ROAMING THE REGION: WATERLOO REGION’S MULTI-USE TRAILS

Recently, I was chatting with a friend about the joy of living in a walkable city. Both of us have lived elsewhere in Ontario and around the world, which led us to compare notes and express delight over Waterloo Region’s trail network.  

Yes, there is still much to be desired with regards to public transit and access to walkable amenities in all neighbourhoods. In the context of this travel column, “walkable” is used in an exploratory sense. 

As the sun stretches days longer minute by minute through winter’s final act, local trails beckon us to emerge from hibernation at a slow, safe and steady pace. 

With nearly 400 kilometres of urban and rural trails criss-crossing the tri-cities and surrounding townships, we are spoiled for choice in Waterloo Region. Local trail networks are perfect for leisurely walkers, joggers, hikers, cyclists, mountain bikers and cross-country skiers. The ideas listed below are a fraction of the opportunities waiting to be discovered.  

Wellesley Township  

Newly opened in late 2019, the 923-metre Erbhaven Trail in Wellesley Township welcomes mountain bikers to race across eight acres of woodland. In September, work up an appetite and treat yourself to local flavours at the Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival. Who doesn’t love a bike and a bite? 
 
North Dumfries Township 

The Cambridge to Paris Trail in North Dumfries Township is popular with cyclists of all skill levels. A leisurely 18-kilometre trail of fine gravel paves the way for an incredibly fun day trip when you add in pit stops for food and drink. This is a definite Waterloo Region Bucket List travel item once the snow disappears. This trail also connects to the SC Johnson Trail (Paris to Brantford), the City of Cambridge Trails which link up with KW’s Walter Bean Trail and parts of the Grand Valley Trail. 
 
Wilmot Township 

Cross-country skiers, snowshoers and winter walkers alike, pack your gear and head to the Petersburg Crown Lands. With more than four kilometres of dog-friendly multi-use trails, this popular spot is great for a breath of fresh air. Parts of the trail back onto private property and dogs may be off leash. Courtesy and collective care for the land help to maintain its appeal. 

Woolwich Township 

Woolwich is the shining star of township trails. With 10 public multi-use trails and over 100 kilometres to explore, including by snowmobile, it toes the fine line between being a local secret and the hottest spot around. Most famously, Woolwich lays claim to the Kissing Bridge Trailway. While Ontario’s last in-use wooden covered bridge is under repair until the end of 2026, it is a sight to see from the road and the trail is still accessible. To start your outdoor adventure planning, download the Woolwich Trails Map Book. 

Cambridge 

Cambridge boasts over 50 kilometres of trails, some of which include waterfront views. Running beside the Speed and Grand Rivers, you just may forget that Waterloo Region is landlocked. One such trail is the 10.5 kilometre Grand Trunk Trail. The former railway path follows the Grand River at the south end of Cambridge, revealing mysterious abandoned buildings along the way.  

Waterloo 

Travel back in time while visiting the Silicon Valley of the North. The GeoTime Trail loop in Waterloo is a workout for the brain and body. With plaques detailing historical geological facts, a sun dial, and possible coyote sightings, this trail will keep you on your toes. Walk in a counterclockwise direction from the “oldest point” on the trail to modern times. Excellent for curious students of any age or those who enjoy multitasking.  
Kitchener 

The Walter Bean Trail connects Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge with more than 25 kilometres of well-maintained gravel pathways. In warmer weather, find turtles, canoe and kayak launches, and historic spots like the Waterloo Pioneer Memorial Tower which overlooks the Grand River. From the Doon Valley Golf Course to Kiwanis Park, the multi-use trail introduces walkers, cyclists and snowshoers alike to a variety of landscapes and places throughout Waterloo Region. 

Please Remember… 

As with anywhere you visit, please remember to pick up after yourself and leave these outdoor spaces in better condition than they were found. Some trails have washrooms and garbage bins, while others do not. A few helpful websites with trail details include the city and township websites, All Trails or GrandTrails.ca. 

