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
HOMER WATSON TRAIL
The trail winding through Homer Watson Park passed the Grand River, a cemetery, and meets up with Schneider Creek before continuing. Very tall pine trees, and great views of the Grand River and south Kitchener with two main look-outs. Link to trail...HOPEWELL TRAIL
The Hopewell Trail on the east side of Breslau follows the outer boundary of the Hopewell subdivision and the forested valley of Hopewell Creek. There are walkways with access to the trail on Horseshoe Cr., Townsend Dr., and Maplecrest Dr. This trail is a...HURON NATURAL TRAILS
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, located at...KISSING BRIDGE TRAILWAY
The Kissing Bridge Trailway travels for 45 km through rural communities and rivers and wetlands of southern Ontario along the right-of-way of a former railway. You can take a 2km detour to see the West Montrose Kissing Bridge, which is the last covered bridge in...LAKE ERIE & NORFOLK TRAIL
This trail follows the path of the former LE & N Electric Rail Car Route that travelled from Galt, through Brantford and Mt. Pleasant to Port Dover. The stone dust trail travels through the City of Brantford ending at Rotary Park where it joins Veterans Memorial...LAUREL CREEK
Once surrounded by farmland, Laurel Creek Conservation Area is now a 294 hectare oasis in northwest Waterloo. The park and reservoir offer something for everyone, with close to 130 campsites, several picnic areas, sports fields and picnic pavilions for large groups....LAUREL TRAIL (TRANS CANADA TRAIL)
Follows the Laurel Creek • Many places to rest and find food and drink along the route • Public washrooms in Waterloo Park • Take a stroll around Silver Lake on the History Walk The Laurel Trail follows Laurel Creek through Uptown Waterloo where you’ll find shopping,...
LIONS LAKE TRAIL (WOOLWICH RESERVOIR)
This trail was established in 1980 by the Elmira Lions Club, the GRCA, the village of Floradale and local landowners. It is maintained by the Elmira Lions Club. The Lions Lake Trail is an easy, well-maintained single track earthen trail encircling the Woolwich...Lions Ring Trail
Lions Ring Trail The Lions Ring Trail was developed through a partnership between the Elmira Lions Club and the Township of Woolwich. Construction of the trail began in 2004 with funding received from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The purpose of the trail is to...