CHARDIN TRAIL: Known as the Daffodil Path, it serves as a celebratory walk for other cancer survivors and their families. This trail features a former gravel pit that is slowly being rehabilitated as native plants take hold in the arid landscape. To assist in this process, and to create a buffer from the sound and sight of Highway 6, trees have been planted in the gravel pit and adjacent fields that were formerly used for cattle grazing.
GREAT AUK TRAIL: The predominant features of this trail are the wetlands of the provincially significant Marden South Wetland Complex. The trail was named in honour of the Great Auk, a flightless bird that became extinct in the mid-19th century. Great Auks walked slowly and sometimes used their wings to help them traverse rough terrain — appropriate qualities for trail hiking. Another interesting feature of the Great Auk Trail is the stone labyrinth. Built in 2011 with stones from the Centre’s fields, it is a smaller model of the grass labyrinth located near Loyola House.
THE CATHERINE DONNELLY WALK: The Catherine Donnelly Walk leads to the entrances of the “Stations of the Cross” and “Stations of the Cosmos” located adjacent the community gardens.
MARTIN ROYACKERS,SJ TRAIL:
The Martin Royackers Trail runs along the western edge of Marden Creek with sections overlooking some of the farmland Fr. Martin once worked.
THE BACK FOURTY TRAIL:
Fondly nicknamed the “back 40,” these 40 acres of woodland and field are home to deer, wild turkeys, songbirds and honeybees. The back 40 is the site of a remnant sugar maple grove, once used by the Jesuits for the production of maple syrup.
THE NORTH STAR TRAIL:
Named after the North Star, sometimes referred to as Polaris, the North Star Trail runs along the northern property boundary and passes one of the Centre’s hermitages, the Old Orchard Hermitage.
THE RIVER CARDONA TRAIL:
The River Cardona Trail traverses over farmland, past the Centre’s New Creation Hermitage and continues through a cedar and silver maple swamp before connecting with the North Star Trail.
Link to trail map and brochure:
https://ignatiusguelph.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IJC-Trails-02-2021-Web.pdf
We would also direct you to read our DISCLAIMER and our TRAIL USERS CODE.
Region(s): Wellington CountyNearby towns and cities: Guelph
IGNATIUS JESUIT CENTRE TRAILS characteristics
Length: 15 km of trails including Old Growth Forest Trails across Highway 6Difficulty: Moderate (Trail classifications)
Trail surface: Natural
Trail use: Hiking, Cross-country skiing, and Snowshoeing
Accessibility Notes: Accessibility not known
Fees: None Reported
Flora & Fauna:
Not yet reported
Amenities: Pit toilets
Contact:
reception@ignatiusguelph.ca
Ignatius Jesuit Centre 5420 Highway 6 N, Guelph, ON Tel: 519.824.1250
Find it: 5420 Highway 6 N, Guelph, ON
GPS Coordinates (main trailhead):
Latitude: 43.5710590
Longitude: -80.2805530