's network of walking trails is longer, more varied and more used than most residents realise. The Maroondah City Council currently lists more than 40 kilometres of maintained walking and shared-use paths within the municipality, spanning everything from paved lakeside circuits to bush singletrack that climbs sharply into the Dandenong Ranges foothills. With winter daylight limiting evening exercise windows, locals are heading out on weekends in growing numbers, and knowing which trail suits your fitness level before you lace up makes a real difference.

The timing matters. Public health bodies have consistently pointed to 150 minutes of moderate-intensity movement per week as a baseline recommendation for adult health, and walking remains the most accessible way to hit that target. A mid-year surge in trail traffic is common in Ringwood, partly because the cooler temperatures between June and August make sustained outdoor effort genuinely comfortable, and partly because the school holiday period frees up Saturday mornings for families who otherwise struggle to find the time.

The Starter Tier: Ringwood Lake and Town Park Loop

For newcomers or anyone recovering from injury, the Ringwood Lake circuit is the obvious starting point. The loop around Ringwood Lake on Greenwood Avenue runs approximately 1.8 kilometres on flat, sealed path and takes most walkers between 20 and 30 minutes at a comfortable pace. Difficulty rating: easy. The path is accessible for prams and wheelchairs, well-lit along the eastern edge, and connects directly to Jubilee Park, which adds another 800 metres of flat grass walking if you want to extend the session without adding any gradient. Parking is free at the Ringwood Lake car park off Greenwood Avenue, and the path is generally clear of mud even after heavy rain.

Stepping up slightly, the Mullum Mullum Creek Trail begins near the Bedford Road reserve in Ringwood East and runs north toward Mitcham. The out-and-back section from Bedford Road to the Reynolds Road crossing is 4.2 kilometres return, mostly flat with one gentle rise near the creek bend. Difficulty: easy to moderate. The trail surface is compacted gravel for most of its length, which makes it firmer underfoot than a bush track but still forgiving on the knees. Maroondah City Council's parks maintenance schedule covers this stretch, and signage was updated in early 2025.

The Challenge Tier: Heathmont and the Dandenong Foothills

Walkers chasing genuine elevation need to push further east. The trail network connecting Heathmont Reserve on Canterbury Road to the outer boundary of Ringwood North gives a 6.5-kilometre loop with around 120 metres of cumulative elevation gain. Difficulty: moderate. The descent along the creek corridor can be slippery on frosty July mornings, trail shoes or grippy runners are advisable. This route is popular with members of the Ringwood Running Club, which hosts Saturday morning group runs and posts weekly route updates on its public Facebook page. The club welcomes walkers and offers a no-drop policy on its beginner sessions.

For those who want the hardest rated option accessible within the municipality, the eastern fire trail sections beyond Warranwood, accessed via Warranwood Reserve on Warranwood Road, push distance past 10 kilometres return and involve sustained climbs that will lift any walker's heart rate into a genuine aerobic zone. Difficulty: hard. There are no facilities on this trail. Carry at least 750ml of water, tell someone your route, and allow three hours minimum for the full out-and-back.

One practical note worth flagging: trail conditions shift faster in winter than most people expect. Maroondah City Council's online parks portal, updated weekly, flags any closed sections due to storm damage or maintenance work. Checking it before a long walk takes two minutes and can save a frustrating turnaround. The Mullum Mullum trail section between Reynolds Road and Mitcham Road was closed for drainage repairs for six weeks in June 2025, a reminder that conditions change. If you're planning a new route, check the portal or contact the council's parks team on 1300 88 22 33.

Whatever trail you choose, the consensus among exercise physiologists is that consistency beats intensity. Walking the Ringwood Lake loop four times a week delivers more long-term benefit than a single brutal hill session. Start where you are, add distance gradually, and use the trail network as a ladder rather than a test. Your local GP can help you work out the right intensity if you have any pre-existing health conditions.