Headwaters Communities in ActionThe Grand River Trail
Yellow swallowtail on echinacea. Photo courtesy of Martin Mcreath.
The Grand River and its major tributaries, the Nith, Conestogo, Speed and Eramosa Rivers, flow through the heartland of southern Ontario. Meandering by farms, towns and cities, winding through marshes and forests, it is the common thread that links a harmonious blend of natural and cultural landscapes.
The Grand River Trail is a marked footpath stretching more than 275 km between Rock Point Provincial Park on Lake Erie to the town of Alton.
The Grand River Trails Association is a non-profit organization administered by a ten-member board of directors, elected each year at the annual general meeting. The mandate of the association is to build and maintain hiking trails in the Grand River Valley.
| Name | The Grand River Trail |
| Description | The Grand River hiking trail follows the Grand River Valley 275 km south from the Bruce Trail near Alton to Rock Point Provincial Park on Lake Erie. |
| Activities | Hiking, walking, snowshoeing, and backcountry. |
| Location | The Grand Valley Trail is a 275-km main trail stretching from Rockpoint Provincial Park on Lake Erie (south of Dunnville) to the top of the pinnacle in Alton, a small village near Orangeville. Alton is about 80 km northwest of downtown Toronto. The trail crosses roads at many points along its length (listed in the club’s guidebook). |
| Maps | Purchase GVTA Guide |
| Parking | Yes |
| Trail Head | Port Maitland 42.866035,-79.565699 |
| Trail End | Alton 43.860379,-80.068796 |
| Distance | 275 km |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate |
| Surfaces | Natural |
| Amenities | Several towns along the way |
| Landmarks | The Grand River valley |
| Cost | Membership in the GVTA helps support the trail. |
| Trail Web Site | Grand Valley Trail Association Walk and Roll Peel |
| Closest Town | Alton |
