The Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail is a long-distance, off-road recreational trail that follows the route of the old Warburton railway line through the heart of the Yarra Valley. Open to walkers, cyclists, horse riders and e-bike riders alike, it runs for about 40 kilometres (around 48 kilometres if you include the newer Yarra Valley Trail extension) and links some nine townships along the way, among them Mount Evelyn, Seville, Woori Yallock, Yarra Junction, Wesburn and Millgrove. At its eastern end the trail finishes at the former Warburton railway station site, right beside the Waterwheel Visitor Centre, making it an easy starting or finishing point for a day in town.
The riding and walking are gentle, with the easy grades you would expect from a former railway. The surface is mostly compacted fine gravel with some sealed sections, so it suits touring, hybrid and mountain bikes, prams and, across much of its length, wheelchairs. The one section to note is a climb of around 130 metres between Lilydale and Mount Evelyn; from there the trail rolls gently down toward the Warburton end. As it nears the Warburton end, the path passes through bushland and crosses a number of bridges along the old railway formation.
There is genuine history beneath your wheels. The Warburton line opened on 13 November 1901, carrying passengers and timber through the valley for more than six decades, until the last train ran on 1 August 1965. The track was lifted in the early 1970s, and the rail trail was established in 1996, becoming largely continuous by 1998 with the final section completed in early 2011.
The trail is free to use, dog-friendly (on a leash) and accessible at any hour, with no gates or fees. It is a firm favourite for family day rides, longer touring trips and multi-day bikepacking. The land is managed by Yarra Ranges Council; there is no trailside phone number, as the trail is an unstaffed public asset.