Speed River - Niska Road Trail
This picture was taken here.
Speed River - Niska Road Trail
There's a trail along the west side of the Speed River in Guelph from Niska Road over to Fife Road. Parking along Niska Road.
Popular with dog walkers year round - also cyclists during the nicer months.
Can be wet in parts during the spring since it is a flood plain.
Through an evergreen forest for the most part.
Guelph Lake
There's a nice trail along the south side of the Speed River which goes out to the Guelph Lake dam and beyond. This is popular with hikers and cyclists.
The Guelph Off Road Bicycling Association uses this area extensively.
If you follow the trail south of Victoria (on the south shore) it is called the Speed River Trail. On the north shore is a trail on property belonging to the Ignatius Centre.
People generally park on the north side of Victoria south of the river.
Guelph Radial Trail
The Guelph Radial Trail runs for 28km from Guelph to Limehouse along the bed of a former electric railway.
Popular sections can be accessed just east off Watson Road just north of the Eramosa River and runs parallel to the river up to a dam then crosses over to south.
There is also a side loop trail which goes up to the top of the valley ridge - nice views from here.
Mostly hikers although bicycles are permitted.
Starkey Hill Trail
Take some birdseed with you on your hike out to Starkey Hill and chances are good you can coax a black capped chickadee or two to land on your hand - especially during the winter months.
This picture was taken here.
Starkey Hill Trail
A 4 km walking trail through healthy forests of hardwoods and conifers. Some hills, some wetlands - the land is owned by the Grand River Conservation Authority to protect Guelph's water supply, the nearby Arkell Springs aquifer.
From the peak of the highest hill in Puslinch here you can see Church of Our Lady in the distance.
A popular spot on weekends - great for kids. Well maintained and now, bonus, a parking lot.
More info here.
Kissing Bridge Trailway
A 45km multiuse trail running from Guelph to Millbank along an abandoned rail line.
The start of this stone dust trail in Guelph is where Edinburgh Road North ends at Woodlawn Road.
Guelph - Arboretum
There are several walking trails at The Arboretum, part of the University of Guelph. Directions on how to get there are here.
You can also download a PDF print version of the map of the Arboretum which outlines the various trails.
Trails at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre of Guelph
There are several walking only trails through the farm and lands at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre of Guelph just north of the city (behind the infamous Wal-Mart).
You can download a map suitable for printing.
Guelph - Preservation Park - Hanlon Creek Trail - Royal Recreational Trail
Preservation Park, south of Kortright, is a 27 hectare bike free area of looping trails through forest and wetlands.
This picture was taken here.
Guelph - Hanlon Creek Trail - Royal Recreational Trail
This trail runs south between Stone Road and Kortright and then continues into Preservation Park. The trail entrance at Stone Road is a little hard to find since it's in an area of strip malls and highly developed - look for the trail entry sign by the gas station (if it's still there).
Once past the stores along Stone Road it follows the creek behind residences and through neighbourhood parks - urban - some parts are paved.
Once into Preservation Park it's quite natural.
A PDF document of this map suitable for printing is available here as are other trail maps published by the City of Guelph on their maps page.
Speed River Trail - Royal Recreational Trail
Good trail for cross country skiing as well as hiking during the winter.
This picture was taken here.
Guelph - Speed River Trail - Royal Recreational Trail
This trail follows alongside the Speed River from Speedvale Ave to Victoria Road. Riverside Park encompasses the trail between Speedvale and Woodlawn - you can travel on either side of the river. North of Woodlawn the trail runs along the southeast side of the river - this is a more natural forested area, a favourite for walkers as well as cyclists.
A PDF document of this map suitable for printing is available here as are other trail maps published by the City of Guelph on their maps page.
Guelph - Silvercreek Trail - Royal Recreational Trail
Centennial Park is a good place for some sledding.
This picture was taken here.
Guelph - Silvercreek Trail - Royal Recreational Trail
This trail starts near the covered bridge at Gordon Street and follows the south side of the Speed River down to near the Hanlon Expressway then heads south through more or less residential areas until it meets with the Hanlon Creek trail across from the Stone Road Mall.
A PDF document of this map suitable for printing is available here as are other trail maps published by the City of Guelph on their maps page.
Guelph - Eramosa River Trail - Royal Recreational Trail
This picture was taken here - near Lyon's Park.
Guelph - Eramosa River Trail - Royal Recreational Trail
This trail starts at the covered bridge where the Speed and Eramosa rivers meet and runs along the north side of the Eramosa River as a stone dust trail good for walking, cycling and wheelchairs. When the trail reaches Victoria road you must cross the bridge to the south side where a natural path continues along until Stone Road. Total length is about 4 km.
A PDF document of this map suitable for printing is available here as are other trail maps published by the City of Guelph on their maps page.
Guelph - Downtown Trail - Royal Recreational Trail
Skating on the Speed River opposite the River Run Centre.
This picture was taken here.
Guelph - Downtown Trail - Royal Recreational Trail
This trail runs along the Speed River between Speedvale Ave and Gordon Street (near the covered bridge) for about 3.6 km total. Parts of the trail are finished, but other sections, e.g north of Markle Park require you to walk or cycle alongside the rail line (which is active but seldom used) - a bit rough but certainly doable.
A PDF document of this trail map suitable for printing is available here as are other trail maps published by the City of Guelph on their maps page.
Guelph - CNR Spurline Trail - Royal Recreational Trail
The CNR Spurline Trail is an urban trail running, as it does, behind houses, beside schools and businesses - despite that it's a more natural and pleasant environment to traverse than the surrounding roads. The trail itself is earth, not concrete, so is popular with joggers as well.
This photo was taken here.
Guelph - CNR Spurline Trail - Royal Recreational Trail
This 1.6 km trail runs along an abandoned rail line (tracks removed) between the corner of London and Edinburgh Road, through Exhibition Park, over to Dufferin Street - you can continue past that over to the the Downtown Trail which runs along the Speed River.
Walking and cycling are permitted - and it is wheelchair accessible.
A PDF document of this trail map suitable for printing is available here as are other trail maps published by the City of Guelph on their maps page.
Guelph Covered Bridge - Royal Recreational Trail
In 1992 400 volunteers from the Timber Framers Guild worked near the confluence of the Eramosa and Speed Rivers building this covered bridge using an 1880's design. There is a video of the " 120' pedestrian lattice-covered bridge over the Speed River in Guelph, Ontario. Dramatic scenes of some 400 people raising by hand the two large side trusses of the bridge, assembling the roof, and then winching and pushing the completed bridge into position over the river. Scenic views of the finished structure."
This picture was taken here.
Guelph Trails Overview
Guelph, Ontario, located at the confluence of the Eramosa and Speed Rivers, is blessed with trails, many of which run alongside the rivers. Hiking trails, biking trails, some easy, some a bit of a challenge - but all enjoyable.
Let's start with an overview of the city's official trail system - the Royal Recreational Trail - which is comprised of several connecting trails located throughout the city.
A PDF document of this overview map suitable for printing is available here as are other trail maps published by the City of Guelph on their maps page.
You can also download a map of the entire city and a map of the downtown area.
