SC Johnson Trail
SC Johnson Trail
4.5
About
The SC Johnson Trail runs 14 kilometres (9 miles) between Paris and Brantford. It travels through farm fields, rare prairie grasslands and provides several scenic vistas overlooking the Grand River. The trail is finished with stone dust and has some steep hills. A few short sections follow municipal roadways so watch for traffic. The brochure, Explore the Hamilton-Brantford-Cambridge Trails, includes a map and descriptions of highlights along the trail. The SC Johnson Trail follows the abandoned Lake Erie and Northern Railway bed and was completed in 1998 through a generous donation by SC Johnson and Son Ltd. of Brantford to the Grand River Conservation Foundation.
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles53 reviews
Excellent
36
Very good
13
Average
2
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Romsroms
Hamilton, Canada36 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2015 • Couples
Biked the SC Johnson Trail from Brantford to Paris and back. Parked at Waterworks Park in Brantford and got on to the trail at the 43 km mark. the initial trail is an elevated asphalted old rail trail with beautful woods on either side. You pass the Wilkes dam not long after where there is limited parking too. Trail passes through the affluent Holmesdale area of Brantford with nice homes. Then the trail enters a section with fine gravel and slightly uphill. nice view of the Grand river ox bow section. passes through fields and meadows, another wooded section and an area with many ups and downs. crosses over the 403 and then is the powerline entrance to the trail head which is at the 54km mark on the border of Brantford. another
3 km and you enter Dundas street in Paris near the fire station. the trail enters an elevated area from where you can see the grand river and Paris in the distance. its another 3 km to downtown Paris making a total of 17 km one way. its a beautiful ride there and back and we did a leisurely ride and it took us 2 hours each way. lovely wildflowers on the trail side, also saw some deer and heard and saw many birds: catbird, goldfinch, yello warbler, common yellow throat, cardinal, chickaee, etc
Written August 3, 2015
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.

Marilyn_from_Ontario
Princeton, Ontario27 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2015 • Couples
What a treasure. We get on a Curtis Ave, Paris or Oak Park Road and cycle to Spalding Avenue. Easy with some hills and curves. Clean. Fellow cyclists and walkers so friendly. Great pic opportunities.
Written June 30, 2015
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.

JeffBrand
Brantford, Canada53 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2014 • Solo
I can't believe I've lived in Brantford for so many years and didn't know about these old rail trails! Some are paved, some are gravel, and almost everybody is friendly. Please be courteous whether you're walking your dog or riding your bike. What I mean is, call out ahead if your'e on a bike, (They're quiet!), and don't let your dog stretch the leash across the path or walk in a group side-by-side preventing bikes from continuing on... The path is there for all of us!

Breathtaking views, and a little bit of history await you down these paths.

Bring a drink, and a snack, and you'll have a lovely afternoon.
Written April 21, 2015
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.

Peter B
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022
We set out last week from the vicinity of Wilkes Dam with the intention of making it to Paris then Cambridge by bicycle. The trail by the dam is on top of an old railway embankment that is quite narrow and in my view, unsafe, as there is a steep drop down either side into the woods or the river if you need to get off the trail to let someone pass and avoid a collision. Further north the trail was alternately paved and not paved with significant patches of soft gravel that twisted our front wheels out of alignment. The trail was somewhat busy with other riders coming at us at top speed through these tricky areas that could have resulted in a serious collision.
After several stretches like that, we simply called it a day and pedaled back to Brantford for a coffee. It was very disappointing.
Written September 6, 2022
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.

JKNonthego
Ontario, Canada15 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2016 • Couples
We parked just outside of Paris (ON) in one of the trailside lots provided for trail users. Rural location, but quite a few other cars were also parked there when we left our vehicle and started our cycling trip. Got back to find a back window had been smashed on our car. Have since heard that this happens quite frequently, and that day there had been a number of smash-&-grabs in the area. The trail itself was ok, a little more hilly than we expected, and not as scenic as other trails we have cycled. Don't think we'll go there again.
Written September 14, 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.

John W
Toronto, Canada37 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2014 • Friends
The portion of the SC Johnson Trail heading north from Wilkes Dam (Parkside Drive & Lafayette Ave) is a gem. The Blue Circle loop hugs the Grand River, offering visitors incredible vista as you walk past Glenhyrst Gardens & the Brantford Golf & Country Club. The trail is frequented by local residents (in the affluent Holmedale neighbourhood).
Written September 11, 2014
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.

Kim H
20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2019
This is an amazing place to walk or to ride your bike. River, trees, nesting turtles, birds and butterflies and much, much more...walk as long or as little as you would like. Bring your camera or just remember the beautiful nature scenes in your mind. Listen to the sounds of nature and truly get balanced again.
Written September 4, 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.

Elsie B
Brantford, Canada6 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2018
We have hiked some different parts of this trail, but our favourite would be to start at Wilkes Dam and head south. This past spring and summer we were able to spot the bald eagles nesting on the other side of the river. They would sometimes soar overhead or swoop down to catch fish in the river. You can choose to walk an unpaved path along the river, or you can take the paved path a little further inland. We often take bikes/ripsticks/flickers and enjoy the paved path. It's a nice way to get out with family and friends.
Written January 16, 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.

Shaune L
Hamilton, Canada31 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2018 • Solo
Easy to get to, and a beautiful walk, ride or run! I use it for all three, year round.
Great for exercise...a stroll...or just some fresh air. Benches are located along the pathway.
What would be ideal is the installation of a source for clean drinking water in the warm months!
Written July 10, 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.

Supervic_0000
12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2018 • Friends
Great trails with a beautiful view of the Grand River. Lots of nature.. deer birds and many other wildlife encounters. All paved trails for your biking or blading needs :)
Written June 18, 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.

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SC Johnson Trail - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about SC Johnson Trail