Ringwood to Belgrave Rail Trail

A shared-use path for cyclists and pedestrians following the historic route of the Belgrave railway line (originally home to the narrow-gauge Puffing Billy until it was replaced by the standard-gauge electric line to Belgrave in 1962) through Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs, from Ringwood at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges up to Belgrave. Directly serviced by eight railway stations along the way (Heathmont, Bayswater, Boronia, Ferntree Gully, Upper Ferntree Gully, Upwey, Tecoma and Belgrave), plus connects with several other shared paths including the Mullum Mullum Creek Trail, Dandenong Creek Trail, Blind Creek Trail and Ferny Creek Trail. This is a genuine rail trail on the old rail formation for the great majority of its length - as is common for city rail trails after 60+ years of urban development pressure on the corridor, a handful of short stretches (mostly under a few hundred metres each) divert onto local streets or through station car parks where the original rail land was lost, before rejoining the formation. A new off-road section at the Ringwood end was under construction as part of the Bedford Road Level Crossing Removal Project (targeted for 2025 completion) - worth confirming current status.

Ringwood to Heathmont (approx. 4.4km): begins as a turn-off from the Mullum Mullum Creek Trail near the Ringwood Bypass underpass, includes a couple of short street sections (Bedford Road, Lena Grove) before reaching H.E. Parker Reserve. Heathmont to Bayswater (approx. 2km): shares a stretch with the Dandenong Creek Trail before splitting off towards Bayswater station. Bayswater to Ferntree Gully (approx. 4km): passes Marie Wallace Bayswater Park, through Boronia and the Boronia Junction Shopping Centre car park, past the Blind Creek Trail turn-off. Ferntree Gully to Upwey (approx. 5km): through Ferntree Gully station car park, past Tim Neville Arboretum, a scenic footbridge over Forest Road, past the Ferny Creek Trail turn-off, then alongside Burwood Highway. Upwey to Belgrave (approx. 3.2km): continues alongside Burwood Highway then the railway to Tecoma, a short street section (Campbell St/McNicol Rd), finishing via a short on-road stretch down Blacksmiths Way to Belgrave station.