Photo credit: Le Tour de Norfolk
Norfolk County offer cyclists numerous appealing on-road cycling routes and off-road trails, whether along the north shore of Lake Erie, following the Grand River or through agricultural communities into quiet countryside. Cyclists can explore towns and cities en route and enjoy a full range of services catering to visitors year round.
The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail follows the scenic shores of Lake Erie passing through a number of lakeside communities, beaches, naturalized areas and local attractions across Norfolk County and links to the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail in nearby Niagara.
An off road trail north from Port Dover, makes for a pleasant ride and is also an easy way to connect to Brantford and VIA Rail Bike Train options. Forest trails also offer mountain bikers a reason to journey to the region. Known for local foods, no cyclist will go hungry or thirsty pairing a cycling experience with culinary adventure in Norfolk County.
The 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 Waterfront Trail runs over 70 km through Norfolk County from Crescent Bay in the east to Long Point and Houghton Centre in the west.
For information and to access downloadable maps visit www.WaterfrontTrail.org
Trans Canada Trail (TCT) – A portion of this cross-Canada trail runs through Norfolk County. Multi-use trails with various surface types.
Delhi Rail Trail – This converted railway corridor, known as the old CN Rail Line, connects the neighbouring towns of Simcoe and Delhi in Norfolk County. In Simcoe, access the trail just off Norfolk Street North on Davis Street. The trail heads west to Fertilizer Road, just east of Delhi, with access points at Park Road near the Toyotetsu Plant, at Windham East Quarterline Road, Nixon Road and Windham West Quarterline Road. The gravel trail is approximately 18 km long. See also below listing for Norfolk County Trails (under Norfolk County – Published Maps) for trail map.- Waterford Heritage Trail – This 18 km gravel trail in Norfolk County runs north into Brant County. The trail boasts a 166 m long high-level bridge, called the Black Bridge, with panoramic views of the Waterford Ponds.
Norfolk Sunrise Trail – This 4 km gravel trail runs through Simcoe and follows the historical Lake Erie and Northern Railway line north to the 13th Concession of Townsend. Constructed in 2009, this trail connects the Lynn Valley Trail that runs south to Port Dover (see under Norfolk County – Cycle Routes & Trails Information) and the Waterford Heritage Trail.- Lynn Valley Trail – This 10 km trail is located on the former CNR rail line that was established along the pioneer river trail in 1873 as the Lake Huron and Port Dover Railway. The trail connects the business districts of Simcoe and Port Dover, passing through a number of different habitats including mixed woods, wetlands, open grassland and agricultural land, all along the scenic Lynn River. For trail map, see below listing for Norfolk County Trails, under Norfolk County – Published Maps.
- Use the Trans Canada Trail website’s “Explore The Trail” feature to find access points.
On-Road Cycling Routes
The following on-road bike routes are identified and published with detailed information, online and print maps plus downloadable PDF options. They are also featured in the annual Norfolk Tourism map. See map listed under Norfolk County – Published Maps, below.
- Carolinian Tour – 75 km
- Turbine Tour – 80 km
- Port Town Tour – 55 km
- Big Creek Circle – 100 km
- Talbot Tour – 50 km
- Heart of Windham – 40 km
- Antique Tour – 60 km
- Waterfront Trail
Off-Road Trails
- Norfolk Trails – This resource offers outdoor enthusiasts a one-stop shop for trail information in Norfolk County. The site is mobile-friendly and offers users access to downloadable pdf maps on various trail terrain, including detailed information on mountain biking, as well as on-road and off-road touring options for cyclists.
- Lynn Valley Trail – This 10 km trail is located on the former CNR rail line that was established along the pioneer river trail in 1873 as the Lake Huron and Port Dover Railway. The trail connects the business districts of Simcoe and Port Dover, passing through a number of different habitats including mixed woods, wetlands, open grassland and agricultural land, all along the scenic Lynn River. For trail map, see below listing for Norfolk County Trails, under Norfolk County – Published Maps.
- Connecting to Brant County & Brantford & beyond – From Port Dover, cyclists can make their way north to the Brantford area, taking the Lynn Valley Trail, which connects to the Norfolk Sunrise Trail, which in turn connects to the Waterford Heritage Trail. Further trails can connect cyclists to Brantford. Additional rail trails continue through to Hamilton. o See above listings for Trans Canada Trail (under Cross-Regional Cycle Routes & Trails Information) and Lynn Valley Trail.
- Turkey Point Area (Norfolk) – The area has over 85km of single track mountain biking trails connected to various facilities including Long Point Eco Adventures (LPEA) and Burning Kiln Winery. There are a number of trailheads within the Provincial Park and also at LPEA. The trails are managed by the Turkey Point Mountain Bike Club. Download detailed PDF Trail map here.
Turkey Point Mountain Bike Itinerary – This one-page mountain bike itinerary for Turkey Point curates the ‘best of’ restaurants and cafes, as well as places to lay your head! This is an Ontario’s Southwest Cycling Itinerary.
- St. Williams Conservation Reserve (Norfolk) – This 1,035 hectare area of Crown land comprises two separate locations – the Nursery Tract and the Turkey Point Tract – within the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve. All trails on the property are open to passive recreation (e.g., walking, hiking, and hunting) unless otherwise posted. Posted trails with specific uses may include multi-use trails (motorized use, cycling), equestrian trails and mountain bike trails. Download Nursery Tract trail map here. and the Download Turkey Point Tract trail map here.
Norfolk Trail Map (ArcGIS) – This resource offers outdoor enthusiasts a one-stop shop for trail information in Norfolk County. The site is mobile-friendly and offers users access to downloadable pdf maps on various trail terrain, including detailed information on mountain biking, as well as on-road and off-road touring options for cyclists.- Norfolk County Visitor Guide & Cycling Maps. Print copies available: Contact Norfolk Tourism by calling 519-426-9497 or 1-800-699-9038
- Visit Norfolk – NEW Mobile Tourism App
- Explore Norfolk Trails – Find downloadable and on-line maps and detailed biking information. On-road cycle touring routes including: Carolinian Tour; Turbine Tour; Port Town Tour; South Coast Tour; Big Creek Circle; Talbot Tour; Heart of Windham; Antique Tour. Off-road trails, routes and mountain biking including: Delhi Rail Trail; Lynn Valley Trail; Norfolk Sunrise Trail; Waterford Heritage Trail; Backus Woods Trail; Hay Creek Trail.
- Turkey Point Mountain Bike Club – View and download detailed map showing all mountain biking trails in Turkey Point Provincial Park and St. Williams Conservation Reserve.
- Pathways for People. This community coalition promotes pathways for walking and cycling in Norfolk County for health, recreation and active transportation. The site lists a number of multi-use trails, offering downloadable map jpegs, descriptions and photos.
* Please note there are many additional map guides for the region that cyclists may find interesting or useful. New maps and guides are produced yearly, and the information listed here may change.
* Please note there may be additional map guides for the region that cyclists may find interesting or useful. New maps and guides are produced yearly, and the information listed here may change.
For more information on accommodation, attractions and activities within Norfolk County visit Norfolk County Tourism, & Ontario’s Southwest.
Destination & Regional Partners
