Destination Trails
Rockwood Conservation Area
Rockwood has breathtaking scenery - pine and cedar forests surrounding rock cliffs and islands along the Eramosa River. And the trails allow you to see it all. The Cedar Ridge Outlook allows you to see all of Rockwood below. The plateau at the top of the caves is actually owned by the University of Waterloo, but you can hike up there and along the numerous trails to see the remnants of an old house and quarry.
Elora Gorge Conservation Area
Elora Gorge borders the Grand River with 22-meter-high cliffs and is popular with tubers that enjoy the white-water rapids. The trail parking lot allows you to follow the south side of the gorge through beautiful forests and several outlooks (including one that goes through the rock). From there you can cross a bridge that takes you to north side of the gorge and down metal stairs to the riverbed where you can walk along rocky plateaus and in the river to enjoy the landscape. From there, you can walk along the north side of the gorge trail past the campgrounds, across the low bridge that marks the end of the tubing run, and back to the trail entrance on the south side.
Cottontail Road Trail
This trail starts opposite the entrance to the Elora Gorge Conservation Area. It’s a long linear trail between farmland that is easy to hike, but is quite beautiful as it is bordered by mature trees (including hundreds of apple trees).
Health Valley Trail
Stretching from downtown St. Jacobs to the outskirts of Waterloo, this trail isn’t something that can be easily accessed by public transit. But it’s beautiful. It winds along the Conestogo River, through an old farmer’s field (with cows!), and past the famous Wise Old Oak. You’ll even see a roped off section with Giant Hogweed.
Hilton Falls Conservation Area
If someone asked me what the most beautiful conservation area is in all of Halton region, I’d have to say Hilton Falls because there is so much to love. It has two breathtaking waterfalls and an immense number of gorgeous trails that wind through breathtaking wetlands and forests. It’s impossible to walk all of the trails in a day - or even a week - but I’ve explored and love every inch of this massive place. There is also a large communal fire pit and log pile at the top of the main falls that is kept lit by the rangers where you can roast hot dogs or marshmallows.
Britton Complex
This is a series of six tracts situated directly north and west of Hilton Falls: Britton Tract, Turner Tract, Robertson Tract, Mahon Tract, Currie Tract, and Cox Tract. Because of this, they share many of the same geological features and breathtaking scenery as Hilton Falls, but each have their own unique features. They are beautifully maintained by HAFTA and consist of wide main trails, boardwalks, and numerous side trails that are suitable for both hikers and adventurous bikers.
Crawford Lake Conservation Area
Crawford Lake is a stunning meromictic lake with aqua blue water that was recently used by scientists to mark the beginning of the Anthropocene. It’s surrounded by a beautiful boardwalk, numerous trails, and an outlook along the Niagara Escarpment. I especially recommend spending the day to hike the Nassagaweya Canyon Trail down to the valley at the bottom of the escarpment and up the other side to Rattlesnake Point (and back again).
Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area
Nestled at the top of massive rock cliffs that form part of the Niagara Escarpment, Rattlesnake Point is popular with rock climbers. The rocky trails run along the cliff edge and are loads of fun, as are the stairs that allow you to descend along the cliff wall. I especially recommend spending the day to hike the Nassagaweya Canyon Trail down to the valley at the bottom of the escarpment and up the other side to Crawford Lake (and back again).
Mount Nemo Conservation Area
Similar to Rattlesnake Point, most of the trails at Mount Nemo run along high cliffs along the Niagara Escarpment. But the scenery at Mount Nemo is even more breathtaking, especially if you descend down the cliffs to the bottom on the Escarpment Edge Trail. The cliffs are so high that you can look down to see Turkey Vultures circling below or look east to see the CN Tower in the distance. There’s also a beautiful former quarry with massive cliffs in the middle of the conservation area that you can hike down to.
Kelso Conservation Area
Kelso is one of those places that has it all - a beautiful beach, boardwalks, nature centre, professional obstacle courses, ski hills, and a massive number of gorgeous hiking trails through varied forests at the top of the Niagara Escarpment. The picture at the top of this page is of my dog Pepper and I on a rock plateau at the top of the escarpment.
Dundas Valley Conservation Area
This is a massive area with 40km of well-maintained trails that weave through Carolinian forests, glacial moraine valleys with lovely streams and waterfalls, historic ruins, and beautiful meadows.
Snyder’s Flats Conservation Area
A massive area that used to be a gravel pit, Snyder’s Flats has been beautifully restored with lakes (including one that has crystal clear water that people and dogs love to swim in) and many trails that pass through breathtaking grasslands, ponds, and beautiful forests. Some trails run along the Grand River that Snyder’s Flats borders on that allow for access to the river. You’ll also find many tasty apple trees along both sides of the main trail from the parking lot.
Starkey Hill Conservation Area
This is a 4km trail that runs through steep forested slopes and wetlands that is beautiful in every season and has many interpretive signs (via QR code). The summit is actually the highest point in Puslinch Township, and you can see the twin towers of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (a Roman Catholic church in Guelph) in the distance.
Smith Property Loop Trail
This trail runs through beautiful cedar forests along the Eramosa River and then winds up to a magnificent pine plantation forest (the largest I’ve seen in Ontario), before winding down back to the entrance.
Puslinch Tract Conservation Area
Puslinch Tract is one of my favourite trails of all time because of its breathtaking charm. There are 18km of trails that traverse every possible type of terrain, field, and forest you could imagine. There are two beautiful lakes on the west side, and numerous ponds and wetlands on the east side. I must have taken my dog here over a thousand times, exploring every inch of the place. I even bought a Lowrance Endura GPS a decade ago just to keep track of the trails we visited before Alltrails picked up traction in Canada.
