I had no trouble finding the start of the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail at the northern end of the Lilydale Railway Station carpark.
I had ridden the Yarra Junction to Warburton section of the rail trail a few days previously. Today I hoped to complete the remaining 33 kilometres between Lilydale and Yarra Junction.
Derek had brought me and my bike to Lilydale Railway Station. I would cycle back to our camp at Yarra Junction.
I have to admit I was quite disappointed in the first few kilometres of the rail trail. It seemed to deviate quite significantly from the original railway line and there were quite a few short sharp gradients as I pushed on through the eastern Melbourne suburb of Lilydale.
Even the very eye-catching bridge over the Maroondah Highway was covered in graffiti.
I guess that is the price to pay for convenient access to Melbourne!
Soon, however, over the next kilometre, the rail trail became more what I had hoped for.
The trail continued to climb for the next four kilometres, but at a steady gradient, and the suburban atmosphere fell away as the trail headed out into the country.
There was even a short tunnel.
Soon I arrived at Mt Evelyn Station. From there it was a lovely roll down through the forest to Wandin.
It was a Saturday, and between Mt Evelyn and Wandin I encountered lots of cyclists, walkers with dogs and even ten horse-riders!
These cheery fellows were travelling at a similar pace to mine, often stopping to take photos. We took turns to take the lead. Here they are overtaking me at Wandin Station.
From Wandin it was a short and easy three-kilometre roll to the Carriage Cafe at Seville.
The Carriage Cafe at Seville
I have to admit that, for me, the Carriage Cafe was the highlight of this ride on the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail. With a bike rack for more than twenty bikes already half full,
horses arriving while I drank my coffee
and a beautifully restored railway carriage originally built in 1910,
this was a unique and memorable rail trail cafe.
From there it was only a short distance to Seville station. By now I had cycled 17 kilometres.
Seville to Yarra Junction (16 kilometres)
After the early climbing to get to Mt Evelyn, the rest of the ride seemed quite flat.
The trail crossed the Yarra River floodplains
and there were views to the Yarra Ranges.
With such beautiful surroundings and easy riding, time passed quickly. Soon I was crossing the Warburton Highway at the curiously named Launching Place. There were traffic lights to assist with a safe crossing.
I left the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail just before Yarra Junction to branch off to our caravan park. I had cycled 33 kilometres and climbed 320 metres.
The Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail continues for another eight kilometres to Warburton. While based at Yarra Junction, I took a train into Melbourne and tried out the Bayside Cycling Trail.
