Waterloo Region Nature Trails
Welcome to Waterloo Region!
Waterloo Region is a mid-sized community located in the heart of southwestern Ontario's greenbelt. We have all the amenities of a large urban centre while still maintaining the charm and character of a smaller rural community.
Each of our three cities offers its own unique attractions.
Cambridge has a rich cultural history reflected in the picturesque limestone buildings lining the Grand and Speed Rivers. It offers live theatre, museums and Canada's longest continually operating farmers' market. Explore more than 365 hectares of parkland or venture along the Grand by canoe or on the Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail.
Kitchener, the Region's largest city, is a hub of urban activity. With a history of industry and working together, entrepreneurship is in its very roots. Small businesses and start-ups make up a large portion of the workforce helping to drive the culture of innovation. Immerse yourself in the many large outdoor festivals and special events downtown throughout the year, learn to ski at Chicopee, or take in a show or sporting event at one of several major venues.
Waterloo is home to two of the highest-ranked universities in the country and attracts some of the best and brightest talent from around the world. Think tanks like the Perimeter Institute of Theoretical Physics, Centre for International Governance Innovation and the Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum Nano Centre are helping to translate great ideas into some of the most successful and innovative businesses in the country. Uptown Waterloo is a thriving urban centre with award-winning architecture, unique shops and fantastic restaurants.
Our peaceful rural landscape, comprising the townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich, is dotted with many distinct towns and historic communities as well as farms offering homemade sausages, maple syrup, apple butter, cheese and Mennonite furniture and quilts.
With a population of more than 530,000 people, Waterloo Region is one of the fastest growing areas in Ontario. But it remains a community of communities, connected by high-quality transit, cycling and walking trails and the scenic Grand River.
You will find some of the best hiking and nature trails in Ontario right here in Waterloo Region.
For more information please visit: https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/index.aspx#section1
DUMFRIES CONSERVATION AREA
Dumfries is a 75-hectare conservation area that provides places for outdoor recreation and nature appreciation in the centre of Cambridge. It is located at Dunbar and Hespeler Roads, Cambridge. The area has plantation forests, mature forests, wetlands and trails...F. W. R. DICKSON WILDERNESS AREA
The FWR Dickson Wilderness Area is a large natural area that includes two small lakes, wetlands, tall-grass prairie, forests and willow-dogwood thickets. It provides habitat for a variety of birds. It is on Brant-Waterloo Road, west of Spragues Road (Waterloo Regional...FORWELL TRAIL
• Simply spectacular, adjacent to Forwell Creek • Enjoy the sounds of the water! • Mostly well shaded • Links to Hillside Trail at Lexington Rd. We would also direct you to read our DISCLAIMER and our TRAIL USERS CODE. Region(s): Waterloo Region Nearby towns and...GEO TIME 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...Gibney Regional Forest
Gibney Regional Forest The Baden Hills ESPA consists of a series of four prominent sandy hills which are some of the largest kames in Southern Ontario. Due to their height, the hills are quite scenic and impressive. They afford extensive views from their summits,...GRAND TRUNK TRAIL
On this trail, you can look for the Galt Fossil within the limestone at the Davidson Quarry Ramp way. You can also enjoy the picnic and boat launch facilities at Riverbluffs Park, home of the Cambridge Rowing Club and the annual “Riverfeet” celebration....GRAND VALLEY TRAIL
The main Grand Valley Trail is a marked footpath stretching about 275 km between Port Maitland (42.866035,-79.565699) [near Rock Point Provincial Park] on Lake Erie, south of Dunnville to the town of Alton (43.860379,-80.068796), near Orangeville. A hiker can identify...
HEALTH VALLEY TRAIL
This is the old Conestogo River Trail between St. Jacobs and Conestogo. It dates to the earliest days of both villages. The HVT was a Conestogo/Winterbourne Optimist club project in 1992. It is maintained by the Township of Woolwich, members of the Woolwich Trails...Hilborn Knoll Regional Forest
Hilborn Knoll Regional Forest There is a small loop trail that runs along the outer edge of the Hilborn Regional Forest. There is no formal parking area, visitors must simply park at the edge of Burnett Avenue. Hilborn Knoll is a gently rolling forested area...