Vance Tract
This is a great short hike that consists of two loops. The north loop goes through pine plantation forest, and the south loop goes along both cedar and mixed pine forests. There is a narrow path through the wetlands that connect both loops, but it’s often flooded by water at two spots during the spring and summer, so be prepared to jump along tree branches to cross.
Fletcher Creek Ecological Preserve
This is a beautiful and rewarding hike along cedar and mixed forests that ends at an old, rehabilitated quarry with beautiful ponds and wetlands. There’s a boardwalk that traverses the pond, as well as ruins from old quarry structures.
F.W.R Dickson Wilderness Area
This trail has a beautiful boardwalk along wetlands and swamp that is rife with birds. It also winds along hardwood forests around a small lake, as well as through tall-grass prairie and willow-dogwood thickets.
Dryden Tract
This tract has the largest and nicest set of trails in the area directly southwest of Cambridge. It consists of massive glacial moraine hills lined with trees that are breathtaking in every season. There’s a lot of elevation changes and scenery to take in, as well as a prairie summit where you can look across the landscape southwest of the tract. The place is so big, it’s easy to get lost (we did on our first trip), but there are far worse places to get lost in :-)
Drynan Tract
Like the nearby Dryden Tract, Drynan Tract is mostly glacial moraine forest. But Drynan also has low-lying marshes, ponds, and lakes that are beautiful with their abundant wildlife (including the rare Blanding’s turtle).
Sudden Tract
While Sudden Tract is near both the Dryden and Drynan Tracts and comprised of mostly glacial moraine forest, it has a very different feel. There are numerous high narrow ridges and low valleys that have the largest ferns I’ve seen in Ontario. The trails are amazing, and there are several boardwalks that allow you to enjoy the breathtaking low-lying areas, including numerous swamps, vernal pools, and a large wetland.
Little Tract
This is one of my favourite local trails in every season. It has several 5km loops that stretch between two parking lots and run up and down hills of Carolinian and pine forests, as well as around beautiful swamp areas. I’ve come here countless times with my dog to unwind and relax, and each time it was amazing.
Chesney Wilderness Area Trail
Chesney is a beautiful trail for walking at any time of the year, even though it looks like the GRCA has stopped maintaining it for many years. You’ll find gnarly 200-year-old maple trees lining the main path at the beginning of the trail that look gorgeous in the summer and downright creepy in the fall near dusk. When the bog is frozen in the winter, or when it is mostly dry in the summer, you can find and walk on the remains of the boardwalk that comprised the beautiful Hemlock Trail (named for the abundance of Eastern Hemlock trees).
Cambridge-to-Paris Rail Trail
This trail is part of an abandoned rail line the runs along the Grand River from Cambridge to Paris. There’s beautiful forests and scenery throughout, but it’s very long. As a result, you’ll want to do it in sections starting from either the parking lot in Paris, Cambridge, or Glen Morris (the halfway point).
Mono Cliffs Provincial Park
This park has many trails that go along the top of two different sections of the Niagara Escarpment, as well as along the valleys between them. You’ll find stunning scenery, varied forests, lakes and ponds with crystal-clear water, as well as stunning lookout. But be prepared for some extreme changes in elevation (it’s a great workout!).
Baden Hills Regional Forest
While this isn’t a large area, there are several trails that traverses a very high and beautiful forested hill. The trails along the west and east slopes are very steep and slippery, so you’ll need to bring a walking stick and grab onto trees as you navigate them. But it’s a rewarding hike with plenty of opportunity for cardio.
The Hydrocut (Petersburg Regional Forest)
This is a series of pro cycling trails that wind through picturesque forest areas. Many of the trails are shared use (i.e., cyclers and hikers), so you can enjoy the scenery more than the cyclers.
Petersburg Crown Lands
This 4km trail stretches along the south side of Hwy7/8 west of Kitchener. It consists of a beautiful trail loop that goes through varied forests with giant pines and maples, and an extension that ends at Alder Creek. It’s one of those hikes that is perfect for relaxing and unwinding.
Sandy Hills Pinery Trail
This area actually consists of two sets of trails that reside on the south and north sides of Sandy Hills Drive. Both sides have numerous trailways that snake through gorgeous pine forest that looks and smells amazing any time of the year.
Benham Tract
This trail is a hidden gem. You’ll find stunning forest views with plenty of steep hills and massive trees. While not a huge tract, it has plenty of trails that wind through it, and you’ll want to explore all of them. Excellent cardio!
Limehouse Conservation Area
In addition to the ruins of a huge lime kiln and ancient powderhouse, Limehouse has several beautiful trails. One part has you navigate down two ladders into the rocky crevices of the Niagara Escarpment, while another runs along the gorgeous Black Creek. And everything is beautifully maintained.
Hockley Valley Provincial Park
This park has some of the most beautiful hiking trails in all of Ontario, but it’s not for the faint of heart. Massive, forested hills and valleys make for some of the best cardio you’ll get on a hike. There are plenty of bridges that cross streams that weave throughout the low-lying areas of the trail, as well as dozens of breathtaking views.
Boyne Valley Provincial Park
This park has some incredible trails. You’ll climb up and down beautiful, forested hills and valleys along the Boyne River basin, traverse stunning rolling grass meadows, and climb a kame (Murphy’s Pinnacle) with a spectacular view. A full hike is about 16km on both the east and west side of the park, but it’s well worth it.