Waterford Heritage Trail has a new logo!
The Waterford Heritage Trail welcomes you to our section of the Trans Canada Trail. We’re pretty proud of our Black Bridge, a 166 metre long high level bridge with panoramic views of the Waterford Ponds. Our bridge boasts a fully decked surface, guard rails and three overlooks. You can get to our Black Bridge via trails from Delhi, Port Dover, Simcoe and Brantford – which has trails extending to Cambridge and Hamilton. However you get here, there will be lots to see from fields of tobacco, ginseng, potatoes and all the crops we grow here in Norfolk County. In adjoining woods and ponds there’s the possibility of spotting an eagle, beaver, turtle, deer, wild turkey, fox or coyote. Come spring we have wildflowers, in summer crops, in fall the colours and in winter we are so far south people could be out biking. So do come and visit us and we guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
Rail Trail Network
Norfolk County has 45km of converted rail trails. Starting at the trail access point at Lions Park on Davis Street in Simcoe, it is:
- 9.2 km north to the Waterford Black Bridge on the Waterford Heritage Trail
- 20 km north to Brant County line at Jenkins Road on the Waterford Heritage Trail
Increasing Accessibility
A number of features increase accessibility for trail users.
- The trail is paved from Thompson Road north to the Black Bridge; north of the Black Bridge to Mechanic Street; the Shadow Lake Trail spur line south west of the Black Bridge down to water level, under the Black Bridge and east into downtown Waterford.
- A staircase now enables access from the main trail down to Shadow Lake Trail around the Waterford Ponds.
- Gate openings: 1 metre minimum to allow room for wheelchairs, bike trailers, etc. to pass through.
- Average grade: 2% maximum
- Cross slope: 2% maximum
- Minimum surface width: 2.5 metres
- Bridges: access slope not exceeding 18%
Trailheads and Access Points [between Brant County and Simcoe]
- Jenkins Road
- Concessions 2 & 3 Townsend
- Norfolk County Road 19 East
- Concessions 5, 6 & 7 Townsend
- Concession 8 Townsend [Mechanic Street]
- Nichol Street
- Thompson Road
- Concessions 10, 11, 12 & 13 Townsend
Parking
Parking for the Waterford Heritage Trail is available at:
- Old Hwy 24 at Bloomsburg
- West end of Nichol Street
- Waterford Ponds Parking Lot on Mechanic Street
- Thompson Road Bridge [coming soon]
Organization: Waterford Heritage Trail
Membership
Become a member of the fastest-growing trail in Norfolk County. Annual fee – $15 individual, $20 family Contact Terry Bonnett
Email: [email protected] Phone: 519-428-0060
Waterford Rail Lands Redevelopment
A committee has been struck to transform the abandoned railway lands that abut the Waterford Ponds, into an attractive functional recreational area. The goal is to enhance the outdoor experience for the residents of Waterford and beyond. Visit our website www.waterfordpondspark.com
From Rail to Trail: The Revival of Shadow Lake
Beaver Dam
