Go Back To Trail Finder
Trail Open

Railway Reserves Heritage Trail

Western Australia

5 based on 2 reviews
Location: 19km East of Perth
Length: 59 km
Surface: Coarse gravel, Compacted earth, Fine gravel
Start / End: Bellevue to Wooroloo
Public Transport: Bus, Train
Suitable for:
  • Cycling – Mountain BikesCycling – Mountain Bikes
  • Cycling – Touring and Hybrid BikesCycling – Touring and Hybrid Bikes
  • Horse RidingHorse Riding
  • WalkingWalking

  • Rail Trail
  • On Road
  • Potential RT
  • Other Trail
  • Former Railway
View Map
  • Retraces 59 kilometres of the old Eastern Railway that linked Fremantle with York in the late 1880s
  • A TrailsWA ‘Top Trail’, it is the perfect place to relax and unwind as it takes in the flora, fauna and landscapes of the Darling Range and John Forrest National Park
  • The surface is a mix of well compacted dirt, coarse gravel and loose gravel
  • Gentle gradients

Nearby Attractions

  • quaint hills communities including Darlington, Parkerville and Mundaring
  • a wide range of terrain with views and points of historical and natural significance
  • accessible from many of the townsites in the Shire of Mundaring, 40 minutes’ drive from Perth
  • from Wooroloo you can pick up the signs for Kep Track to continue your journey all the way to Northam.

Last updated: 9 December 2022

  • the trail begins at Bellevue and forms a 41 km loop at Mt Helena entirely on railway formations, before extending 18 km to Wooroloo Reserve.

The Railway Reserves Trail has three sections:

  • the northern section is 19 km and starts in Bellevue, passing through John Forrest National Park, Parkerville and Stoneville, and finishing at Mt Helena
  • the southern section is 22 km and starts in Bellevue, passing Darlington, Glen Forrest and Mundaring before joining the northern section at Mt Helena
  • the eastern section is 18 km and starts in Mt Helena, passing through Childow and ending in Woorooloo. This section overlaps with the Kep Track

Section Guides

Northern section 

Bellevue to Mt Helena (19 km)

  • the northern section takes you through John Forrest National Park.  Take in views of Perth, visit National Park Falls, Hovea Falls or take a diversion along the Eagle View Walk Trail
  • home to the Swan View Tunnel, the oldest rail tunnel in WA. Three wooden trestle bridges remain as evidence of the trail’s railway past
  • food and drink are available just off the trail in Parkerville and Mt Helena
  • the only public toilets on this section are in Mt Helena

 

Southern section 

Bellevue to Mount Helena (22 km) 

  • starts in Bellevue and is a steady 15 km climb to Mundaring. The gradient is gentle and there are many opportunities to stop for food and drink on the way
  • passes through Mundaring Community Sculpture Park on the site of Mundaring Railway Station. The Munda Biddi northern terminus trailhead is also here
  • public toilets at Darlington, Glen Forrest and Mundaring

 

Eastern section

Mount Helena to Woorooloo (22 km) 

  • the northern and southern sections meet at Mt Helena and then continue on a route shared with the Kep Track to Woorooloo
  • Chidlow Tavern has retained much of its charm, with refurbishments aimed at recapturing the tavern’s origin as a railway station
  • detour from the trail to Lake Leschenaultia, where there is a trail around the lake and opportunities for swimming and canoeing

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.

RideOnE:  http://www.rideone.com.au/ or 08 6117 4114. Urban and mountain ebike hire in Midvale, which is only a short ride to the southern trail head for the Railway Reserves Heritage 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.

2 reviews of “Railway Reserves Heritage Trail”

Highly recommended! This is a fantastic trail for gravel/mountain bikes, especially if you are looking to do a loop route. My suggestion is to park at Swan View, then ride downhill to the Bellevue trail head. From there, head uphill to Mundaring, then across to Mount Helena. You will be rewarded with a fun downhill through Stoneville and Parkerville, into John Forrest National park. Great views of the city as you near the end. The trail can be pretty busy on weekends, so please reduce speed when approaching pedestrians.

Background Information

Traditional owners

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

Rail line history 

The trail follows the former Eastern Railway to York; it opened to Chidlow via Mundaring in 1884 and Wooroloo in 1885. A deviation via Parkerville opened in 1896. The Mundaring (Southern) loop closed in 1954 and the main line closed in 1966. It was converted to a rail trail in the 1980s.

Free ebook available covering Railway Reserves Heritage Trail in WA

Posted: 04/09/22

The Department of Mines, Industries and Resources (DMIRS) in WA has a free ebook available ...

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
Kalamunda Railway Heritage Trail

Kalamunda Railway Heritage Trail

25km south east of Perth

16 km
Kep Track

Kep Track

39km east of Perth

75 km
Jarrahdale 1872 Timber Tramway

Jarrahdale 1872 Timber Tramway

50km south east of Perth

10 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