Distance: 10km

Ascent: 50m

Difficulty: 1/10

Highlight: A relaxing, easy run in nature in the heart of Coffs Harbour 

Time to drive from Coffs Harbour: 0 Minutes

Description: Starting from the iconic Coffs Harbour Jetty, this route follows the Coffs Creek Walkway in an anti-clockwise loop. It combines well-maintained gravel paths, boardwalks and concrete paths that wind through mangroves and native vegetation.

For a longer run, you can extend your route run with a 2km detour through the Coffs Harbour Botanic Gardens where you might be lucky enough to spot the resident koalas.

Afterwards, cool off with a swim at the Coffs Harbour Jetty or enjoy a relaxing coffee at The Hub.

Coffs Harbour Running Festival is held on this route, a favourite of Steve Moneghetti who has raced here 10 times! 

Distance: 15km

Ascent: 750m

Difficulty: 7/10

Highlight: Run through beautiful rainforest on well signposted trails to visit the stunning Bangalore Falls. Significant birdlife and koala populations.

Time to drive from Coffs Harbour: 30 minutes

Description: This route starts at the end of Dairyville Road just after a shin high creek crossing (2WD friendly) where there is parking, an information board and signage. It immediately climbs 4.5km up Pine Road – a wide well maintained but steep forest road. Keep your eye out for koalas as you hike up this road. All trails in Bindarri National Park hold up well even after rain.

As you reach the top, you will be surrounded by stunning rainforest on an undulating and pleasant to run on forest roads. Follow the signposts to Bangalore Falls Picnic Area, where a toilet is located.

1km of rainforest singletrack from the picnic area will then take you down to the picturesque Bangalore Falls. Return the same way down Pine Road or via Jersey Bull Road which crosses the crystal clear Urumbilum River twice.

An alternative to this route is to drive up Eastern Dorrigo Way and start at the Ulong Cafe in the Valley. From the cafe you can follow Corfes Road that leads out to Bangalore Falls and follows more runnable terrain.

Rumble in the Jungle is held on this route.

Distance: 15km

Ascent: 160m

Difficulty: 4/10 

Highlight: Lovely forest trails and singletrack with potential koala sightings.

Time to drive from Coffs Harbour: 15 minutes

Description: The northern section of Bongil Bongil National Park, accessible from Sawtell, is ideal for an easy trail run.

Start from Lyons Road to avoid the main picnic area, which opens at 7:00 am and has amenities like toilets, signposts, and picnic tables.

The route includes three out-and-back sections: two on leafy management trails and one singletrack adjacent to Bonville Creek, which can be muddy but is the highlight of the run.

Distance: 10km

Ascent: 550m

Difficulty: 8/10. Leeches are common after rain.

Highlight: Sealy Lookout, beautiful rainforest trails, close to town

Time to drive from Coffs Harbour: 15 minutes

Description: Start at the award-winning Sealy Lookout (Niigi Niigi) with stunning views over Coffs Harbour, where a café and toilets are available. The trails from the lookout are steep and challenging, requiring some hiking, though the climbs are not particularly long.

The route includes a descent over End Peak to Swans Road, offering a lovely long descent through the rainforest to Swans Crossing Picnic Area. The technical rainforest singletracks pass a huge ‘grandfather’ tree and finish with a climb up Midway Trail, looping back to Sealy Lookout.

Distance: 17km

Ascent: 450m

Difficulty: 6/10

Highlight: Infinity Pool at halfway, swim at Scout Falls after

Time to drive from Coffs Harbour: 40 minutes

Description: Discover the secret Infinity Pool in Sherwood Nature Reserve, a small pool perched on the cliffside with stunning vistas over the hinterland and sandstone cliffs.

Starting from Scout Falls carpark, the route follows a rocky, steep trail up Sherwood Road, which then becomes pleasantly undulating for running.

Approximately 7 km along Sherwood Road, take an unmarked right turn onto Falls Road, leading to the escarpment edge.

Enjoy the views and a refreshing dip in the Infinity Pool before returning the same way.

 Distance: 10km

Ascent: 250m

Difficulty: 7/10

Highlight: Many plunge pools, mossy old bridge, Fig Tree Falls.

Time to drive from Coffs Harbour: 20 minutes

Description: Starting at Dingo Creek Waterhole, this route follows the main forest road for 2 km before turning right onto Carmadys Road. Cross a creek to see a small waterfall with a plunge pool, one of many known collectively as ‘Magic Pools’.

At 4 km, take the left-hand trail to reach an old wooden bridge. After crossing the creek under the bridge, turn right to cross another creek. When you hear Fig Tree Falls, look for a small track on the right to reach the base. Return the same way.

