Photo credit: Destination Brantford
The City of Brantford and County of Brant have become a premier destination in Ontario for its outdoor activities and pristine natural assets, including its splendid cycling experiences. With over 90kms of trail winding next to or near the banks of the Grand and Nith Rivers through Carolinian forests, the urban and rural areas are frequented by cyclists of all skill levels from near and far.
In the City of Brantford and the County of Brant, discover:
- The stunning 15km Gordon Glaves Grand River Loop trail, hugging the natural shores of the Grand River
- A major trail hub in southern Ontario, pedal off-road scenic rail trails east to Dundas and Hamilton, north to Paris and Cambridge, and south to Port Dover on Lake Erie
- Ride a collection of road and trail cycling itineraries, highlighting natural, cultural and historic sites
- Discover the region’s rich history and heritage, visiting indigenous cultural sites like the Mohawk Chapel and Woodland Cultural Centre, just off the Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail, and settler historic sites such the home of Alexander Graham Bell.
- Explore Brantford, a vibrant and growing urban centre with bicycle friendly restaurants, attractions and accommodations to enjoy.
Brantford
- Gordon Glaves Grand River Loop Trail
– A 15km off-road paved and stone dust trail that hugs the shoreline on both sides of the Grand River through Brantford. The trail forms a scenic natural corridor through the city with portions of the trail on unique elevated dikes beside the river. Several points along the pathway offer access to rest areas, washrooms and connections into the city.
- Suggested access point include D’Aubigny Park, Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant, Hardy Rd, Wilkes Dam, and Waterworks Park.
Brantford East to Dundas/Hamilton
- Brantford to Hamilton Rail Trail – The 32km stone dust rail trail runs from the east end of Brantford across rolling farmland to the west side of Hamilton at the town of Dundas. The Hamilton section follows the scenic Dundas Valley for 18 kilometres. Heading east out of Brantford you will pass the historic Mohawk Chapel.
Brantford North to Paris
- SC Johnson Trail –This rail trail is 14km of mostly stone dust with some areas of asphalt, running between the communities of Paris and Brantford. It travels through farm fields, rare prairie grasslands and provides several scenic vistas overlooking the Grand River. The SC Johnson Trail offers a key off-road connection between Paris and Brantford.
Brantford South to Port Dover
- LE & N Trail – Running 6km south out of the city of Brantford, this trail has a stone dust surface and brings cyclists to the village of Mount Pleasant, eventually connecting up with the TH & B Trail, which continues south into Norfolk County.
- TH & B Trail– Approximately 20km in length, this pathway is mostly stone dust with some areas of asphalt and takes cyclists south out of Brantford, eventually connecting to the Waterford Heritage Trail in Norfolk County.
Paris North to Cambridge
- Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail – Running north out of Paris, this 18km trail is a converted rail bed that follows the Grand River through beautiful Carolinian Forest with many beautiful river overlooks. The trail is level with a stone dust surface. Food and washrooms are available in Glen Morris, Paris and Cambridge. (Part of the Trans Canada Trail)
The Grand Watershed Trails Network – the goal of the network is to connect people with communities and the heritage, cultural and outdoor experiences that exist throughout the Grand River Watershed. Museums, points of interest, shopping, restaurants, bike friendly businesses – the trail will highlight all of this and more to travellers exploring the route. The GWTN has a number of trail cycling routes and itineraries on their website, including the following:
- Ride the Rail Trail from Paris to Cambridge – 41km – Trail
- Grand River Bike Loop in Brantford (with optional extension to Paris)– 15km – Trail
- Brantford History Bike Loop – 40km – Mix of trail and on-road
For additional trails and information, visit the trails pages for City of Brantford, Discover Brantford and the County of Brant.
Grand River Loop – Experience all the splendour of Brant through this 48km cycling loop that visits the scenic Grand River shores and weaves through downtown Paris and through the City of Brantford. This route is paved with segments of unpaved trails. Read more about the loop on a blog by Traveling Mitch HERE
These regional routes are not signed, but are mapped and can be found on the interactive County of Brant – City of Brantford Outdoor Adventure Map.
- Paris – Scotland Loop – This 50km loop on paved rural roads starts from the village of Paris at the Fairgrounds. Travel through farmland, over the Nith River/Whiteman’s Creek and into Bur-ford and Scotland.
