Upper Health Side Trail

Upper Health Side Trail in Roberts Creek is a quiet, low-key loop that feels a lot more remote than its stats suggest. At 5.8 km with about 202 m of gain and a high point around 438 m, it’s classed as easy and usually takes around 1 hour 45 minutes, but the real draw is the deep green forest and calm atmosphere. If you want a mellow Sunshine Coast hike away from crowds, this one delivers.

The loop winds through classic Roberts Creek rainforest, with thick moss, ferns, and plenty of big old cedars along the way. Parts of the Upper Health Side Trail follow a service road, which is less exciting but makes for easy walking and a chance to look around instead of down at your feet. The forest sections feel cool and shaded, and on clear days you get those nice shafts of sunlight cutting through the trees.

Recent reports say the trail is rustic but mostly well marked, with a very steep section near the creek toward the end of the loop, so be ready for a short but punchy climb. Bridges are showing their age and a few planks are missing, so watch your step, especially in wet weather. Upper Health Side Trail is hikeable year-round thanks to the lower elevation, but expect mud, slick roots, and slower going after heavy rain, and bring decent footwear and maybe poles if you’re not a fan of steep, uneven descents.