A rail achieves a high 0.2% proof stress after straightening treatment, the high 0.2% proof stress being effective at improving rolling contact fatigue resistance of the rail, by hot rolling a steel raw material to obtain a rail, the steel raw material having a chemical composition containing C: 0.70% to 0.85%, Si: 0.1% to 1.5%, Mn: 0.4% to 1.5%, P: 0.035% or less, S: 0.010% or less, and Cr: 0.05% to 1.50% with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities; straightening the rail with a load of 50 tf or more; and subsequently subjecting the rail to heat treatment in which the rail is held in a temperature range of 150° C. or more and 400° C. or less for 0.5 hours or more and 10 hours or less.