Walhalla Goldfields Rail Trail

The Walhalla Goldfields Rail Trail, now commonly referred to as the Erica to Thomson Rail Trail, is a rugged 7.3 km one-way ride through the Baw Baw Ranges in Gippsland, Victoria. Following the formation of the former narrow-gauge railway between Erica and Thomson Station, the trail winds through tall mountain forest, deep railway cuttings and ferny gullies with impressive views across the Thomson River valley. The surface is predominantly compacted earth and gravel, with rougher sections making it best suited to mountain bikes and capable hybrids rather than road bikes. Starting near Erica Recreation Reserve, riders follow the old railway formation through mountain ash forest before reaching Knotts Cutting, where a steep diversion crosses Tyers–Walhalla Road. Beyond here, the trail twists alongside Nelson Creek and around the remarkable Horseshoe Bend, where the railway curve was once so tight that passengers at the rear of the train could see the locomotive travelling in almost the opposite direction. Further along, riders pass the replica station shelter at Platina and travel beneath the original road bridge at Coopers Creek Road before gaining beautiful views over the Thomson River valley. The final approach to Thomson is considerably rougher, with narrow detours around the remains of two former railway bridges where cyclists may need to dismount. The railway itself opened between Moe and Walhalla in 1910, built to serve the once-booming Walhalla goldfields. Unfortunately, by the time the railway arrived, much of the gold rush had already passed. The line eventually closed in stages, with the final Moe–Erica section closing in 1954. Today, the section between Thomson and Walhalla has been rebuilt as the heritage Walhalla Goldfields Railway, preserving an extraordinary piece of Victorian railway history. One important point for riders is that the rail trail does not continue as a bike trail from Thomson into Walhalla. The railway operates on that section, while Walhalla Road is narrow and not recommended for cycling. When services are operating, bikes can be carried aboard the heritage train, making a train trip from Thomson into Walhalla an excellent addition to the ride. RTS Tip: Despite its relatively short distance, don't treat this like a smooth family rail trail. The rough surface, steep diversions, debris and missing bridge crossings give it a genuine MTB-adventure feel. An out-and-back from Erica is around 14.6 km, or organise your ride around a heritage train service from Thomson. Also note that the railway reserve is leased by the Walhalla Goldfields Railway, which does not maintain or endorse the Erica–Thomson section as a rail trail, so check current conditions before setting out.