Grand River Country | Trails Take Flight

SC Johnson Trail - Brantford

Latitude/Longitude: 43° 8' 59" N , 80° 17' 39" W

The main SC Johnson Trail runs 11 km from Brantford to Paris. This 6 km portion begins at Wilkes Dam in Brantford where there is a parking lot, and continues 6 km to the Oak Park Road parking lot (off Oak Park Road, just south of Hwy 403). The trail surface is mostly stone dust with some areas of asphalt.

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From Wilkes Dam to Hardy Road, the trail is on the abandoned Lake Erie & Northern Railway grade. It is very easy to follow and has scenic views across the river. Nearing Hardy Road it veers away from the railway grade and becomes hilly. While still easy to navigate on foot, cyclists may have to walk their bikes up the hills.

About mid-way along this section, you will come to a side trail over a pedestrian/water services bridge that crosses the river to Brant Conservation Area and west Brantford. The view from this bridge is very scenic and provides additional views of waterfowl that may be on the river. The trails are multi-use for walkers, runners, cyclists and cross-country skiers.

The trail is generally tree-lined and heavily shaded, although there are sections of tall grass prairie near Glenhyrst Gardens and by the Brantford Golf & Country Club. Benches for resting are available, as are display kiosks with maps and information on history, flora and fauna. Though the start is close to a residential area, trees and bushes shelter the trail environs. Closer to Oak Park Road, the land opens up to a meadow of native grassland.

Trees include varieties of oak, black walnut, fir, and sumac. There are also lilacs, elderberry, wild grape, wild asparagus, milkweed, goldenrod, wild phlox, Queen Anne’s lace, fleabane, and morning glory.

For the birder, species will include Canada Goose, Double-crested Cormorant, a variety of ducks, Red-tailed Hawk, possibly American Kestrel, Blue Jay, Mourning Dove, American Crow, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Northern Flicker, Tree Swallow, Yellow Warbler, Red-winged Blackbird, and Song Sparrow. Grassland species such as Field Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, and possibly Bobolink may be found near the end of this trail section.

Spring and fall migration species would include several warbler species such as Blackburnian and Yellow-rumped; vireos including Philadelphia and Blue-headed; flycatchers such as Alder and Willow, and Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets. Bald Eagles may be seen, especially in the period November through March.

Trail Co-Owner and Co-Manager: City of Brantford
Trail Affiliation: Grand Valley Trail
Trail Affiliation: Trans Canada Trail