Belfountain Conservation Area

Where Heritage has a Home

Connect with nature and explore the past on the Niagara Escarpment, in the valley of the West Credit River.

Overlook a beautiful waterfall from the suspension bridge. Meet an escarpment trail where freshwater springs flow down limestone cliffs. Visit historical features in the park including the “belle” fountain, terrace and Yellowstone Cave.

This park was recently restored to help protect and manage the natural and cultural heritage of the property. 

Activities

Trails

Trail Name
Length
Rating

This side trail of the Bruce Trail is named in memory of Roy and Eleanor Trimble, lifelong residents and historians of Belfountain. The trail runs along the steep slopes of the West Credit River Valley to the Forks of the Credit. This is not a loop trail. Trail surface is soil and wood decking. No rest areas on this trail.

Available Activities
Length
0.4 km
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time is 10 minutes
Width
Average: 1 m
Minimum: 0.4 m
Grade
Average: 9.3%
Maximum: 43.7%
Cross Slope
Average: 6.4%
Maximum: 22.7%
Rating
Strenuous
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time is 10 minutes

This trail takes you up the steep river valley and through Niagara Escarpment outcrops. The trail intersects with the Trimble Trail, a side trail of the Bruce Trail. This trail is not suitable for pets due to trail surface. Trail surface is soil and wood decking. No rest areas on this trail.

Available Activities
Length
0.5 km
Hiking time
Estimated hike time is 10 minutes
Width
Average: 1.3 m
Minimum: 0.5 m
Grade
Average: 8.4%
Maximum: 28.4%
Cross Slope
Average: 6.9%
Maximum: 34.2%
Rating
Difficult
Hiking time
Estimated hike time is 10 minutes

This boardwalk trail follows the shoreline of the West Credit River. The trail features two scenic lookouts, with views of the heritage gardens and ‘belle’ fountain. While stopping at the second lookout, be sure to take a photo with Lucky the Fox. This fox statue pays homage to Samuel Western Brock, a trapper who was the groundskeeper for the park when it was owned by Charles Wilson Mack in the early 1900’s. The trail is stroller friendly from the start of the trail by station 2 to the second lookout with Lucky the Fox – there are no stairs along this section of trail. This trail is not suitable for pets due to trail surface. Trail surface is wood decking. Rest areas are no more than 85 metres apart.

Available Activities
Length
0.2 km
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time is 5 minutes
Width
Average: 1.7 m
Minimum: 1.2 m
Grade
Average: 1.3%
Maximum: 9.8%
Cross Slope
Average: 0.9%
Maximum: 3%
Rating
Easy
Stroller Friendly
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time is 5 minutes

The stone steps along this trail lead to the historic site of a cottage built by Charles Wilson Mack for guests visiting the park in the early 1900’s. The cottage, which is no longer there, was named Bide-a-wee. Trail surface is soil. No rest areas on the trail.

Available Activities
Length
0.1 km
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time is 5 minutes
Width
Average: 1.2 m
Minimum: 0.6 m
Grade
Average: 5.8%
Maximum: 10.7%
Cross Slope
Average: 4.8%
Maximum: 11.7%
Rating
Easy
Hiking time
Estimated hiking time is 5 minutes

These paths are accessible for all users, including wheelchairs and strollers. The paths are flat and wide, and surfaces are firm and stable. There are no stairs or obstacles along these paths. Path surfaces are crushed stone, paver stone and wood decking. Rest areas are no more than 100 m apart.

Available Activities
Length
0.3 km
Hiking time
Estimate hiking time is less than 5 minutes
Width
Average: 1.9 m
Minimum: 1 m
Grade
Average: 2.1%
Maximum: 6.5%
Cross Slope
Average: 1.9%
Maximum: 8.2%
Rating
Easy
Stroller Friendly
Hiking time
Estimate hiking time is less than 5 minutes

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