Red Hill Rail Trail

The Red Hill Rail Trail follows the old railway formation for about 6.5 kilometres between Red Hill South and Merricks on the Mornington Peninsula, and dogs are welcome on lead for every metre of it. This is hinterland walking at its most agreeable: a gentle gravel grade through pine forest, vineyards and pony paddocks, with farm views opening up between the trees and enough shade in the pine sections to make summer manageable.

The walk

Count on 1.5 to 2 hours one way and around three hours for the full return, though there is no rule that says you have to do the whole thing. The trail is as good in pieces as it is whole, and plenty of walkers go as far as a vineyard fence line and turn around. The surface is a mix of gravel, dirt and pine needles with some exposed tree roots, and the grade tips steadily if you start from the Merricks end and climb toward Red Hill. Walk it out and back for 13 kilometres, or arrange a car at each end if you are organised.

Leash status

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council manages the trail and requires dogs on lead at all times, under effective control. This is a shared path, so expect bikes, runners and the occasional horse, and give way to riders. One important boundary: the nearby Endeavour Fern Gully on Arthurs Seat Road is a dog-free conservation reserve, so keep to the rail trail itself if you have a dog with you.

Water and hazards

Bring your own water for both of you; there is nothing reliable along the route and the vineyard stretches sit in full sun. After heavy winter rain the unsealed path turns muddy and slippery in patches, so expect wet paws and pick your line. The main traffic hazard is cyclists arriving quietly from behind on the pine sections, so keep the lead short and your dog on the left.

Getting there and parking

The Red Hill end starts near Shoreham Road at the Station Reserve, with the Merricks end at the Merricks Station Ground Reserve. Both have parking and public toilets. The trail is open around the clock, and weekday mornings are the quiet slot if your dog prefers company-free walking.

While you're out there

The trail brushes past some serious cool-climate wine country. Stonier Wines sits near the Merricks end, while Avani Wines and Tucks are handy to the Red Hill South side. If your dog has earned a proper off-lead run, the Hann Creek Off-leash Dog Park at Balnarring is a short drive away. Autumn, when the vines turn, is the pick of the year.

More routes are on the Victoria dog trails guide and the Red Hill South destination page.