Railton to Sheffield Rail Trail

The Railton to Sheffield Rail Trail is a scenic 12–13 km cycling and walking trail in North West Tasmania, linking the Town of Topiary at Railton with Sheffield, the famous Town of Murals, beneath the impressive backdrop of Mount Roland. Following much of the former Railton–Roland railway line, the trail travels through farmland, forest and bushland, with old railway cuttings and embankments adding plenty of character. The predominantly compacted-earth and gravel surface makes it best suited to mountain bikes, gravel bikes and hybrids with wider tyres. The railway between Railton and Sheffield opened in 1914, forming part of a branch line that once continued towards Roland before closing in 1957. Today the old corridor provides a mostly off-road journey between the two towns, although there is a short road section near Railton. Riders pass through places including Stoodley and Sykes Sanctuary, with the scenery becoming increasingly impressive as Mount Roland dominates the skyline approaching Sheffield. The ride is generally considered easy, but don't expect a perfectly groomed urban rail trail. The surface can be rough and uneven in places, and recent trail information notes longer grass can occur around the Sheffield end. Riding from Railton to Sheffield involves a gentle overall climb, making the return journey the easier direction. Allow roughly an hour each way for a confident rider, or take longer and make a relaxed half-day trip of the approximately 24 km return ride. A major reason to ride this route is its connection with the much larger Wild Mersey Mountain Bike Trails. Wild Mersey now provides more than 98 km of riding across Latrobe, Railton and Sheffield, and the modern MTB connection between Railton and Sheffield includes the easy Railton Rattler trail. This makes the area a brilliant base for combining a relaxed rail-trail ride with purpose-built singletrack, flow trails and more technical mountain biking. The Railton–Sheffield corridor also forms part of the Tasmanian Trail, the approximately 480 km multi-use route stretching from Devonport to Dover. For most riders, though, the two towns make natural endpoints: explore Railton's quirky topiary, then finish beneath Mount Roland among Sheffield's famous murals, cafés and heritage attractions. RTS Tip: Start in Railton and ride towards Sheffield so you tackle the gradual uphill first and enjoy the easier return. If you've brought a mountain bike, don't stop at the rail trail — combine it with the Wild Mersey MTB network for a much bigger North West Tasmania riding day. The old rail trail can be rougher than its easy grading suggests, so wider tyres are worthwhile, and download the route before setting off. If you're visiting in summer, be prepared for longer grass on some sections and check current trail conditions before riding.