Starting behind the Red Hill Epicurean Centre on Shoreham Road, Red Hill South, this walk leads to Merricks and back via the Red Hill Rail Trail. This scenic walk takes you along the former railway line, which used to carry fresh apples on to Hastings where they were sent on to the markets of Melbourne. Surrounded by vineyards and rolling green paddocks with ponies, the trail goes through rows of pine trees, with mushrooms and bright red toadstools dotting the ground. There are many vantage points along the trail where you can look across to Western Port Bay and Phillip Island. There are some good coffee and food spots at the start of the trail, and after you complete it you can sample the local produce at the Merricks General Wine Store. This is a shared trail for walkers, mountain bike riders and horse riders, so be aware of your fellow travelers. The ground can get slippery and can be quite uneven as horses use this trail often. The surface is mostly gravel with some dirt parts, and the return walk has a long gentle hill climb. Make sure to bring your own drinking water, as there's none available along the trail. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.