Important Notes: Do not drive beyond Dingo Creek Waterhole to Magic Pools or Fig Tree Falls due to damaged tracks. Load the route on your watch or phone as there are no signs. The area is very muddy after rain and attracts leeches. Extend the run by continuing the climb past Fig Tree Falls to Legge Lookout for a fantastic viewpoint.

Distance: 11km

Ascent: 200m

Difficulty: 3/10

Time to drive from Coffs Harbour: 45 minutes

Highlight: Simple route with beautiful surroundings. Swim in Never Never River.

Description: A popular summer location for swimming. We recommend parking at Arthur Keough Park just after the bridge at the Never Never River as the main carpark can be congested.

This route follows the Promised Land Road in a loop and is well signposted.

Road or trail shoes are fine.

This route is mostly gravel road surrounded by lovely vegetation with some undulations.

Distance: 11km

Ascent: 550m

Difficulty: 7/10. Unmarked singletracks and lots of leeches after rain.

Time to drive from Coffs Harbour: 15 minutes

Highlight: Singletrack to Wedds Road, lots of options to extend route

Description: Close to Coffs Harbour, the unofficial handcrafted singletrack is a local favourite for technical running. Starting from a side trail at Wedds Road, this route initially climbs up following the singletrack to the tower and then follows an undulating Peak Trail – a wider management trail that follows the ridgeline you can see from Bellingen. There are no signposts from the start so have the route pre-loaded.

It’s popular to turn around after 5km or at Bonville Peak trig station and enjoy a flowing singletrack descent back to Wedds Road. Or alternatively, once up on Peak Trail continues to it’s end for a full 25km out and back where you will have to tackle ‘That Steep Bit’ (difficulty 10/10) for amazing views at Legge Lookout (#17 on the list)

Distance: 12km

Ascent: 200m

Difficulty: 5/10

Highlight: Great coastal running with minimal beach

Time to drive from Coffs Harbour: 0 minutes

Description: Solitary Islands Coastal Walk is a 60km route with lighthouse markers, primarily on beach, from Red Rock to Bonville Headland. This run takes in the formed paths and trails of this route closer to Coffs Harbour. 

Starting from the iconic Coffs Harbour Jetty (or alternatively from Macauleys Headland carpark), follow the lighthouse markers of the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk north to Korora Beach and return the same way.

Once at Korora Beach, you can continue going further, but the route then mostly follows the beaches and involves a creek crossing at Moonee Beach.

tance: 10km

Ascent: 480m

Difficulty: 7/10

Time to drive from Coffs Harbour: 15 minutes

Highlight: Simple route up an iconic mountain providing great views

Description: Mt Coramba is one of the most distinctive peaks in Coffs Harbour, offering a challenging climb to an unofficial lookout at a phone tower with panoramic views. This route follows the main Mt Coramba Forest Road out and back in a long continuous climb to the top. While not particularly technical, it’s a great way to add elevation to your training without worrying about navigation.

For those seeking more adventure or elevation, there are alternative routes up Mt Coramba, such as Cyclone Trail, Morbid Trail, Commando Trail, Rocky Trail, and other steep 4WD tracks (10/10 difficulty).

Distance: 16km

Ascent: 400m

Difficulty: 4/10

Highlight: Quiet rainforest forest roads with Battery Falls at halfway

Time to drive from Coffs Harbour: 45 minutes

Description: Starting at the historic Old Hydro Mill site where Timmsvale Road turns to gravel west of Ulong, this route follows undulating forest roads through rainforest, making it great for running.

At 6 km, a signposted right-hand turn leads onto Battery Road, which you follow for another 2 km before taking a small hidden track to the waterfall.

You can extend this run by continuing on Battery Road after Battery Falls, then looping back on Timmsvale Road. Or visit the Arthur McQuilty Memorial Tree.

After the run, stop at the Cafe in the Valley or Ulong Ex-Services Club in Ulong for great mountain food and hospitality.

Distance: 6km

Ascent: 150m

Difficulty: 3/10

Highlights: Crystal Shower Falls, Tristania Falls, Dorrigo Skywalk, rainforest

Time to drive from Coffs Harbour: 1 hour

Description: The Wonga Walk starting at Dorrigo Rainforest Centre is a very popular walking loop but also a great short run with toilets, water and information boards. Start before 9:00am to beat the crowds.

On this route, you will pass Crystal Shower Falls and Tristania Falls as you run through World Heritage listed rainforest. Finish at the Dorrigo Skywalk.

Distance: 9km

Ascent: 450m

Difficulty: 7/10

Highlight: Steep forest roads

Time to drive from Coffs Harbour: 15 minutes

Description: Scenic but steep, this run follows the Korora Escarpment along Rover Trail – a well renowned 4WD track that will be sure to get your heart pumping.

Enjoy a lovely pocket of rainforest at the bottom of Polyosma Road.

Hiking poles are helpful on the steep descents.

