Jewels of Grand Valley Trail - Belwood: Belwood Lake/Elora - 10 to 11 km

About this hike: This hike will be in Belwood Section: Belwood Lake to Elora. Starting at Belwood Lake Conservation Area, this scenic Grand Valley Trail hike follows the shoreline of Belwood Lake before winding through a mix of mature forest, open meadows, and rolling countryside characteristic of the upper Grand River watershed. Hikers will enjoy peaceful stretches beneath towering hardwoods, occasional glimpses of the reservoir, and picturesque rural landscapes as the trail meanders north toward the village of Belwood. The route offers a pleasant combination of natural beauty and gentle terrain, making it an excellent choice for hikers looking to explore one of the Grand Valley Trail's most accessible sections. The hike concludes at the Belwood Lions Community Centre.

About this series: Jewels of Grand Valley Trail is a series of hikes highlighting the beautiful parts of GVT in all 4 sections. Those hikes will range from about 6 km to 15 km. They will be led by Jeanette, Jane, Eva and Brandon through months of August to October. Come and enjoy the beauty of our trail!

Hike leader: Brandon Correia
Contact: brandoncorreia8240@gmail.com | 519-500-2861

About the leader: Brandon has been actively hiking with the GVTA and Bruce Trail organizations since 2022 and enjoys intermediate to longer distance hikes, most specifically on the GVT and Bruce Trail.    

Where: Belwood Lake / Elora
Length: 10 to 11 km
Category:  Car shuttle
Pace and duration: Medium – 3.5-4 km/hr
Hike level: Intermediate (2) – Variety of terrain

Parking and departure: We will meet at 8:15 am, the roadside parking area by the Lions Community Centre, corner of George and Queen St in Belwood beside the park , (43.791339, -80.32252).
We will car shuttle from there at 8:30 am to the start of the hike at the Belwood Lake Conservation area (first parking lot on the left just past the Gatehouse, 43.733159, -80.333932) – please note that a Grand River Conservation Area pass is required for anyone driving a car into the Conservation Area – please don’t purchase parking in advance as we will only need to take as many cars as we need to shuttle everyone and some hikers might already have a GRCA pass.

Directions: Please use your favourite GPS app to obtain directions.
 
What to wear and bring: Please bring plenty of water (at least 2L) and snacks. Hiking boots/sturdy footwear are required, be prepared for the weather, rain gear as necessary, bug spray and sunscreen. Hiking poles are optional. 

Sorry, no dogs on GVTA hikes with the exception of certified service dogs.

ALL ARE WELCOME ON OUR HIKES. Membership is encouraged as it helps to support our trails, $30 per household. To become a member please go to: https://www.gvta.on.ca/Membership.