Elora Cataract Trailway
Elora Cataract Trailway
4.5
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
About
The 47 kilometre (29 mile) Elora Cataract Trailway links the Grand and Credit watersheds and follows the old Canadian Pacific railroad bed. It runs through rolling countryside east of Elora, through the historic community of Fergus and past Belwood Lake to the Forks of Credit Provincial Park at Cataract. The Grand River Conservation Authority and the Credit Valley Conservation Authority own the trail.
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4.5
45 reviews
Excellent
25
Very good
18
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Wade1958
Kensington, Canada238 contributions
Mar 2016 • Solo
This is one of my local trails and I have walked or biked it several times between Erin and Elora. Most parts are really wide and couples can walk without having to give way. The section through Fergus (from Freshco on the west side to the Nexen plant on the east side deviates from the old railway route and follows a hodgepodge of streets and sidewalks through town (Hill Street to Garafraxa then north on Gartshore) There is limited signage but it took me years to notice it and it is not particularly intuitive. Garafraxa can be very busy so the walk can be a little more leisurely if you follow Hill St all the way to Gartshore or jump north across Garafraxa to the parallel street which is Forfar.
There are multiple subtrails : two of the more interesting are Trestle Bridge (from Freshco to the Gorge Country Kitchen in Elora which has spectacular views up and down the Grand River and Bissell Park near downtown Elora which has a pedestrian bridge across the Grand River and the remnants of an old millworks.
There are multiple subtrails : two of the more interesting are Trestle Bridge (from Freshco to the Gorge Country Kitchen in Elora which has spectacular views up and down the Grand River and Bissell Park near downtown Elora which has a pedestrian bridge across the Grand River and the remnants of an old millworks.
Written 22 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vince p m
St. Catharines, Canada59 contributions
Aug 2019
Over 12 years ago I cycled the Trail end-to-end for the first time. With the aid of a new bike, I have recently cycled segments of the trail and found each very enjoyable. The trail skirts around one of Ontario's best butter tart outlets in Belwood. It is worth the half kilometre side track to visit this store.
The former railway trail is hard pack stone dust and is a joy to cycle
The former railway trail is hard pack stone dust and is a joy to cycle
Written 6 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
0416
Region of Waterloo, Canada128 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
We parked very close to 680 Gartshore Rd. in Fergus where there is a decent sized parking lot and clean port-a-potty, then rode to Belwood Lake - that was really only 25 minutes each way with a comfortable pace. The trail is clean, flat and easy to ride. No big rocks or tree roots sticking out. That said you are surrounded by tree's so it is still pretty. Would definitely ride it again and maybe try a different part of it - maybe start at Belwood Lake and go beyond that.
Written 31 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tiggerfitzpat
Baden, Canada16 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
Beautiful for biking and hiking in the summer. Gage your trip as it is a long hike with few places to stop for food or facilities. Unfortunately it is taken over in the winter by snowmobiles and it is noisy and smelly. Some users as not very courteous to walkers and their pets. Be careful. Also nice for horse riders.
Written 18 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin B
16 contributions
Jun 2016
Use this trail a lot to bike and hike,... great access points starting in Elora, relatively flat and easy to bike and walk... great scenery and quiet rural sights.
Written 24 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KathleenR_28
Port Dover, Canada6,731 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
The ECT is an easy trail, flat all the way. It is very picturesque and provides great views of the Grand River. For those who wish to get a good cycling workout, this would be a good option. It is 47 kms. long (one way) connecting Elora and Forks of the Credit.
One will pass by Belwood Lake, a 12-km. reservoir which resulted from the creation of the Shand Dam. On good weather days, and the many times I went back to do some more exploration of the ECT, I have seen lots of people fishing, swimming, boating, etc., on the lake.
This trail is beautiful at any time of the year. I have done fall and winter hikes here (mind you, though, it can be very, very icy) as well as have cycled portions of the trail.
One will pass by Belwood Lake, a 12-km. reservoir which resulted from the creation of the Shand Dam. On good weather days, and the many times I went back to do some more exploration of the ECT, I have seen lots of people fishing, swimming, boating, etc., on the lake.
This trail is beautiful at any time of the year. I have done fall and winter hikes here (mind you, though, it can be very, very icy) as well as have cycled portions of the trail.
Written 25 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
webgoddesscathy
Toronto, Canada191 contributions
Sept 2016 • Friends
My friend and I did an 80km ride from Elora to Erin and back in a day. It's fairly flat, so easy enough for those who aren't super cyclers like us. It's also quite well-signed, even through Fergus when it's on-street through the town. We went through moody, magical forest, sunny farmer's fields, and over the Grand River at Belwood Conversation Area's Shand Dam (which was my favourite part).
Written 5 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wanderlots
Toronto, Canada151 contributions
May 2016 • Solo
Horse. Bike. Run. Walk. Ski. This trail is great. It's a bit flat but it's never boring. I've spent over 20 years exploring this trail and still enjoy it. My most treasured memory is meeting a roving bear just out of Guelph on Ariss side road. He ambled on as bears are wont to do. There are coyotes about and deer and scads of birds. Farm dogs sometimes meet you as do some riding schools. Never a problem though. Biggest problem is bugs: you might want to coat yourself in tick and mosquito spray....
Written 25 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Slainte2010
Toronto, Canada28 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
The Elora Cataract Trailway was originally the route of the Credit Valley Railway. The whole route is about 47km long through very flat terrain, which makes it suitable for people looking for a leisurely hiking or biking experience. The surface is mostly packed dirt and wide enough to accommodate a couple of cyclists riding side by side. The trail is accessible at multiple points along its route as it passes through the towns of Erin, Hillsburgh, Orton and Fergus before ending (or beginning, depending which end you start at) in Elora. The route takes you through forests, fields and wetlands, so you can expect to see wildlife such as deer, beaver and blue heron. If you feel like bringing along a picnic, stop at the Bellwood Conservation area for a break and take in the view from the Shand Dam. It's a beautiful park and well worth a visit.
Written 18 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate B
Canada22 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
A great trail for walking or cycling. I rode my bicycle from Elora to a couple of km the other side of Fergus, and will come back and start earlier next time so I can take in more of this pastoral trail. It's an easy ride, well maintained and quite level. Even in the wind from an approaching rainstorm, it was somewhat protected by the trees along the path, so it didn't get too challenging. However, if you're not used to cycling in traffic, you'll want to plan to walk through Fergus or start at a different point. Overall, an enjoyable way to spend a summer afternoon.
Written 11 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Its not ideal for road bikes as you will be riding on gravel, unless you have cross trail tires on your bike like the continental travel contact you might suffer punctures. If you do have something strong with a Kevlar reinforcement you should be ok as it is pretty flat and without potholes.
Written 2 August 2018
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