Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail

The Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail runs 39.6 km along a closed railway line from Lilydale into the Yarra Valley, and every metre of it is open to dogs on lead. The grade is the deciding fact: because trains needed gentle gradients, the whole thing is flat or near enough, on hard-packed gravel, which makes it one of the few long walks in Victoria a dog can do all day without a single scramble.

The walk. AllTrails clocks the full run at 39.6 km and nine to ten hours, which almost nobody does in one go with a dog. The trail is built to be broken up. Lilydale to Mount Evelyn is about 6.9 km and Warburton to Millgrove about 3.3 km, and we have the western end written up separately as Warburton Rail Trail: Lilydale to Seville. At the eastern end the Warburton River Walk and La La Falls Walk both start near the old Warburton station site. The surface is gravel throughout and wide enough for two dogs to pass without a tangle.

The rules. Yarra Ranges Council manages the trail and dogs must be on lead the full length, under effective control. Council also asks that dogs stay 20 metres clear of playgrounds, barbecues and picnic areas, which matters at the town stops where the trail runs straight past all three. There is no off-lead section anywhere on the trail itself. If your dog needs a proper run, the Lilydale Lake East Dog Off Leash Area is a few minutes from the Lilydale trailhead.

Water. Drinking fountains are spread along the route at the town stops, and there are toilets at Lilydale, Mount Evelyn and Warburton. Between towns there is nothing, and some stretches run a long way without a tap, so carry water and a bowl rather than counting on finding one.

Hazards. This is a shared corridor and cyclists move quickly on flat gravel. Yield to bikes and horses and keep a short lead on blind corners. In summer the open farmland sections have very little shade. Between June and August those same sections turn muddy.

Getting there. The Lilydale end is the easy one: take the Lilydale line to the last stop and pick up the trail behind the station car park. Parking sits at the rear of Lilydale Station, off Monbulk Road at Mount Evelyn, and at the old Warburton station site. Martyrs Bus Service runs between Lilydale and Warburton, which is how most people walk one direction and ride back rather than doubling their distance.

Nearby with the dogs. Paperbark Cafe at Mount Evelyn and Carriage Cafe Seville both sit close to the trail. For an overnight, Lilydale Pine Hill Caravan Park is at the western end and Yarra Ranges Country Apartment is mid-trail. Lilydale Lake via Hull Road Wetlands makes an easy second walk if you want a short day.

When to go. Midweek, in the morning, and pick a section rather than the whole thing. Weekends fill with cyclists and the town car parks go early. Autumn and spring give the best walking temperature, and in summer you want to start before nine or wait for late afternoon. Good for big runners who need distance without hills, and for seniors who need flat ground.

Sources

• Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail - Yarra Ranges Council · www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au
• Warburton Rail Trail/Yarra Valley Trail · www.railtrails.org.au
• Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail - Visit Yarra Valley · www.visityarravalley.com.au
• Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail, Victoria, Australia · www.alltrails.com

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.