Having tried the Denmark Nornalup Heritage Trail between McLeod Road and Denmark, I felt ready to tackle the next more remote section between Parker Road and McLeod Road.
Also known as the Denmark Nornalup Rail Trail, this track stretches 83 kilometres from Walpole in the west to Denmark in the east. Unfortunately there is a 10 kilometre section between Parker Road and Bow Bridge which is not yet accessible. (You could ride this section on the South Coast Highway if you wanted to complete the whole trail.)
I am fortunate that my husband, Derek, is always happy to drop me at the start of a ride, especially if I can ride into camp at the end.
Parker Road, Kentdale
On this occasion Derek drove me out to Parker Road near Kentdale. I had our satellite phone with me in case of accident, as I was not expecting to have mobile access for most of the ride.
A sign on one side of Parker Road marked the start of this section of the Denmark Nornalup Heritage Trail.
On the other side of the road, the trail began like this:
Within the first kilometre I found myself apparently lost. The trail headed into what appeared to be private property and I couldn’t see any marker indicating the rail trail.
Hopefully I continued, looking for the tell-tale signs of a former railway. I thought the track beyond this gate was a possibility.
On closer inspection I saw a faded white triangular marker on the gatepost.
I was on track!
It was a cloudy, drizzly day, perfect for this kind of scenery:
There were quite a few gates to open.
After about nine kilometres, the countryside became drier and less hospitable.
As I continued on, I noticed a very large muscly male kangaroo bounding along only a metre or two away from me in the scrub. I slowed down to watch which way he was going. (Cyclists have been knocked unconscious and even killed by kangaroos jumping into their path!)
The rain began to set in as I arrived at this newly renovated bridge.
Kordabup
After eleven kilometres, the Denmark Nornalup Heritage Trail began to pass through Kordabup Nature Reserve. There had been a siding here, but it seemed quite a desolate place now.
After this, the track became particularly sandy.
Soon there was another bridge. This one was covered in lichen.
It must be wet here in the winter.
Joining the Munda Biddi Trail
About three kilometres out from McLeod Road, the Munda Biddi Trail came in from the north to join the Denmark Nornalup Heritage Trail.
When I arrived at McLeod Road, I phoned Derek and let him know that I was doing well before continuing another 15 kilometres on to Denmark.
The Denmark Nornalup Heritage Trail between Parker Road and McLeod Road had been 21 kilometres long and I had climbed 145 metres over that distance.
While very beautiful and interesting, the Denmark Nornalup Heritage Trail between Parker Road and McLeod Road is remote. There was no-one else on the trail that day. I would say it is definitely preferable to ride this trail with friends.
For more background information on the Denmark Nornalup Heritage Trail, see my ride on the trail between McLeod Road and Denmark. Other useful references for this rail trail and other West Australian rides are Follow My Ride and Trails WA.
