Length: 6.5 Km loop, with option for 5 Km loop or 6 Km out and back.
Difficulty: Level 2.  Submitted by Ron Cherry

Google Map of Trailhead
Printable Trail Map
GPX File - download and open in the GPS Tracking App on your phone.

Notes
- GVTA Map 10.
- Scenic lookout over Grand River at Wilson Avenue.
- Parts of trail could be wet and muddy, but may be icy in shaded sections in winter.
- The section of trail along the river, in front of the waste-water treatment facility is on a flood-plain which floods in spring. Use caution.  If flooded, complete the hike as an out-and-back avoiding that section of trail.

Description
Starting from the Marguerite Ormston Trailway parking lot, walk northwest to cross the pedestrian bridge over Schneider Creek. 

With Homer Watson Blvd. on your left you will very soon come to a junction where the Grand Valley Trail (GVT), turns right and away from the multi-use trail.  Follow the white blazes of the GVT through Doon Tract.

You will soon reach a part of the trail that runs parallel to the Doon Cemetery.  Follow this trail to Mill Park Drive.  Cross Mill Park Drive with caution.  The GVT continues on the other side.  Continue to follow the white blazes through Homer Watson Park. 

On the attached map, the marker labelled "Note 1" marks a point where the GVT turns east to make a small loop with the community trail.  The community trail doesn't turn here. Choose either the community trail or the GVT here and you will be correct.   

Continue to follow the white blazes and a couple hundred metres later you will reach a point where you can look out over the Grand River.  At this point the GVT turns northwest while the community trail, aka The Great Trail turns southeast.

If the river hasn't flooded and you want to complete the 5 Km loop, turn right, southeast.  Otherwise turn left, northwest and continue to follow the white blazes to the parking lot at the intersection of Mill Park Dr. and Huron Rd. and then on to where Wilson Ave. dead ends, another parking lot.  Note that from the parking lot at the intersection of Mill Park Dr. and Huron Rd., to the parking lot where Wilson Ave. dead-ends, running along side the GVT, there is an easier paved trail, which you may choose instead.

From the parking lot at Wilson Ave., follow the trail back the way you came.  To hike the full 6.5 Km loop, at the intersection of the GVT and The Great Trail, turn left, southeast to follow The Great Trail along the Grand River, in front of the waste-water treatment facility, (if not flooded). 

If you are able to walk The Great Trail, after passing in front of the waste-water treatment plant, you will soon come to the ruins of a heritage mill, just before reaching Old Mill Road.  At Old Mill Road, turn left to cross the traffic and pedestrian bridge over Schneider Creek.  There will be a park and playground on your right. 

If there is no construction in the playground along Old Mill Rd., then turn right, south to follow the trail through the playground and through Willowlake Park, back to Marguerite Ormston Trailway. 

If there is construction in the playground, continue walking east along Old Mill Rd. until you reach Pinnacle Drive, (see orange marked trail on attached map).  Turn right, south on Pinnacle Drive.  Follow it until you reach a community trail sign on your right.  Follow this community trail back to Marguerite Ormston Trailway.