Hawthorn to Kew Rail Trail

Hawthorn to Kew Rail Trail – Melbourne, VIC The Hawthorn to Kew Rail Trail is a short 1km shared trail through Melbourne’s inner eastern suburbs, following part of the former railway branch line that once connected Hawthorn and Kew. It’s an easy urban ride combining railway history, leafy parkland and some of Hawthorn’s impressive heritage streetscapes, all only around 9km from Melbourne’s CBD. The route begins near Power Street in Hawthorn, passing through tree-lined Grace Park before continuing alongside Glenferrie Oval and through L.E. Bray Park towards Hawthorn Grove. Surfaces vary between asphalt, concrete and crushed granite, with the northern section becoming narrower and a little rougher. The trail follows the alignment of the old Kew railway branch line, which opened in 1887 and closed in 1957. While much of the former railway corridor has since been redeveloped, this surviving section provides an interesting glimpse into Melbourne’s suburban railway history. With gentle terrain and no technical riding, it's suitable for mountain bikes, hybrids, touring bikes and recreational riders, as well as walkers, scooters, prams and wheelchairs. Its central location also makes it easy to incorporate into a longer exploration of Melbourne’s extensive cycling network. RTS Tip: At only 1km, this one is definitely about exploring rather than clocking up distance. Combine it with surrounding Hawthorn and Kew cycling routes for a longer ride, or simply enjoy a relaxed roll through Grace Park. Glenferrie Road is nearby, so it’s an easy one to pair with a coffee stop while exploring Melbourne by bike.