Red Hill Rail Trail (Merricks - Red Hill South)
The old railway line between Merricks and Red Hill used to carry fresh apples on to Hastings where they were sent on to the markets of Melbourne.
The starting point for the trail is on the north side of the Station Ground Recreation Reserve at Merricks. Park at Merricks Station Ground (look for the mobile phone tower at the entrance) on the Frankston-Flinders road, close to Stoniers Winery, about 150 m from Merricks General Store. There are public toilets here.
Look for the 'Trail' sign on the cyclone fence, near the mobile phone tower. The narrow track runs beside the fence in the reserve to the start of the trail proper.
The trail climbs steadily for the first two kilometres with nice views over Western Port to Philip Island. After a sharp right turn, the trail continues down the steep hill to the end of Tonkins Road. The trail then continues to the left on the original railways easement and ascends more gently to Red Hill, first through pine trees and then two small cuttings.
You can do this walk in either direction - it is uphill from Merricks to Red Hill or down hill from Red Hill to Merricks. The total distance is 6.5km in one direction.
It is is a shared trail for walkers, mountain bike riders and horse riders. The surface is coarse gravel and compacted earth.
There are excellent cafes at each end of the Trail, and Stonier Winery at the Merricks end.
Route Map
Location
3450A Frankston - Flinders Road, Merricks 3916 Map
Web Links
→ www.railtrails.org.au/trails/red-hill-rail-trail/
