Who doesn’t love the breathtaking sights of Ontario during hiking season…Canadian natural beauty at it’s finest! We have some awesome local trails in the region..here are our top 5! Which trails do you love to visit with your pooch when the weather’s fine? Let us know!
- The Iron Horse Trail
The Iron Horse Trail, right in the heart of KW! This trail provides a scenic and historic route linking the cities of Waterloo and Kitchener along a former railway corridor.
Part of the Trans Canada Trail, the Iron Horse Trail is 5½ kilometres, connecting Waterloo Park to Victoria Park and uptown Waterloo to downtown Kitchener.
The trail became a reality when Waterloo and Kitchener formed a partnership to jointly purchase the abandoned rail line to preserve the corridor as an important part of the two cities’ heritage and for use as a recreation and transportation trail.
Location
The Iron Horse Trail runs between Erb Street West in Waterloo and Ottawa Street in Kitchener.
- GeoTime Trail
The GeoTime Trail traces the City of Waterloo’s geological past through interpretive signs along the route.
Each metre of this 4½-kilometre (2.8-mile) trail marks one-million years of geological history. Every millimetre represents 1,000 years.
The trail teaches us where geological periods start and end, when different biological organisms appeared on Earth and when major catastrophic events took place. It also features a sundial where you can learn how to tell the time.
This trail opened in 2007, coinciding with our 150th anniversary, the University of Waterloo’s 50th anniversary and the 150th kilometre of trail in this city. It was the first of its kind in Canada, and was outlined in the Canadian contributions to the UNESCO-sponsored international Year of Planet Earth in 2008.
Location
The GeoTime Trail begins at Columbia Street West, west of Erbsville Road.
- Walter Bean Trail
The Walter Bean Trail is popular for walking, cycling, rollerblading and cross-country skiing. This is a great trail for a lazy afternoon of exploring and admiring all the natural beauty that Grand River has to offer! The Walter Bean Trail is the largest trail in the region, spanning over 76km in total! Safe to say, there is so much to see, it won’t be difficult to spend the day.
Location
19 access points, including Kiwanis park and RIM park. This extensive and beautiful trail runs close to the Grand River, through the cities of Waterloo, Cambridge, Kitchener and the Township of Woolwich.
- Huron Natural Area
Huron Natural Area (HNA) is an awe-inspiring destination for nature lovers, families, trail walkers, photographers – and those looking to experience nature in the city. Our city’s largest and most valuable natural area, this 107-hectare site includes:
- Strasburg Creek, one of our only coldwater streams
- Provincially significant wetlands, forest, meadows and significant species
- Scenic hiking trails, boardwalks and lookout areas
So much to see on this diverse trail, whether you want to head into the woodsy pathways, or stick to the paved meadow trails, there is something for everyone at the HNA.
Location
801 Trillium Dr. in south Kitchener
- Laurel Trail
The Laurel Trail offers more than 8 km of diverse trail along the Laurel Creek. Perfect for biking, walking, jogging, skipping…hey, you name it!
Great for all ages and fitness levels, as it runs through uptown Waterloo, as well as Waterloo Park, and through the University and to the beautiful Columbia Lake. Along the way there are many unique views, and insight into the region’s rich history and preservation of the past.
Location
The Laurel Trail has easy access points, as it is clearly marked and runs through uptown Waterloo (Bridgeport/Erb is one of many access points) and the Waterloo park.
