Wolgan Valley Rail Trail

Wolgan Valley Rail Trail – Newnes & Newnes Plateau The Wolgan Valley Rail Trail follows the remarkable route of the former Newnes railway, which once descended from the Newnes Plateau into the spectacular Wolgan Valley. The railway was built to service the shale-oil industry at Newnes and operated from 1907 until 1932, negotiating sandstone cliffs, deep cuttings and two tunnels on its roughly 50km journey. For cyclists, Rail Trails Australia currently identifies around 11km of the route towards Newnes as the main rail-trail riding section, with a mixture of coarse gravel, compacted earth and fine gravel. A mountain bike is the best choice, as this is much more of a rugged adventure ride than a smooth, groomed rail trail. The scenery is the real highlight. The old formation hugs the escarpment above the Wolgan Valley, with huge sandstone cliffs, forest and expansive valley views. Remnants of the railway can still be spotted along the way, although several former bridge sites have washed away and require steep detours around the old alignment. The railway’s most famous feature is the Glow Worm Tunnel walking track, a 387m former railway tunnel now home to thousands of glow worms. However, there’s an important distinction for riders: bicycles are not permitted on the 1.3km walking trail from the Glow Worm Tunnel car park through the tunnel, so bikes need to be left behind if you want to visit it. The approach along Glow Worm Tunnel Road also follows much of the former railway formation and can be cycled, but it remains an active gravel road used by 4WDs and trail bikes. This means riders can create a much bigger Newnes Plateau adventure, but shouldn't expect the entire historic 50km railway alignment to operate as a continuous dedicated cycle trail. For riders searching for Wolgan Valley cycling, Newnes mountain biking, Blue Mountains rail trails, gravel riding near Lithgow or Newnes Plateau bike rides, this is a fascinating combination of railway history, remote adventure riding and spectacular scenery. RTS Tip: This one needs a little planning. The 11km rail-trail section can be rough, with washed-out bridges, steep bypasses, fallen trees and rockfall possible, and Rail Trails Australia notes that parts may be slow enough that walking can be easier than riding. Take a MTB, carry plenty of water and repair gear, and use current mapping rather than assuming the historic railway formation is continuously rideable. If visiting the Glow Worm Tunnel, remember that the final section and tunnel itself are walking only