Sidings Rail Trail

The Sidings Rail Trail, near Nannup in Western Australia’s South West, is a scenic 26 km one-way cycling and walking trail between Jarrahwood and Nannup. Following the former Nannup Branch Railway, the route winds through jarrah and marri forest, farmland and the St Johns Brook valley, passing old railway cuttings, sidings and timber bridges along the way. The generally wide gravel trail and gentle railway gradients make it an easy MTB ride, particularly suitable for mountain bikes, gravel bikes, touring bikes and families comfortable with the distance. The trail can be ridden in either direction, with access available from Nannup Foreshore Park or Jarrahwood. From Jarrahwood the route generally descends towards St Johns Brook before reaching Cambray Siding, where riders can connect with the Old Timberline Trail. From there, the Sidings route continues through forest and farmland before reaching the Blackwood River and Nannup. Surfaces can vary from smooth gravel to loose, muddy or uneven sections, particularly following wet weather. One of the biggest attractions is the trail’s connection to the Munda Biddi Trail. The Sidings Rail Trail forms part of this iconic long-distance off-road cycling route, giving riders an accessible taste of the much larger journey between Mundaring and Albany. It also preserves the area's timber and railway history: the original railway was developed to transport timber, reached Nannup via Cambray Siding in 1909, and remained in operation until 1984. For a bigger adventure, join the Sidings Rail Trail with the 22 km Old Timberline Trail at Cambray Road to create the approximately 48 km Timberline Loop. The Old Timberline section follows St Johns Brook past Workmans Pool, Barrabup Pool and Sleeper Hewers Campsite, making this an excellent full-day ride or relaxed overnight bikepacking trip. RTS Tip: There is currently an important diversion on the Sidings Rail Trail. A 6.14 km section is closed because of the closure of the St John Brook Bridge, with a 13.7 km marked diversion in place. Do not enter the closed section and download the current diversion map before riding. Mobile coverage is also unreliable, so save your maps offline and carry sufficient water, food and repair gear. For the ultimate Nannup ride, tackle the Timberline Loop, but factor the current diversion into your distance and timing.