The Trail
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The Elora Cataract Trailway is owned by the Credit Valley and Grand River Conservation Authorities and is managed by them in cooperation with the Elora Cataract Trailway Association. |
Home Sweet Home... for the Birds The birds thank Wayne Prowse, keeper of the bird feeders, and Barbara Haslett, who contributes bird feed. Photo by Tom Skimson |
Trestle BridgePhoto by J.W. Wilton |
From Beginning to End The Village of Elora has many amenities that draw visitors, the trailway being one of them. The trailway starts at the eastern fringe of Elora, where the Grand River Conservation Authority has constructed a parking lot and kiosk. The trail surface is stone dust about 3 metres wide, and is about as close to flat as you will find. After about 2 km the trail enters the Town of Fergus. Signs direct the cyclist or walker along local streets. |
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On the eastern boundary of Fergus the gravelled trailway resumes. There are a few road crossings,
but otherwise the trailway is continuous to the Shand Dam. As you cross the dam, you will see
Lake Belwood on the left and to your right is the picturesque valley of the Grand River. This
entire area is part of the GRCA's Belwood Lake Conservation Area, where there are washrooms and
a host of recreational features such as boating and fishing. As a trail user, you are permitted
to pass through without admission charges, though you are asked to pay should you wish to stop
and use the amenities of the conservation area. At the eastern end of the trail is the community of Cataract. It is named for a waterfall on the Credit River, located within the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park. The trail begins within this park and is well worth a visit. The scenery is wonderful and there are many hiking trails in the park that are worth exploring. Walk your bike if it is busy along the hiking trails, and some cyclists may feel more comfortable walking their bikes along the cycling trail where it skirts the gorge. |
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The Exchange Hotel, in Hillsburgh Illustration by Eleanor Smith |
Outside the park the trail heads westward along a narrow but smooth track. It soon gets wider and is a pleasant ride to Erin. The village centre is about 500 metres to the south, a pleasant village and worth a visit. The trail continues west of Erin to Hillsburgh, then on to Orton, Belwood and the Belwood Conservation area. |
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A Brief History
The Elora Cataract Trailway was originally the route of the Credit Valley Railway. The main line was constructed in 1879 between Toronto and Orangeville, and the branch line from Cataract to Elora was built at the same time.
In 1883, the Credit Valley Railway was incorporated into the Ontario and Quebec Railway, and the following year it was leased to the Canadian Pacific Railway. It operated as the CPR's Elora subdivision until 1988, when it was abandoned.
Wellington Place at sunset
Photo by J.W. Wilton
The Grand River and Credit Valley Conservation Authorities acquired the right-of-way in 1993. Acquisition of the abandoned CP rail corridor and its development as a Trailway have been made possible by the financial support of the Province of Ontario, the Grand Valley Conservation Foundation, corporate and private donors, service clubs, user groups, and by the support of local citizens.
A community group, the Elora Cataract Trailway Association, has been working with the two conservation authorities to bring the project to fruition. The goal is to create a greenway or linear park through which people can explore their environment in different ways while, at the same time, encouraging the protection of natural and cultural heritage values.
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Suitability and Accessibility
Board Member Chris Bailey on the Trailway Photo by Burna Wilton |
The Elora to Belwood
section is best for both wheelchairs and children. There are road crossings and some
carry a fair bit of traffic, so children should be supervised. The
Fergus section is along village streets and some may be busy. |
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The Hillsburgh to Cataract section and Belwood to Hillsburgh section have been improved and
should be good enough for wheelchairs. |
Board Member Chris Bailey on the Trailway Photo by Burna Wilton |