Headwaters Bike Adventure

38 KM — 2.5 HR BIKE RIDE

START: Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area

Ride from Luther Marsh to the little town of Grand Valley on mainly quiet paved/unpaved country roads and an off-road multi-use trail. Luther Marsh is a birder’s paradise, especially during bird migration in the spring and fall. There are hiking and bike trails and an observation tower. Stop for lunch in the little town of Grand Valley. If you have time, bike the Upper Grand Trailway and West Luther Trail to Arthur and back (additional 30 km return journey).

Note that hunting is permitted in Luther Marsh on certain days (generally Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Hunting is never permitted on Sundays) between September 1 and February 28. To find out which days you can safely visit during hunting season, visit the GRCA Website.

Click on the map to go to an interactive map of the route

Park your vehicle in the parking lot at Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area (1) (day use fee applies). It is also possible to start and end the tour in Grand Valley (2).

After exploring Luther Marsh, exit at the main entrance and turn R. Ride along Sideroad 21&22 (gravel road) for 2 km, which turns L at Concession Road 6&7 (gravel road). After 1.8 km turn R at the first road, Sideroad 24&25 (gravel road). Continue for 6.9 km to the Upper Grand Trailway. Turn L onto the trailway (off-road multi-use rail trail). (If you have time for a diversion, you can turn R onto the Upper Grand Trailway, and continue onto the West Luther Trail for 15 km to the village of Arthur (3). Enjoy a snack or lunch before returning to the Upper Grand Trailway.)

Where the Upper Grand Trailway crosses Water St/Hwy 25 (3.8 km), turn L onto Water St (paved busy road) and ride beside the Grand River for about 1 km into the centre of the picturesque town of Grand Valley. Make a stop where Water St becomes Main St, and admire the murals under the Main St bridge over the Grand River. If you have time, park your bike and take the Historical Walking Tour of Grand Valley and learn about the history of the buildings in the centre of town, several of which now house restaurants. After exploring Grand Valley, return to the Upper Grand Trailway and ride 2.8 km to the end of the trailway at Mill St/10th Line.

Murals on Main St Bridge over Grand River, Grand Valley

Turn L onto 10th Line (paved road) which runs beside the Grand River for 1 km, before crossing the river. Proceed for another 7 km (paved road becomes gravel after crossing Hwy 10) to Side Road 15 (gravel road). Turn L onto Side Road 15. After 1.3 km turn R at the T-junction onto Amaranth East Luther Townline (gravel road). Turn L in 1.7 km at the next intersection onto Concession Rd 8 (paved road). After 3 km turn L onto Side Road 27&28 (paved road) which thereafter crosses the Grand River again. Turn R immediately onto Concession Rd 8&9 (paved road), which returns to Luther Marsh (3.6 km). Turn L on Sideroad 21&22 (gravel road). The entrance to Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area is on the R in 700 m.

Sunset, Luther Marsh (photo by Dustin Garrick)