The Mill Race Trail is a .8 km linear trail, built along the former headrace of the St. Jacobs mill. It is fairly straight with a hard gravel surface, suitable for walking and cycling. Winter uses of the trail include cross-country skiing, and potentially skating on the mill race. The trail is also wheelchair accessible. It has benches or resting spots along its length. At the trailhead of the trail a low level buggy bridge crosses over the Conestogo River at Three Bridges Road, downstream from a dam. The trail ends at an overhead railroad bridge.  

 As one travels the trail, the trail has a mill race on the right, no longer in use, and the Conestogo River on the left. Cropland fills most of the space on the right thereafter. The habitat contains a variety of trees, shrubs and vegetation common to bottomlands. These include cedar, basswood, ash, jack-in-the-pulpit, honeysuckle, and wild cucumber.

Birds that can be seen readily along this trail in most seasons are cardinal, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, robin and red-breasted and white-breasted nuthatch. Birding hikers can also expect to see, according to the season, a variety of warblers such as Yellow–rumped, Black-throated Green and Yellow, Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, Eastern Towhee, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, a variety of ducks and geese, and Great Blue Heron.

At the beginning of the trail there is a small marshy area beside the river where wetland birds such as Swamp Sparrow and Green Heron can be found. One should also pay attention to the skies overhead where raptors such as Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, and possibly a Northern Harrier may be seen. An unofficial bird list has been posted on one of the trailside posts.

Access the trail thusly: From King St in the south end of St. Jacobs turn west on Henry St. Then turn right on Three Bridges Rd and continue to the low level buggy bridge. Parking is available there.

Link to trail map:  https://www.woolwich.ca/en/township-services/resources/Maps/Trails/Mill-Race.pdf

Information about obtaining the Guidebook is found at: http://www.healthywoolwich.org/

FURTHER TRAIL CONTACTS:

Trail Co-Owner and Co-Manager: Grand River Conservation Authority
Trail Manager: Township of Woolwich
Local Trail Club: Woolwich Trails Group

We would also direct you to read our DISCLAIMER and our TRAIL USERS CODE.

Region(s): Waterloo Region
Nearby towns and cities: Elmira | St. Jacobs
Trail feature tags: Interpretive signage | nature trail

MILL RACE TRAIL characteristics

Length: .8 km linear trail
Difficulty: Moderate (Trail classifications)
Trail surface: Gravel
Trail use: Hiking, Cross-country skiing, and Cycling
Accessibility Notes: Wheelchair accessible
Fees: None

Flora & Fauna:

Not yet reported

Amenities: Interpretive Signage

Attractions: None reported

Contact:
Trail Co-Owner and Co-Manager: Grand River Conservation Authority Trail Manager: Township of Woolwich Local Trail Club: Woolwich Trails Group

Find it: 1505 Three Bridges Rd St. Jacobs



GPS Coordinates (main trailhead):
Latitude: 43.5408330
Longitude: -80.5550000