7 out of 10, and that's being generous on the Wundowie stretch. That's where I'd land the Kep Track if you made me score it before we get into scenery and history, because the surface does most of the talking on a ride like this, not the view.
The Kep Track follows the old Eastern Railway formation for roughly 71 kilometres between Mundaring and Northam, and if you've never ridden a converted rail line before, the first thing that hits you is how flat it feels. Trains don't do hills, so neither does the trail. Gradient tops out somewhere around 1 in 40 for most of the route, which means you can hold a decent cadence for hours without your legs complaining. Thats the whole appeal of a rail trail, and the Kep delivers on that specific promise even if it doesn't deliver much else.
Surface and gear notes for the Kep Track
Crushed gravel and compacted limestone for most of the length, with a few sandy patches that'll catch you out if you're running skinny road tyres. I did it on the gravel bike with 40mm tyres at around 35 psi front and back, and that was about right — enough cushion to soak up the corrugations near Clackline without feeling like you're wading through it. A hybrid will manage fine too. What I wouldn't take is a road bike with anything under 28mm, not unless you enjoy walking sections of loose gravel with your bike over your shoulder, which nobody does.
There are stretches after rain where the clay sections near Bakers Hill turn greasy rather than gravelly, and that's a different problem entirely — traction, not comfort. Check conditions before a wet-season attempt. Trails WA keeps reasonably current notes on surface conditions and any closures along the corridor, and it's worth a look the night before rather than finding out at the 40km mark.
Starting from Mundaring
Most people start in Mundaring, which makes sense logistically since the town's got parking, a servo, and a couple of decent coffee options before you commit to the day. If you've got time before you saddle up, the Wallis Road walk is close by and gives you a sense of the hills terrain on foot rather than wheels, which some riders like to do the day before as a leg-loosener. It's not part of the Kep corridor itself, just a nearby option if you're staying overnight in the area.
Mundaring's also where a fair bit of the Perth Hills tour activity clusters. If cycling for six-plus hours isn't your idea of a good weekend, there's the Full Moon Yoga Hiking Experience Mundaring running out of the same general area, and for hikers rather than riders, the Bibbulmun Hiking Experience Kalamunda to Mundaring connects into the same patch of hills country from a different angle. Worth knowing about even if your plan for the day is strictly two wheels.
Through Sawyers Valley, Wooroloo and Wundowie
This middle third is where the trail earns its keep and also where it drags a bit, depending on your mood. The old rail cuttings through Sawyers Valley give you some shade and a bit of visual interest — you can still see remnants of the rail infrastructure in places, sleepers and the odd marker post, which is a nicer touch than most rail trails bother with. Wooroloo is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it town, good for a water refill if you've timed it right.
Wundowie is flatter and, honestly, less interesting. It's straight, it's open, and on a hot day with no cloud cover it's the section where you'll wish you'd packed an extra bottle. I stopped at the Bakers Hill pie shop on the last run I did with the Sunday bunch, which has become something of a landmark stop for hills riders generally, not just Kep Track traffic. Good pie, better excuse for a fifteen-minute break before the final push into Clackline.
Clackline to Northam: the finish
The last stretch into Northam picks up a bit of interest again as you get closer to the Avon Valley, with the terrain opening out and the trail running closer to farmland than forest. It's not dramatic scenery — this isn't a river gorge ride — but it's a decent way to close out a long day, and Northam itself has enough services to sort transport back or a proper feed before the drive home.
If you're after big water and proper river frontage on a ride, the Kep Track isn't it, and I reckon that's worth saying plainly rather than oversell it. For that kind of scenery you're better off looking at somewhere like Big River Ranch, which is a different trip entirely and a fair way north, but it's the honest answer if a mate asks where to go for river views on a bike or on foot. The Kep gives you rail history and an easy gradient, not water frontage.
Is the Kep Track's reputation deserved?
Here's my mildly contrarian bit. The Kep Track gets talked up locally as one of the must-do rail trails in the state, and gradient-wise that's fair — it's genuinely one of the easiest long-distance rides in the Perth Hills. But the surface consistency isn't as good as its reputation suggests. You'll hit patches of loose gravel and washed-out sections, particularly after the winter rains, that don't match the smooth, groomed image some of the tourism material paints. It's a solid ride, not a flawless one. Go in expecting a working rail corridor, not a manicured path, and you won't be disappointed.
Practical stuff before you go
Water is the main planning issue — there aren't a lot of reliable refill points between towns, so carry more than you think you need, especially over summer. Phone reception drops out in a few of the mid-sections too, so if you're riding solo, tell someone your rough schedule.
WestCycle publishes general guidance on trail etiquette and bike setup for WA conditions that's useful background reading if you're newer to gravel or rail trail riding specifically, particularly around tyre choice and hydration planning for longer rides like this one.
If you want to break the ride up rather than doing the full 71km in one hit, there are a few access points along the way that let you do shorter loops — worth checking the Trails WA notes for exact entry points, since some have limited parking. And if you're in Mundaring for a few days rather than just the one ride, the Stone Street walk is another option for a rest-day leg stretch that doesn't involve getting back on the saddle.
Would I do the full Mundaring to Northam run again? Yeah, probably, though I'd pick a cooler day next time and skip the Wundowie stretch at the hottest part of the afternoon. It's flat out the pick for anyone after an easy-gradient, full-day ride in the hills without needing serious climbing legs. Just don't expect the surface to be perfect the whole way, because it isn't, and pack more water than feels necessary.