The Railway Reserves Heritage Trail follows the old Eastern Railway through the Perth Hills. Here's my favourite stretch, starting in Darlington.
Walking where the trains used to run
Long before the highway, the main way into the Perth Hills was the Eastern Railway, which wound its way up through Darlington, Glen Forrest and Mundaring. The trains stopped running decades ago, but the old line is now the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail, a gentle gravel trail for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
My favourite place to start is Darlington, one of the prettiest villages in the hills.
Quick facts
- Where: Starts near the old Darlington station site, about 30 minutes from the city.
- Trail: Railway Reserves Heritage Trail, about 59 km in total on the old Eastern Railway.
- Difficulty: Easy. The old rail line has a gentle grade that feels flat.
- Surface: Mostly firm gravel. A hybrid or mountain bike works best.
- Who can use it: Walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
- Summer: Go early, take water and check fire weather warnings.
“This railway heritage trail is a flat and very easy track also accessible with baby prams.”
bluebay06, Tripadvisor review
Why it’s so easy
Steam trains couldn’t handle steep hills, so the line was built with a gentle grade. That makes it one of the easiest trails in the hills. It feels flat, even though you’re climbing slowly through the forest.
The trail network covers about 59 km in total, so you can do as much or as little as you like. The Shire of Mundaring has maps and access points.
My Darlington stretch
I start near the old Darlington station site and head east towards Glen Forrest. The trail runs through tall gums and past backyards, creek crossings and wildflowers in spring. It’s quiet, shady in places and very peaceful.
Walk an hour out and back, or keep going to Glen Forrest for a coffee before turning around.
“This is my go-to when I want a long walk but don’t want to think about hills. You just follow the old line and let your legs do the rest.”
Alex Hamilton, Editor
On a bike
The trail is great on a bike. The surface is mostly firm gravel, so a hybrid or mountain bike works best. Further west, the trail runs through John Forrest National Park and the Swan View Tunnel. See my guide to walking through the Swan View Tunnel for that section. The trail also passes close to Mundaring, so you can finish with a drive out to Mundaring Weir.
“We rode our bikes along the wide flat trail and enjoyed all the sounds and sights nature has to offer.”
PatChesters, Tripadvisor review
Good to know
- Share the trail: keep left, and give horses plenty of room.
- Summer: walk early, take water and keep an eye on fire weather warnings.
- Getting there: Darlington is about 30 minutes from the city, just off the Great Eastern Highway.
Featured image: JarrahTree, CC BY 2.5 AU via Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s a walking, cycling and horse riding trail that follows the old Eastern Railway through the Perth Hills, including Darlington, Glen Forrest and Mundaring.
