Ringwood–Belgrave Rail Trail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ringwood - Belgrave Rail Trail |
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The Ringwood - Belgrave Rail Trail in Upwey
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| Length | 19.2km |
| Location | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Cycling details | |
| Trail difficulty | Easy to medium |
| Hazards | Numerous road crossings Minor on-road sections Travel through several car parks |
| Surface | Mostly asphalt, with some concrete sections |
| Hills | Around Heathmont, Upper Ferntree Gully and Upwey |
| Connecting transport | |
| Train(s) | Belgrave line |
| Parking | Adjacent railway stations H.E. Parker Reserve, Heathmont Ringwood Lake, Ringwood Marie Wallace Bayswater Park, Bayswater Tim Neville Arboretum, Ferntree Gully |
The Ringwood - Belgrave Rail Trail is a fun path for cyclists and pedestrians. It follows the Belgrave railway line from Ringwood to Belgrave. This trail is in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
This trail is super handy and popular! It connects to many other trails nearby. Plus, eight train stations on the Belgrave railway line are right along its 19.2 km route. This makes it easy to start or finish your adventure.
You can find an interactive map of this trail and others in Melbourne. Just check the 'External Links' section at the end of this article!
Exploring the Trail
Even though this trail is well-known, it doesn't have many signs. Don't worry, we'll help you follow the path!
Ringwood to Bayswater
Your journey starts in Ringwood. The trail begins near the Mullum Mullum Creek Trail, close to the Ringwood Bypass underpass.
First, you'll ride about 250 meters on local streets. Then, a short path leads to a big intersection. The trail picks up again on the south-east side of this intersection.
You'll travel through Ringwood Lake and cross the Lilydale railway line. After that, you'll go through Bedford Reserve on a paved road.
Next, the trail follows Bedford Road east for 170 meters. You can ride on the road or use the footpaths. Watch out for the pedestrian traffic lights near Ringwood Secondary College.
The trail turns right and goes south down Lena Grove for 360 meters. The off-road path starts again at the end of the street. Now, the trail follows the Belgrave railway line on the eastern side until Heathmont railway station.
At Canterbury Road, the trail switches to the western side of the railway. It then goes downhill to H.E. Parker Reserve in Heathmont. Use the reserve road heading south. A left turn at the footbridge over the Dandenong Creek takes you to the Dandenong Creek Trail.
The Ringwood - Belgrave Rail Trail and the Dandenong Creek Trail share the same path for 835 meters. Then, they split up. Take a right turn right after the tunnel under the railway. This will take you south along the eastern side of the railway line towards Mountain Highway and Bayswater railway station.
Bayswater to Upper Ferntree Gully
Near Bayswater railway station, the trail goes past bus stops and the station car park. This area can be busy with people and cars, so be careful!
The trail continues on the western side of the railway until Bayswater Road. Here, it switches back to the eastern side. The path then goes straight to Boronia railway station. You'll need to carefully go through the Boronia Junction Shopping Centre car park to reach the Boronia Road / Dorset Road intersection.
The trail starts again on the south-east corner of the intersection. It follows the railway on the eastern side once more. You'll find the turn-off for the Blind Creek Trail halfway between Boronia and Ferntree Gully.
When you reach Ferntree Gully railway station, the trail goes through the station car park to the level crossing. After crossing at the Alpine Street / Station Street / The Avenue intersection, the trail continues south. It stays on the western side of the railway. You'll see a cool footbridge over Forest Road before the trail reaches pedestrian traffic lights at Burwood Highway in Upper Ferntree Gully.
A short 400 meter path takes you to the entrance of Upper Ferntree Gully railway station. If you cross at the traffic lights, you can continue further along the trail.
Upper Ferntree Gully to Belgrave
The trail now travels south alongside Forest Oak Drive. You'll soon reach the turn-off for the Ferny Creek Trail. A left turn takes you east through the area just south of Upper Ferntree Gully. Most of this part runs on shared paths next to local streets.
When you reach the railway bridge over Burwood Highway, the trail goes east. It runs alongside native trees and bushes between the railway and Burwood Highway. This leads you to Upwey and Upwey railway station.
Staying on the northern side of the railway, the trail continues next to Burwood Highway until Glenfern Road. Here, the trail leaves the highway and follows the railway again. It ends at the end of Campbell Street in Tecoma.
A 130 meter trip along Campbell Street and a right turn down McNicol Road leads to an immediate right turn for Tecoma railway station. If you take an immediate left turn, that's where the trail continues. A short ride down this final section of shared path leads to the back of the Belgrave shops. A short 220 meter ride on Blacksmiths Way east leads to the entrance of Belgrave railway station, where your trail adventure finishes!
Connecting Trails
The Ringwood - Belgrave Rail Trail connects to several other great paths. If you're traveling downhill (from south to north), you'll first meet the Ferny Creek Trail. Then comes the Blind Creek Trail, followed by the Dandenong Creek Trail, and finally the upper Mullum Mullum Creek Trail.
The start of the Birds Land Reserve to Lysterfield Park Trail is also near the Belgrave Rail Trail. You can leave the trail at Tecoma railway station and head south down McNicol Road. You'll reach the reserve about 2.5 km later.
The north end of the trail is at 37°48′39″S 145°14′01″E / 37.810814°S 145.233744°E. The south end is at 37°54′34″S 145°21′17″E / 37.909461°S 145.354609°E.
External Links
- An interactive map of the trail and other paths in Melbourne is available here: Walking and Cycling in Melbourne
