Lynn Valley Trail - Norfolk Pathways

The Lynn Valley Trail is located on the former CNR rail line which was established along the pioneer river trail in 1873 as the Lake Huron and Port Dover Railway. The rail line was abandoned in 1988. The rail line was purchased as a potential utilities corridor by the Regional Municipality of Haldimand-Norfolk in 1991. The Lynn Valley Trail Association (LVTA) was formed in 1988 as a lobby group to promote preservation of the route as a multipurpose corridor to include hiking and cycling and in May 1993, the Lynn Valley Trail was officially opened.

The LVTA acts as caretaker of this scenic route maintaining the trail with volunteer labour, and financed by donations and trail memberships. The 10 km trail connects the business districts of Simcoe and Port Dover. The Lynn Valley Trail passes through a number of different habitats including mixed woods, wetlands, open grassland and agricultural land, all along the scenic Lynn River. Interesting examples of Carolinian flora and fauna may be found along the trail. You may catch a glimpse of cardinals, bluebirds and red-tailed hawks along with chipmunks, deer, raccoons, turtles and frogs. Each season brings interesting displays of plant life including multi-flora rose, skunk cabbage and trilliums in the spring, lobelias, white snakeroot and Grass of Parnassus in the summer and asters, grasses and goldenrod in the fall (for more information on the habitats and plants of the trail visit www.lynnvalleytrail.com).

The LVTA has done extensive work on the rail-trail since its establishment in 1993. There are four original trestle bridges which have been reinforced and decking and railings built. The addition of benches, picnic tables, a portable washroom, fencing and signage have made the trail a comfortable and safe area for walking, hiking, cycling or nature study.