Denmark to Nornalup Heritage Rail Trail

Follows the old Elleker-Nornalup railway (closed 1957) along Western Australia's spectacular south coast, from the Denmark River mouth on Wilson Inlet through forest, farmland and coastal heathland to Nornalup, on the edge of the Walpole-Nornalup National Park and its famous Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk. Now part of the Munda Biddi cycle trail from Perth to Albany. Four original timber rail bridges remain in use. IMPORTANT for trip planning: there is currently a genuine ~14km GAP in the trail between Parker Rd and Peaceful Bay Rd/Bow Bridge - the bridges over the Kent and Bow Rivers were never rebuilt after the old railway closed, and RTA states this section 'will not be open for a few years.' Riders currently need to detour via road through this middle section (some road-riding along the South Coast Hwy/back roads, exercise real caution - not something to gloss over). This GPX recording covers the full route including this gap, since that's genuinely how the trip is done at present - see errata for the precise location. The rest of the trail is rough/sandy/boggy-in-winter in real places, more suited to mountain bikes than road bikes; the first ~12km out of Denmark (to Rudyard Beach Rd) is higher-quality, family/wheelchair-accessible surface.

Denmark River mouth to Hay River (approx. 12km): trail hub at Denmark River mouth on Inlet Drive, next to Denmark Caravan Park - good surface to Rudyard Beach Rd, rougher/softer beyond. Hay River to Parker Rd (approx. 21km, total 33km from Denmark): passes a heritage rail display with old rail cars near Denmark, runs alongside the Munda Biddi Trail before branching off, crosses several old rail bridges, boggy in winter, soft sandy sections. GAP - Parker Rd to Peaceful Bay Rd (approx. 14km): NOT CURRENTLY OPEN as an off-road trail - two bridges (Kent and Bow Rivers) need rebuilding. No facilities at Parker Rd. Riders currently detour via road. Peaceful Bay Rd/Bow Bridge to Nornalup (approx. 14km, plus a final ~4km into Nornalup via Station Rd, finishing about 2km short of the town centre): dominated by tall karri forest and open plains, ends at the old Nornalup Station site (commemorative plaque).