Go Back To Trail Finder
Trail Open

Kalamunda Railway Heritage Trail

Western Australia

Location: 25km south east of Perth
Length: 16 km
Surface: Compacted earth, Fine gravel
Start / End: Gooseberry Hill to Pickering Brook
Public Transport: Bus
Suitable for:
  • Cycling – Mountain BikesCycling – Mountain Bikes
  • Cycling – Touring and Hybrid BikesCycling – Touring and Hybrid Bikes
  • WalkingWalking

  • Rail Trail
  • On Road
  • Potential RT
  • Other Trail
  • Former Railway
View Map
  • This rail trail follows the alignment of the Upper Darling Range Railway which ran from Midland to Karragullen
  • Recent trail upgrade between Walliston and Pickering Brook offers separate sections for walkers and cyclists

Nearby Attractions

  • the Zig Zag which enabled trains to climb the steep grades of the Darling Escarpment, now form part of a downhill scenic drive
  • team locomotive ‘G118’ is displayed at Kalamunda Station in Kalamunda History Village

Last updated: 9 December 2022

The formalised part of the rail trail starts near the top of the Zig Zag. It runs through the Kalamunda town centre and finishes near the site of the Walliston Railway Station.

South of Walliston, it is possible to follow the alignment of the railway to Pickering Brook using a combination of gravel roads, sealed roads and single-track. This section is only recommended for more confident users.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Mountain biking: https://www.rockandrollmountainbiking.com.au/ or 0410 949 182. Located in Paulls Valley which are 7-10 kms from the rail trail.

Do you know of a bike hire or transportation service on this rail trail that should appear here? If so, let us know at admin@railtrails.org.au.

Advertise your business here

Leave a Review

You must be logged in to post a review.

Background Information

Traditional owners

We acknowledge the Whadjuk people, the traditional custodians of the land and waterways on which the rail trail is constructed.

Development and future of the rail trail

The 2017 Kalamunda Bike Plan highlights the opportunity of connecting the Zig Zag through to Roe Highway via the old rail alignment, thereby linking this rail trail to Perth’s Principal Shared Path (PSP) network.

Stage 2 of the Hills Loop Trail proposes to loop from Pickering Brook back to Kalamunda through parts of the trails network to the east.

 

 Rail line history

The Upper Darling Range Railway was a branch railway from Midland Junction,  that rose up the southern side of the Helena Valley and on to the Darling Scarp via the Kalamunda Zig Zag.  It was the only section of railway in Western Australia to have had a zig zag formation at the time of construction.

It was built by the Canning Jarrah Timber Company to supply railway sleepers to Western Australia’s railway system.

It was opened between Midland and Canning Mills in 1891 and extended to Karragullen in 1912. The line closed in 1949.

Upgrades to Kalamunda Railway Heritage Trail

Posted: 27/10/20

The City of Kalamunda in Western Australia has recently completed upgrades to the southern part ...

More...

Temporary closure of Zig Zag to benefit WA rail trail users

Posted: 23/04/20

The City of Kalamunda has announced they will be closing the Kalamunda Zig Zag scenic ...

More...
Trail descriptions are maintained by volunteers. Please consider a donation to help improve this website. Rail Trails Australia gets no government funding.
Share

Nearby Trails

Mundaring Weir Rail Trail

Mundaring Weir Rail Trail

39 km east of Perth

7 km
Railway Reserves Heritage Trail

Railway Reserves Heritage Trail

19km East of Perth

59 km
Jarrahdale 1872 Timber Tramway

Jarrahdale 1872 Timber Tramway

50km south east of Perth

10 km
Kep Track

Kep Track

39km east of Perth

75 km
Jarrahdale Balmoral Rail Trail

Jarrahdale Balmoral Rail Trail

50km south east of Perth

11 km
Tullis Bridge Walk Trail

Tullis Bridge Walk Trail

135 km south east of Perth

9 km
Ranford Pool Walk Trail

Ranford Pool Walk Trail

135 km south east of Perth

2 km

Nearby Trails