Mundaring to Mahogany Creek
The Railway Reserve Heritage Trail from Mundaring to Mahogany Creek is 2.9 km and will take about 30 - 45 minutes to walk one way so it is possible to do as a return hike of up to 90 minutes. We started from Mundaring Sculpture Park which has a shaded sculpture trail, a fabulous playground, heritage buildings and, as your start along the Railway Reserve Heritage Trail, information signage and the old platform (1898) and rail signals.
Heading west the trail started by heading uphill which surprised us. There are several road crossings and two sections which pass through cuttings. The trail wasn't particularly exciting as it runs between roads either side and there is traffic noise but we did hear crickets, a sign that the weather is warming up, and lots of bird song. Walking in late September the wildflowers were out and although there were no mass displays there were lots of flowers scattered around.
The trail passes by the lovely hamlet of Mahogany Creek. It is worth a quick detour to see the old store and other heritage buildings. You may even wish to follow the short Heritage Trail. You will find a map at the old store. Past the tennis courts you will find the Danny Wimperis Adventure Park playground.
Mahogany Creek to Glen Forrest
It is another hour to walk the 3.8km one way from Mahogany Creek to Glen Forrest and although some sections are lovely as they pass alongside Nyaania Reserve and Richard Watson Hardey Reserve, where you will find enticing tracks and trails heading into the bush begging to be explored, much of the trail is out in the open with not much going on. After crossing Bailey Road the adjacent roads divert so you are more centred in the bush with rural properties alongside.
Just out of Glen Forrest you pass Statham Wetland so make sure you go for a closer look as they are quite unique and picturesque. After the wetlands there is a small creek which runs alongside the path but that was the only sign of water along the trail in September.
This was a bit of a hard slog for not much reward and although it was pretty during wildflower season I wouldn’t do it again in a hurry. It was quite hot in September too so it may be more pleasant during the cooler months. I am glad we decided to have cars either end so we didn't have to hike back. As with other sections of this trail I think this is a better bike ride than walk. I would consider hiking east from Glen Forrest to Statham Wetlands again and then taking some of the side trails through Hardey Reserve.
Glen Forrest Heritage Walk
Before leaving we wandered around Glen Forrest for 45 minutes exploring the Heritage Walk (green line on map above) but we didn't find many of the buildings. Click on this link for the Glen Forrest Heritage Walk Map.
Glen Forrest was originally a saw milling town with settlement growing after the railway came through in 1884. Early industries included orchards, nurseries and vineyards alongside gravel pits and brickworks. The town continued to grow after the railway closed in 1854 and remains a thriving town.
Morgan John Morgan Park and Glen Forrest Community Garden
We did however enjoy Morgan John Morgan Park with it's train themed play equipment and the nearby Community Garden.
There is ample parking and toilets available at Morgan John Morgan Park in Glen Forrest and also at Mundaring Sculpture Park either end of this walk . You could also park at the Adventure Playground in Mahogany Creek if you wanted to start there. Mundaring has lots of cafes and bakeries to choose from and in Glen Forrest you can grab refreshments at Glen Forrest Gourmet.
See the following blogs for other sections of the trail:
My favourite section Darlington To Glen Forrest
Darlington to Boya
Mt Helena to Sawyers Valley
Mt Helena to Stoneville and Parkerville
Parkerville to Hovea Falls in John Forrest National Park including Park Falls
Hovea Falls To Swan View Tunnel in John Forrest National Park
To read more blogs go to:
In the spirit of reconciliation Out and About- Family Nature Connection acknowledges the traditional owners of the Wadjak boodjar (Perth land) and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
As always when hiking in the bush please help to reduce the spread of Phytophthora Dieback by sticking to the tracks and paths, staying out of quarantined areas and, if possible, clean your shoes before and after hiking. A spray of 70% methylated spirit and 30% water can be effective.