Trail Systems in Grand Valley

The Town of Grand Valley is Nature's Playground. Our system of trails offers one way to get out to experience this playground, and we're working on ways to expand! The attached map shows the walkways and paths throughout the village - village trails map. The Town also owns the former CP Rail line running near the southern boarder of the municipality, and a dedicated group of volunteers maintains the trail for users in all seasons. See below for information on the Upper Grand Trailway.

Upper Grand Trailway

The Upper Grand Trailway is a 4 season nature trail that is 10.5 km in length. The old abandoned CPR line has been lovingly resurfaced to provide hikers, cyclists, cross country skiers and horseback riders access to the wonders of the countryside. It also accommodates snowmobilers with a valid permit in the winter season, but motorized vehicles are otherwise forbidden.

About the Trailway

The Trail begins at Waldemar and runs westward, crossing over a unique brick-lined culvert that was built in the early 1900s. The Boyne Creek runs through this culvert to join up with the Grand River. As the trail winds westward, you reach County Rd. 125. Here you can take a side tour by sidewalk heading north into the quaint village of Grand Valley to enjoy the friendly hospitality. Notice the Grand River heads north with you. Once back on the Trail, you can continue to head westward and you will see the old train station which is now a private residence. Further down the trail to the west, is a new bridge over the Boyne Creek. This bridge was funded by a Trillium Foundation Grant.

When you reach concession 24/25, you can either follow the gravel road north to the Luther Marsh or you can continue on the trail to the East/West Luther Townline where, as of 2018, it meets the West Luther Trailway that continues along the former rail corridor to Arthur.

Rehabilitation of the Upper Grand Trailway (2022)

Visit the Town's Community Events Calendar for upcoming events!

Find the Upper Grand Trailway on the AllTrails webpage and app!

button to the All Trails website

History of the Upper Grand Trailway

The railroad corridor actually predates "Grand Valley". Grand Valley went through a variety of names (including simply "Luther", as it is shown on this map from the 1880s) before settling on Grand Valley in the 1890s.

The Upper Grand Trailway is built on a foundation of 150 years of transportation history. The former Toronto Grey and Bruce Railway line was built in 1870, leased by the CPR in 1883 and served East Luther Grand Valley until August 13, 1984 when the last freight train passed through our community.

For over a decade there was no official use for the rail corridor. The rails were ripped up and the bridges were allowed to fall into disrepair.

Ownership of the right of way was transferred to the Township of East Luther Grand Valley (now the Town of Grand Valley) on February 9, 1998 and remained greatly untouched until 2001 when the Trailway Committee was formed. Over the years we have undertaken many improvements of the old railbed, including construction of a new bridge over the Boyne Creek.

The Trailway Committee's vision is to provide residents and visitors with recreational and outdoor educational opportunities while preserving a linear green belt. The trailway was officially opened September 17, 2005.

Issues along the Trailway

Poison Parsnip - Careful what you touch!

Recently Poison Parsnip has been sighted encroaching on the trailway between Hwy 25 and the East-Luther-Amaranth Townline. The operations committee has removed some tall plants near the trailway and flagged the rest with caution tape until further remedial action can be taken. Please exercise extreme caution when using the trailway in this area, especially with pets or young children who might stray off the trail's maintained surface. For more information about the hazard of Poison Parsnip please click this link to the Ontario Invasive Species Awareness Program website.

Reporting Problems to the Trailway Committee

Trail Captains inspect the Trailway for issues on a weekly basis. If regular users notice an issue, they are welcome to file a Trail Inspection Report at the link below. We appreciate any and all help in keeping our Trailway in good condition!

Upper Grand Trailway Donors

The following is a list of local businesses, groups and individuals that have contributed to the Trailway either financially or in-kind. The Trailway is very grateful for their contributions.

Dean Tait Construction

Allto Construction

Amaranth Aggregates

Rev. Dr. Ron Archer

Arthur Snowblazers

Rev. Jan Aylward

Collins Barrow

Mr. & Mrs. Fred Batchelor

Julie Baulishberger

Dr. B.J. Beresford

Bill Smith Fencing

Harold & Karen Black

Brewed Awakenings

Ross & Grace Brown

Burdette Wildlife Gallery

Joan Corbett and Family

Bill Cowie - Ferocity Design

Rick & Thora Clarke and Family

Robert & Barbara Crane and Family

Davison Bus Lines

Jean & Roy Davison

Ruth Demeter and Family

Fines Home Hardware of Shelburne

Flanagan Tree Service

George's Family Restaurant

Girl Guides Canada

Kent Glassford and Family

Rita Glassford

Bruce Gowland

Grace E. Brown Insurance

Jim & Bev Graham

Grand Valley Crane Service

Grand Valley Drug Store

Grand Valley Home Hardware

Grand Valley Lions' Club

Grand Valley Royal Bank

Grand View Video

Greenwood Ready Mix

Hamilton House Bed & Breakfast of Waldemar

Hands on Health Care

Jim Hastings and Family

Headwaters Plumbing

Jim & Pat Hearder

Hinds Foodland

Neil & Ellie Hogendoorn

In-Tir-Na-Nog Bed & Breakfast

Jarrett Construction

Judy Lalingo

Mr. & Mrs. Ewald Lammerding

Landsborough Printing

Myron & Jane Lasko

Maple Leaf Farm

Marie's Valley Inn

Irvine & Vada McCrone and Family

Barb McKinney & Family

Gary McLean

Midwestern Co-op

Klem & Linda Moffatt and Family

Mr. & Mrs. Nehrenheim

Orangeville Precast

Ontario Corvette Corral

Orica

Donald & Jeanette Potter and Family

Presbyterian Church of Grand Valley

Bill & Bev Pullen

Remax - Donna Marie Davison

Vi Robson & Family

Rona Cashway

Shell GV Gas & Variety

Karen Smith

Donna Steele

Styling Essentials

Universal Rental

Margaret VanDenHoek

Wellington Construction

Whispering Pines Landscaping

RES Canada Construction (Ontario) LP

INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORTERS

We are also grateful for contributions from many institutional and government donors. These kind entities are also recognized on our kiosk where the Trailway meets Dufferin County Rd. 25 (at Grand Valley).

The Ontario Trillium Foundation: The Upper Grand Trailway received a grant in 2013 from The Ontario Trillium Foundation to increase the safety and accessibility of the trailway by installing all new gates along the trailway system.
The Grand River Conservation Foundation: The Upper Grand Trailway received a grant from the Grand River Conservation Foundation in 2011 to erect a kiosk at the Waldemar trailhead. The kiosk will have a user map of the trailway and relate local history pertaining to the old railway that once ran through the hamlet and now forms the Trailway.
The Grand River Conservation Authority: The Upper Grand Trailway received a grant from The Grand River Conservation Authority in 2004 to plant 1300 trees along the trailway. The conservation authority has since donated hundreds of trees for our annual tree planting initiatives.
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation: In 2003, the Trailway also received a grant from The Friends of the Environment Foundation.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation: The Upper Grand Trailway received a grant in 2005 from The Ontario Trillium Foundation to replace the missing bridge over the Boyne Creek. We also received a grant from the Ontario Ministry of Recreation and Tourism to promote the trailway.
The Town of Grand Valley: The Upper Grand Trailway continues to receive generous support from the Town of Grand Valley.
Township of Amaranth: The Township of Amaranth also continues to support the Upper Grand Trailway financially.