- Paris / Falkland Loop – This 18km loop starts and ends at the Paris Fairgrounds and will take riders west of Paris through a mix of urban and rural settings with views crossing over the Nith River.
- Paris – Ayr Loop – At 35km, this tour starts in downtown Paris and follows the shore of the Grand River, crossing the river at Glen Morris before heading west into Ayr and returning to Paris through farmland.
- The Upper Grand / Paris / Glen Morris Loop – This 30km road and trail loop starts in Paris and follows the west bank of the Grand River north out of town, passing through Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area, crossing the Grand at the town of Glen Morris, and returning to Paris on the Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail. View many historic homes on Grand River St. North.
- Cainsville to Onondaga Route (route shown on print map only)- This 6.9km on-road journey takes riders from the Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail access point at Papple Rd. all the way to Onondaga, passing through picturesque farmland, across Fairchild Creek to the village of Onondaga on the Grand River, next to the Six Nations Reserve, connecting Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail to the Grand Valley Trail (footpath).
- St. George / Glen Morris Loop – this 30km route starts and ends in the village of St. George north of Brantford, taking riders on rolling terrain to a lookout over the Grand River, back down south on the east bank of the grand on East River Rd, with options to join the Cambridge to Paris Trail en-route.
The Grand Watershed Trails Network – the goal of the network is to connect people with communities and the heritage, cultural and outdoor experiences that exist throughout the Grand River Watershed. Museums, points of interest, shopping, restaurants, bike friendly businesses – the trail will highlight all of this and more to travellers exploring the route. The GWTN has a number of cycling routes and itineraries on their website, including the following:
- Brantford History Bike Loop – 40km – The tour is mainly on country roads and off-road multi-use trails. It
includes 2 sections on busy highways, totalling about 4 km. The tour visits the Alexander Graham Bell Homestead and passes by historic Salt Springs Church and the Mohawk Chapel. Take a short side trip to the Woodland Cultural Centre, housed in a former residential school and learn about Indigenous history and culture.
Brantford Cyclepath Route Library – Check out a number of favourite local routes from this popular Brantford bike shop, mapped with Strava and Garmin Connect.
Greenbelt Route – The Greenbelt Route is a 475km long, cross regional cycling route and one of Ontario’s Trails of Distinction that officially opened summer 2015. The route connects visitors and locals to Ontario’s Greenbelt as it traverses six regions (the County of Northumberland, Regions of Durham, York, Peel, Halton and Niagara) and the City of Hamilton. The route is fully signed and offers connecting routes from urban centres.
The Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail is a direct connection between the Greenbelt Route and the County of Brant. The closest access point to the Greenbelt Route is Ancaster, located approximately 28km from Brantford.
- Plan your trip by accessing the full digital map or choose from a selection of curated local cycling itineraries for more detailed information visit www.greenbelt.ca/explore
Ontario By Bike Ride (Hamilton-Brantford-Paris-Port Dover) – In September 2022 (and previously in 2015) Ontario By Bike hosted a small group two-day cycling trip along portions of the Trans Canada and other trails (total distance between 92km or 124km, depending on finish location). The route itinerary starts in Dundas and takes riders through Brantford (with optional extension to Paris) to Port Dover. Ontario By Bike has made available digital (Ride with GPS) mapping, as well as a self-guided itinerary to share with individuals and groups that may be interested in the same ride.
Trans Canada Trail – This cross-Canada trail runs through the County of Brant and through the City of Brantford. The TCT is a four-season, multi-use trail system with various surface types and users.
A number of the County’s trails are incorporated within this larger, national trail system including: T.H & B Trail; SC Johnson Trail and the Gordon Glaves Memorial Pathway.
Connecting Trans Canada Trails in neighbouring regions include:
- Brantford to Hamilton Rail Trail – The 32km stone dust rail trail runs from the east end of Brantford across rolling farmland to the west side of Hamilton at the town of Dundas. The Hamilton section follows the scenic Dundas Valley for 18 kilometres. Heading east out of Brantford you will pass the historic Mohawk Chapel.
- Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail – Running north out of Paris, this 18km trail is a converted rail bed that follows the Grand River through beautiful Carolinian Forest with many beautiful river overlooks. The trail is level with a stone dust surface. Food and washrooms are available in Glen Morris, Paris and Cambridge.
