Trails
With over 70km of natural trails, Brantford is the perfect destination for hiking and cycling enthusiasts. The serene Grand River, a designated Canadian Heritage River, weaves its way alongside our beautiful trail system providing the perfect backdrop. Your options are endless as The Hub of Ontario Trails connects you to Hamilton, Paris, Port Dover, Cambridge, and beyond.
Trail Access Points
While there are many points in the city in which to access the trails, there are some that are easier to access than others, including:
Visit the main City of Brantford website for more information on our trails, including a map with all of the access points.
Trail-side Attractions
There are many places to stop and see on your adventure along the trail system. Some notable attractions include:
- Bell Homestead National Historic Site
- Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant
- Earl Haig Family Fun Park
- Mohawk Park
Popular Trails in Brantford
Gordon Glaves Grand River Loop – 15.6km
A popular route to explore Brantford. This loop has access points from several locations, offering several options for parking. Great for a bike ride (approx. 60-90 minutes) or a long walk (approx. 3.5 to 4 hours). Some sections of the route are paved, and the rest is gravel. A large portion of it is located right along the Grand River so you can enjoy some beautiful views. The trail access points include:
Brantford to Mount Pleasant Nature Park – 17.4 km
Walking or biking this route utilizes the LE&N and TH&B Trails, which would meet up right after the Mount Pleasant Nature Park to go all the way to Port Dover if continuing on. This route can start with the TH&B trail all the way to Mount Pleasant Nature Park. To make it a full loop, this route takes the LE&N trail back for some different scenery. The TH&B section is paved, and the LE&N section is gravel.
Gilkison Flats – under 5km
A small area to enjoy trails by the river. Can be a very short loop or you can take your time exploring the area. Great for a nice hike or walk, or a short bike ride. Parking can be found near the Steve Brown Sports Complex. The main trail can be found towards the trees and the river across the street. This could also be a great addition to make a route longer, as it does overlap with some of the main trails.
S.C. Johnson Trail to Paris – 11km
A route that follows the Grand River to Paris, Ontario. This trail can then continue on the Rail Trail from Cambridge to Paris. The two trail access points in Brantford include:
Brantford to Hamilton Rail Trail – 32km
A fully gravel trail. This route starts in the east end of Brantford and goes all the way to Hamilton. The route can also be extended more into Brantford, continuing on the trail going west. There are a few different points on the trail that are recommended to start this route. Depending on where you start, it could vary the distance slightly. The main trail access points in Brantford include:
- Beach Rd.
- Greenwich St.
- Mohawk Park
Major Trails Systems
There are several trail systems that travel through Brantford, with many sections being part of the Trans Canada Trails. Some of the key routes in Brantford include:
- Brocks Route – This trail travels all the way from Port Dover to Hamilton, making its way through Brantford. This is the route Sir Isaac Brock took during the War of 1812.
- LE&N Rail Trail – Following the former LE & N Electric Rail Car route, this trail comes through Brantford and continues on through Mount Pleasant and all the way to Port Dover.
- TH&B Rail Trail – On the former path of the Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo Rail Line, this trail goes from Brantford to Mount Pleasant and links with the LE&N trail all the way to Port Dover.
Trail Mix
Explore Brantford’s beautiful trail system while listening to curated playlists by local artists with Trail Mix. Trail users can look for the Trail Mix signs posted on the kilometer markers along the Hardy Rd. trail entrance spanning 10 kilometers to the River Road/Dike Trail intersection. Using your smartphone, scan the QR codes on each sign to gain access to free curated playlists, performed by local artists in a range of musical styles.
Grand Valley Trails
The Grand Valley Trail Association maintains several groomed hiking trails in the Brantford area. Please note that these trails are not maintained by the City of Brantford.