21st May 2025

Soft Hiking Is the New Self-Care

(And It’s Not About the View — It’s About You)

Alright, so here’s the thing.
We know hiking has a certain rep. It’s often linked with early starts, sweaty climbs, trail mix you didn’t really want, and someone shouting “almost there!” when you’ve still got three hills to go. But what if we told you… it doesn’t have to be like that?

There’s a new kind of hiking in Perth on the rise. It’s not about personal bests, beating elevation, or smashing a summit.

It’s about slowing down.
Breathing deeply.
Letting nature do what it does best — calm the chaos in your head.

Welcome to Soft Hiking in WA.
And trust us — you’re going to want to try this.

So What Is Soft Hiking, Anyway?

Let’s put it simply: Soft Hiking is hiking… minus the hustle.

It’s for the walkers who don’t care about the finish line. The ones who want to feel the ground under their feet, not count every step on their smartwatch. It’s hiking for beginners in Perth who’ve had a week — or a year — and just want to breathe again.

It’s slow, mindful, and made for everyone.

That’s right. You don’t need to be “outdoorsy,” fit, or own trail shoes. You don’t need a walking stick, a step goal, or a love of hills. You just need a desire to feel a little more like yourself again.

Because this kind of hiking isn’t about performance — it’s about presence.
It’s what we call therapeutic hiking WA — and it’s changing how we connect with the outdoors.

Why Soft Hiking Is the Reset You Didn’t Know You Needed

Let’s be real — most of us are fried. Our brains are juggling a million tabs, our calendars are stacked, and our phones… well, they never shut up.

We crave peace, but we don’t know how to find it.

That’s where Soft Hiking in Perth Hills sneaks in like a gentle breeze and whispers:
“You could just go for a walk. And not rush.”

You’d be surprised what happens when you do.

“I didn’t hike for the view. I hiked because I forgot how to breathe.”

We’ve heard that line — or something like it — from hundreds of hikers. Because when you slow down on the trail, you give yourself something so many of us are desperate for: space.

Studies show that spending even 20 minutes in nature can lower cortisol — your body’s main stress hormone. But we’re not here to throw research at you. We’re here to talk about what feels true.

And what feels true is this: Soft Hiking just hits different.

It’s Hiking for Your Head, Not Your Strava

Soft hiking in WA is the opposite of the hustle.

You’re not hiking to burn calories. You’re hiking to burn off the mental load.
You’re not trying to be impressive. You’re trying to feel human.

“This hike reset more in me than three therapy sessions.”
(No offence to therapists — we love you too.)

It’s the forest equivalent of putting your phone on Do Not Disturb.
A moving meditation.
A bushwalk where it’s socially acceptable — encouraged, even — to cry a little, walk in silence, or lie on a rock and watch the clouds.

This is mental health hiking WA — without the pressure.

What Does a Soft Hike Actually Look Like?

It’s a cool Sunday morning. You’ve got your comfiest jumper on, a thermos of tea in your backpack, and absolutely zero need to prove anything to anyone.

The group is small. The pace is slow. You walk, you stop, you listen to the wind in the trees. Maybe you journal. Maybe you just sit. There’s no right way to do it.

You might walk 5km, or you might walk 2. What matters is that you showed up — for yourself.

No rush. No rules. Just the bush, your breath, and the permission to go gently.
It’s the ultimate self-care hiking experience in WA.

The Best Trails in WA for Soft Hiking

Luckily for us, hiking holidays in Western Australia are filled with trails that are big on beauty and light on intensity.

Here are a few favourites for when you’re not in the mood to push hard — just to move slowly and breathe deep.

• John Forrest National Park hiking
  Meandering creekside trails and wildflowers in bloom. Kangaroos, waterfalls, and that fresh eucalyptus smell that clears your head like nothing else.
• Yanchep Lagoon Coastal Walk
  Ocean breeze, limestone cliffs, and salty serenity. This one’s perfect for a soft walk near Perth and a deep chat with a friend.
• Dwellingup Forest Trails
  Giant trees, earthy smells, and total tranquillity. One of the best places to get blissfully lost in thought. 

What to Bring on a Soft Hike (Hint: Less Is More)

Soft hiking gear tips aren’t about over-packing. You really only need:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• A water bottle
• A snack (we’re big on banana bread)
• A journal, if you’re feeling introspective
• A thermos of tea — because hot drinks in the bush just hit different 

No tech, no gadgets, no gear envy. Just you and the basics.
That’s what makes eco-friendly hiking in WA so liberating.

Real Hikers, Real Feels

“There was no pressure to talk or push through. Just stillness. Just breathing. Just me.”
“I used to think hiking was only for ‘fit people.’ Then I joined a soft hike and realised it’s for anyone who just wants peace.”
“It’s the first time in months I felt like myself again.”

These are real words from real people who showed up and softened into something beautiful. Once you try guided soft hiking in Perth, it’s hard to go back to any other kind.

Want to Try Soft Hiking? Here’s How

We run soft hiking tours in WA that are intentionally designed to be:

• Gentle on the body
• Nourishing for the mind
• Free of pressure, pace, or pretence 

Each one is led by a guide who understands this isn’t about distance — it’s about depth.

Whether you’re brand new to hiking or just need a mental reset, you’ll feel right at home. No competition. No expectations. Just a beautiful trail and a small group of people who are there to slow down with you.

Explore our Perth hiking tours and join us when you’re ready.

Be Part of the Soft Hiking Movement

We’d love to hear your Soft Hiking Perth story.
What did you feel? What did you leave behind? What did you discover?

Share your reflections on social and tag @thehikecollective using the hashtag #SoftHiking. We’re building a community of people who believe in moving gently — and we’d love for you to be part of it.

And if you’re reading this and thinking, “Wow, I really needed this today,” that’s your sign.

Go gently.
Walk slow.
Breathe deep.
And let the trail meet you where you are.