Distance: 20km

Ascent: 800m

Difficulty: 7/10. Lots of leeches after rain.

Highlight: Amazing rainforest singletrack, route options, many waterfalls

Time to drive from Coffs Harbour: 1 hour 15 minutes

Description: Arguably some of the best rainforest singletracks on the North Coast which passes by many waterfalls.

Start at the Never Never Picnic Area in Dorrigo National Park, where there is a toilet and information board.

This route takes in all the tracks on offer, starting with the short Rosewood Creek Track passing Coachwood Falls and extending it with a steep out and back to Red Cedar Falls. You could then loop back to the car or follow the route down to Casuarina Falls, along the Blackbutt Track passing Callicoma Falls and loop back to the car along Dome Road.

Distance: 6.5km

Ascent: 100m

Difficulty: 3/10

Highlight: Coastal singletrack, Woolgoolga Headland views, finish with a swim.

Time to drive from Coffs Harbour: 20 minutes

Description: Woolgoolga offers beautiful coastal running with a mix of headlands, coastal vistas, and bush. Start at Woolgoolga Beach Reserve and follow the singletracks of Woolgoolga Lake to Safety Beach.

Extend the route by running to Lakeside Caravan Park and along the trail to the pedestrian footbridge, or continue north along the golf course path to connect to Mullaway (#19 on this list).

At low tide, cross the lake where it meets the sea and run back on the beach, or return the same way. Finish by running up to Woolgoolga Headland for great views north and south.

Distance: 13.5km

Ascent: 1,000m

Difficulty: 9/10. Snakes common when hot and leeches common when wet

Highlight: Steep rainforest singletrack, views from Lanes Lookout

Time to drive from Coffs Harbour: 40 minutes

Description: Experience one of the longest continuous climbs in NSW through World Heritage-listed rainforest singletrack. Starting at the end of Adams Lane, the Syndicate Track crosses farmland before plunging into Dorrigo National Park.

The Syndicate Track is very steep, with some sections averaging over a 20% gradient. At the top, Lanes Lookout provides great views over the valley. Extend the run by following the undulating trail along Killungoondie Plain.

Distance: 16km

Ascent: 850m

Difficulty: 10/10

Highlight: Steep terrain, amazing views

Time to drive from Coffs Harbour: 30 minutes

Description: Prepare your climbing legs for this mountainous adventure up one of the roughest tracks in the region, leading to an expansive lookout over the Bellinger Valley.

Start at a stunning waterhole for a post-run swim, then head out on forest roads to Magic Pools and Fig Tree Falls (#6 on this list) before climbing. At the top, Legge Lookout offers arguably the best views in the region.

The first half descent is extremely challenging with wet rocks and gnarly terrain—bring poles. Once back on Peak Trail, enjoy a gentler descent down Frontage Creek Rd.

Distance: 24km

Ascent: 850m

Difficulty: 7/10

Highlight: A classic ‘Sea to Summit’ route with great varied terrain. 

Time to drive from Coffs Harbour: 50 minutes

Description: Starting on the beach at Grassy Head, this long run route takes you on forest roads to The Pines Picnic Area where there is a toilet. A shortened version of the run could turn around at The Pines Picnic Area for 10km total. 

After The Pines Picnic Area, it is a long sustained climb up the forest road to Mt Yarrahapinni. There are great views over to South West Rocks at the lookout.

Climbing slightly higher will take you to the trig point and phone towers at the summit.

This route descends via the eastern ridge to make it a loop and enjoy a well earnt swim at the beautiful Grassy Head Beach.

Distance: 7km

Ascent: 50m

Difficulty: 3/10

Highlight: Mix of coastal trails, beach and headlands. Great for an easy run.

Time to drive from Coffs Harbour: 30 minutes

Description: Starting at Mullaway Beach, head out up the firetrail before crossing Arrawarra Headland Rd to enter Garby Nature Reserve.

Western Boundary Trail in Garby Nature Reserve passes through low lying then tall vegetation with lots of yellow-tail black cockatoos.

This route loops back via Darkum Road, Cabins Beach and around Mullaway Headland. Enjoy a lovely swim at the quiet Mullaway Beach.

Extend this run when at Darkum Road by continuing straight along the bike path to connect to Woolgoolga (#15 on this list)

Distance: 13km

Ascent: 250m

Difficulty: 4/10

Highlight: Simple undulating forest road

Time to drive from Coffs Harbour: 15 minutes

Description: Settles Road off Bucca Road in Orara East State Forest is an easily accessible and easy to follow route along an undulating forest road. 

The out and back nature of the route makes it ideal for beginners and the hills are runnable.

Off Bucca Road, there are also a number of easy to follow undulating forest roads that are great for an easy run. These are generally well signposted.

These include Sherwood Road, Boyds Road, Eastern Boundary Road, Store Road, Cottage Road and McRaes Road.