- Waterford Heritage Trail (Norfolk) – At over 18km in length, this stretch of the Trans Canada Trail begins south of Brantford on the border of Norfolk and Brant Counties and ends north of the town of Simcoe. Further connections south along the Norfolk Sunrise Trail (3.75km) and the Lynn Valley Trail (10km) connect Brantford to the north shore of Lake Erie at Port Dover, a community along the Lake Erie Waterfront Trail.
- Use the Trans Canada Trail website’s “Explore The Trail” feature to find access points. www.tcttrail.ca
Great Lakes Waterfront Trail – Stretching over 3600km, the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail is a route connecting over 151 communities and First Nations along the Canadian shores of the Great Lakes: Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, Lake Erie, Detroit River and Lake St Clair, Lake Huron, Georgian Bay and the North Channel. The fully signed Trail uses the safest infrastructure possible, a mix of both on-road and off-road facilities, and is primarily paved, with sections of unpaved path and gravel roads. It can be enjoyed for as part of a day trip or on a multi-day long distance cycling adventure.
The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail can be connected to using the Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail for the Lake Ontario trail. To connect to the Lake Erie trail cyclists can use the Trans Canada Trail / Waterford Heritage Trail / Norfolk Sunrise Trail / Lynn Valley Trail.
Rotary Bike Park –The Rotary Bike Park in Brantford, is a City-run stunt biking course. It is free to use and offers a wide selection of opportunities and challenge levels for beginners through to advanced riders. There is free parking on-site as well as nearby washrooms and access to the City’s extensive trail network. It is open May through October from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily (weather permitting).
County of Brant – City of Brantford Outdoor Adventure Map (Print & Digital) – This regional map, offered as an online interactive map and in print, includes information on the trail system through the County of Brant and City of Brantford plus roads designated as bike routes, bike lanes or shared use lanes. It also features visitor services such as camping, washrooms, car parking and picnic areas. Print copies available at Tourism Brantford’s Tourism Information desk (254 North Park Street, Brantford), call 519-442-1818 or email request to tourism@brant.ca.- City of Brantford Trails Map – City trails, trail access points and facilities, points of interest and road routes available for download.
- The Hub of Ontario Trails – Brant’s Crossing – Map showing 8 trails sections and connections from City of Brantford and County of Brant to Hamilton, Waterloo Region, Norfolk County, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.
- Hamilton – Brantford – Cambridge Trails (Maps) – These maps were developed in partnership with the Grand River and Hamilton Conservation Authorities and the City of Brantford. They present details on the trail network from Cambridge to Hamilton, including regional conversation areas, trailhead and parking information.
- Brantford Cyclepath Route Library – Check out a number of favourite local routes from this popular Brantford bike shop, mapped with Strava and Garmin Connect.
Please note there are may be additional trails, routes, events and information resources for the region that may be of interest and useful to cyclists.
City of Brantford & County of Brant – Related Blogs:
Waterways & Wheels – Cycling Through Ontario’s Heritage
What is one of Ontario's best assets? Water, of course! Ontario is home to the Great Lakes (a mammoth 20% of the earth's fresh surface water) and thousands of inland lakes. It's also known as the province with the most canals and waterways, built originally for shipping and military reasons. So, it's no surprise Ontario has a rich maritime history just waiting to be explored.
Bikepacking Ontario Style
Over the last few years, bikepacking has become increasingly popular. It allows for some epic cycle touring and while it can take many forms, it often gets riders out on a more challenging experience exploring exciting areas off the beaten track. With its diverse landscapes and large network of old railway lines, trails and gravel roads, Ontario is an ideal location for a bikepacking adventure.
5 Top Trail Rides East & West
Trail ride suggestions are something we are often asked for at the shows and events we are at with our Ontario Cycle Tourism Info Centre. Time away from traffic, the quieter and often more natural settings that trails travel through are just some of the appeal. Most likely you are well acquainted with the trails close to home, but the following are some of our top trail suggestions to help you get out there and explore more by bike this summer. Happy trails, as they say.
Destination & Regional Partners:
All photos from Destination Brantford.
For more information on accommodations, attractions and activities visit:
Discover Brantford, Good Times in Brant or The Heart of Ontario.