Railway Reserves Heritage Trail

The Railway Reserves Heritage Trail is one of the classic cycling routes of the Perth Hills, Western Australia, retracing 59 km of the historic Eastern Railway through Bellevue, Greenmount, Swan View, Parkerville, Stoneville, Mount Helena, Boya, Darlington, Glen Forrest, Mundaring, Sawyers Valley, Chidlow and Wooroloo. The trail follows old railway formations through jarrah and marri forest, rocky cuttings and historic Hills villages, making it ideal for gravel bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids and e-bikes. Gentle railway gradients make much of the route approachable for recreational riders, although completing the full network is a substantial day out. One of the best features is the unusual 41 km Bellevue–Mount Helena loop. Two former railway alignments leave Bellevue on opposite sides of Great Eastern Highway before rejoining at Mount Helena. The northern route is approximately 19 km and travels through Swan View, John Forrest National Park, Parkerville and Stoneville, while the southern route is approximately 22 km through Boya, Darlington, Glen Forrest, Mundaring and Sawyers Valley. This allows riders to combine both historic railway lines into a brilliant full-day Perth Hills cycling loop without simply retracing the same route. The northern section contains some of the trail's biggest attractions. Through John Forrest National Park, riders encounter the historic Swan View Tunnel, old railway cuttings, three surviving timber trestle bridges and access to seasonal Hovea Falls and National Park Falls. The Swan View Tunnel was part of the railway deviation opened in 1896, while the wider Eastern Railway corridor played a major role in opening the Perth Hills to settlement, timber milling and transport. The southern route has a different character, passing directly through several Perth Hills communities. Riders travel via Darlington, Glen Forrest, Mahogany Creek, Mundaring and Sawyers Valley, with plenty of opportunities to stop at cafés, parks and historic sites. At Mundaring, the trail passes the former railway station area and Mundaring Sculpture Park, while the surrounding trail network provides connections towards Mundaring Weir and the Munda Biddi Trail. From Mount Helena, the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail continues another 18 km east to Wooroloo, passing through Chidlow. This section overlaps with the Kep Track, which continues much farther east towards Northam. Chidlow also provides an easy detour to Lake Leschenaultia, where riders can add a lap of the lake or explore its MTB trails. Access to the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail itself is free, with numerous entry points and parking areas in the towns along the route. A national park entry fee can apply if entering through the main visitor area of John Forrest National Park. The trail is shared by walkers, cyclists and horse riders, although horses and dogs are not permitted within the John Forrest National Park section. RTS Tip: For one of the best Perth Hills gravel rides, tackle the 41 km Bellevue–Mount Helena loop, using one railway alignment on the way out and the other for the return. For something shorter, Mundaring–Mount Helena, Swan View–Parkerville or Mount Helena–Chidlow are great options. As of August 2026, bridge works are affecting part of the route near Falls Road, with cyclists required to dismount between Owen Road and Falls Road, so check current trail conditions before setting out.