• This trail runs through the Dandenong Ranges from Clematis to Gembrook
• While only 15km, it offers a full range of experiences – hills, forests, farms, rural villages, picnic areas and the heritage railway
• It diverges from the narrow-gauge line in some places and has steeper gradients than a rail trail

Access Points

• Clematis: Former station car park beside Paradise Valley Hotel
• Emerald, Cockatoo and Gembrook: On-street parking
• Emerald Lake: Several car parks and toilets
• Many other parking and access points

Clematis to Emerald (3km)

• Trailhead is on Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, near the bottom of Menzies Rd. More parking near Paradise Valley Hotel, in the Clematis Station car park. Alternatively, you can catch Puffing Billy to Menzies Creek and walk from there
• Travel a short distance past the Clematis Station shelter before crossing the tracks and Edenmont Rd
• Trail parallels the north side of the tracks up Emerald Bank (if you’re lucky, you’ll see Puffing Billy working hard up this climb), before crossing Pinnocks Rd and the tracks
• Cross Belgrave-Gembrook Rd to enter Memorial Ave Reserve (southwest (right) side of tracks)
• There are many shops and eateries, including the famous Emerald Village Bakery, to your left

Emerald to Emerald Lake (3km)

• Cross railway line and Kilvington Drive. Trail resumes next to Gem Community Arts Centre
• Follow the blue recycled-plastic signs with yellow writing and arrows, which call the next section the Emerald-Cockatoo Trail
• After a short distance, cross into Pepi’s Land on the southern side of the tracks
• At Beaconsfield-Emerald Rd (C406), cross the tracks and road, taking care as it can be very busy
• Turn left on the shared path beside Princes Ave and then right past the Emerald Museum (see map).
• Follow main trail to Western Car Park and then Wombat Corner, home of a children’s camp

Emerald Lake to Cockatoo (5km)

• From Wombat Corner, pass beside the gate onto a beautiful, fern-lined trail that follows Wattle Creek, before crossing a sweeping shared bridge over it to arrive at Wright Rd
• Cross Wright Rd and follow the trail to the right until the railway is crossed again, this time near Wright Station
• Pass through the gates to the left and follow Wright Rd into Wright Forest
• Staying on Wright Rd, turn left before Baker St gate onto Boundary Tk and follow it down a steep decline
• Turn right, down another decline, to cross the shared bridge over Cockatoo Creek
• Continue on the trail into Cockatoo after crossing McBride St
• Continue up McBride St on the shared path crossing Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Rd (C411)
• Cockatoo has a good shopping precinct

Cockatoo to Gembrook (6km)

• The trail continues up Fairbridge Lane past a supermarket and turns right on Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, passing Cockatoo Primary School and going onto Old Gembrook Rd
• Continue along the trail until Doonaha Rd
• Cross the often-busy B-G Rd with care and continue on the trail beside Fielder Rd
• Another crossing of B-G Rd is needed at the intriguing Mapleridge Local Produce Centre
• The trail follows the railway corridor the rest of the way
• At the top of the hill, just after crossing Orchard Rd, is the Gembrook Sports Ground and your final track crossing chicane
• Continue on the trail and again cross B-G Rd on the outskirts of Gembrook
• Follow the trail along Station Rd to the end at Main St
• There are many shops and cafes in Gembrook, all on this thoroughfare

Explorer route

• For that immersive rail trail experience in Emerald Lake Park, walkers can follow Nobelius Tk and Nobelius Link Tk to stick closer to the railway line (see map)