Huddle Park Golf & Recreation: An “Impromptu” Walk with Pepper

You know those people who just "go with the flow?"

Yes, well I don’t even own a flow.

Impromptu and I have a complicated relationship - mostly me pretending to be fine while silently panicking inside.

So when my son, Pepper decided he needed to “get out of the house,” I wasn’t about to resist, even though I had a to-do list, and hiking was (quite shockingly) not on it.

But the last time Pepper had one of his “must get out” moments, it was the start of my journey into becoming an obsessive hiker. And honestly? I'll never look back.

The Great Debate: Where To Go

What was meant to be a quick outing turned into a lengthy debate about where to go. After eliminating every destination that involved any real distance - or, actual hiking, we decided on Huddle Park.

It’s local. It’s familiar. It doesn’t require a five-hour survival mission. Perfect for a quick, impromptu walk.

The Not-So-Hiking Walking Trail

Now, although Huddle Park technically has a walking trail, it feels more like an afterthought.

The place has everything — possibly even an underground civilization — but the walking trail? That’s more of a “since you’re already here for literally everything else, take a quick lap” kind of situation.

And although Huddle was where my hiking obsession started, I quickly outgrew it. I began to feel like the walkers/hikers were the forgotten middle children of the park - tolerated, but not exactly celebrated.

So, on this visit - our first in almost two years - Pepper and I, now self-proclaimed “seasoned hikers,” weren’t too worried about getting lost forever....in a fenced park… in a suburb… within walking distance of a Woolies. Oh, how far we’ve come.

So we wandered.

Which is how we may have accidentally-on-purpose ended up on the mountain bike trail.

Confessions of a Trail Rebel

Before anyone reports me to the mountain biking authorities, I swear — the trails were empty. Not a single biker in sight. Just me, Pepper, and the faint, nagging feeling that we were breaking some unspoken trail law.

And can we talk about something I’ve long suspected?

When a place has both walking and biking trails… the bikers always win. Their routes are prettier, wilder, and way more fun. Ours? Basically the park’s afterthought.

Fortunately no bikers were harmed, and no arrests were made (though Pepper definitely would’ve pled the fifth).

The Moral of the Story

Sometimes the “impromptu” plan turns out to be the best one.

And sometimes, breaking a tiny trail rule makes for a way better walk....But hey - you didn’t hear that from me.

RATINGS

Trail Information

AREA

Linksfield

Trail Details

TRAIL DIFFICULTY

Literally a park walk.

TRAIL MARKERS

Still haven’t cracked their secret code. Proceed with confidence… or confusion.

AMENITIES

Huddle Park has everything. And I mean everything:

Golf course & driving range

Trails for MTB, walking/running, and dog walking

Car wash (because obviously)

Five a side soccer

Padel and Pickleball courts

CrossFit gym

Function & event facilities

And if that’s not enough, there are a couple coffee shops scattered around the establishment.

NOTE TO SELF

Summer is here.....keep for a rainy day… when you're dumped…

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Absolutely

PET FRIENDLY

Totally. I’m not 100% sure if dogs have to be on a leash, but I’ve seen plenty of off-leash freedom on most of my visits.

Lovely coffee shop

ON A FINAL NOTE

Dear Huddle (if you’re listening): you’re doing amazing, sweetie - the upgrades, the new stuff, the energy. Love it. Truly.

But maybe, just maybe, spare a thought for us humble walkers and hikers. We bring the crowds, the coffee runs, post flattering photos for free.and offer unsolicited trail feedback. We’re basically your unpaid PR team.

And yes, I’m absolutely available for trail advice. My rates are negotiable — coffee accepted as currency.

(TO)SOLO OR (NO)SOLO

Definitely (TO)SOLO.

And if you happen to bump into a slightly lost woman on the mountain bike trail…

No, you didn’t.