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MINI-DOSES OF AWE AND WONDER

A staycation is a vacation you can take in your home country, rather than abroad. For the sake of this piece and my wallet, I’ll be focusing on staying in your own city or, better yet, your own home.   

These mini vacations are useful because they’re easier on the budget but also help you learn about your own community.  

As you explore your city, you can create more relationships that flow into your everyday life and deepen your connection to the place that you live. Staycations are also much easier to plan, considering you don’t have to worry about accommodations, flights, trains, packing, etc.   

Like all vacations, a staycation requires deviation from your regularly scheduled programming. If you can, empty your schedule in advance—take a couple days off work or have a weekend where you have no other plans. I will sit down with a monthly and weekly calendar to help me visualize. I also try to set aside at least three days because I tend to be restless the first day that I deviate from my regular work, so I need some time to get into a more relaxed mindset.   

Then, consider what you need. Are you tired of monotony and want to add something interesting to your life? Or are you just tired and need some rest. Pay attention to your body and your thoughts in the days leading up to your time off.   

The answer is usually not so complicated. For example, if you find yourself bored at mealtimes, you might want to explore more food options either at home or outside. If you keep wishing that everyone would leave you alone, then you probably need some rest and alone time.   

Doing a brain dump of all the thoughts you have (especially all your complaints) can help with understanding the stressors of your life, which might change the type of staycation you choose to take.   

Now, you can decide what it is that you need in a staycation. Do you need more time with friends or time alone? Do you want to meet new people or deepen the connections you may have been neglecting? Does exploration and social time rejuvenate or exhaust you?   

Considering these questions can help you decide whether you want to spend your staycation exploring your city or exploring your home.   

If you choose the former, it is possible to explore your surroundings spontaneously. Choose a starting point—e.g. downtown Kitchener or brunch at your favourite cafe—then let the day take you where it will. I especially like doing this with friends, since I am not very adventurous.   

Another method is to make a list of all the places you either never get a chance to go back to, or that you wanted to explore, but never got a chance. This could be cute cafes (cafe-hopping!), bookstores, parks, trails or any number of places. What has caught your attention before, but you weren’t able to go back to it?  

Other people’s houses can also be on that list. So many social plans rely on us going out, but visiting a friend in their own space can be just as fun. It also means another way of learning more about them, especially if this is a new friend.   

Finally, a staycation can happen in the confines of your own home. This is my personal favourite and is the most versatile type of staycation.   

I like to start by deep cleaning my spaces, doing my laundry and dusting, maybe even rearranging some furniture. Freshening up your space also helps refresh your mind.   

Now, I know that most people are not like me. Where I would include cleaning and reorganizing as part of my vacation, but for others, it would be considered work. If you’re in the latter group, I would suggest doing all the cleaning and chores as preparation for your staycation.   

Then, the world (or your house or your room) is your oyster. Exploring your home can take many forms—you can go through all those old photos and clothes and declutter, or just bask in the nostalgia. Go shopping in different rooms to change things around, create new outfits from all your clothes, bust out the puzzle you never got to do or the art supplies you haven’t used in the two years since you bought them.   

The goal is to rest, but also to see your own space in a new light. What is your house like when you’re usually not home? For example, over quarantine, I discovered that the leaves of the tree in our backyard cast shadows on my wall during sunset and to this day, that is one of my favourite aspects of my room. It is incredibly calming to watch the shadows of those leaves swaying while I’m not doing anything in particular.   

Some other things I like finding are hiding places, places to sit that you haven’t thought of before, what space is the most relaxing, what seat is the most comfortable. Forget about everything you know about your space, and rediscover how charming a place you live in.   

If that’s too much work, just lay in bed and stare at the ceiling. That’s super fun.   

My favourite thing about staycations is that they don’t have to end. That new cafe you liked, you can revisit as often as you like. You can keep making the new dish you discovered, you can go back to the bookstore you fell in love with, you can spend 10 minutes lying there and watching the leaves swaying on the wall when you need to.   

A staycation is a reminder to take a step back, look at your life and your space from a fresh perspective, and maintain a sense of awe in the regular, the common and the everyday. 

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