Step out and enjoy nature!

The City of Cambridge has more than 50 km of natural and urban trails. Some of our trails follow the banks of the Speed and Grand Rivers!

Urban trails are located throughout the developed areas of the city. They are hard surfaced (pavement or concrete) and as such most are winter maintained.

Natural river area trails and woodlot trails are not winter maintained due to their location within natural environmental areas and their natural surfaces (stone screenings or gravel). These trails cannot be plowed or salted, and use of them is at your own risk. Exercise extreme caution at all times! 

Winter trail use

  • Be aware of the weather forecast before going out.
  • Wear proper footwear. 
  • Dress appropriately for the weather and be alert to the potential for storms.
  • Be alert to the potential for frostbite.
  • Carry a cell phone with you.
  • Obey all posted signage.
  • Use only during daylight hours and avoid hiking alone.
  • Never leave valuables in your car, and be sure to lock your vehicle.
  • Stay on the trail and away from all embankments, slopes, and waterways.
  • Be alert to the conditions underfoot at all times. Natural trails may be icy at times.
  • Track your time and fully understand how far you have travelled. 
  • Be aware of the remaining distance required to complete your hike or to return to where you started.
  • Please keep off any trails that have been signed as closed!

Learn more about the Cambridge trail system.

Current Closures due to Construction,  Maintenance, or Flooding

  • The lower riverbank trail from Concession St. bridge to Barradel's Loft is permanently closed due to damages from flooding.

For information on the Dumfries Conservation Area Trails please visit the Grand River Conservation Authority website. 

 

Please follow the Trail Rules and Etiquette below to ensure that all users can have a safe and enjoyable trail experience!

 On shared pathways
  • Ride, walk or jog in a predictable manner.
  • Keep to the right of the path.
  • Cyclists slow down when approaching pedestrians.
  • Cyclists use bell or voice to warn others when passing.
  • Form a single line when meeting others in a congested area.
  • Leash and pick up after dogs.
  • Respect the environment and adjacent properties.
  • Horse riding is prohibited on all trails.
 On scenic or connector routes
  • Cyclists ride with the direction of traffic, and obey all the rules of the road.
  • Cyclists are subject to the Motor Vehicle Act.
 Dogs on the trail system
  • Dogs must be on a leash at all times on trails; they are not allowed off-leash on the trail system.
  • Owners must clean up after their dog(s) at all times. Please remember to "Stoop, Scoop, and Green Bin it."
  • Save on landfill space, use your home Green Bin for Pet waste.
 Motorized vehicles
  • Motorized vehicles are not permitted on the trails.
  • Electric bicycles and scooters are not permitted on any trail. 
 Accessible vehicles
  • Accessible motorized vehicles are permitted on all trails.

Discovery Walks & Rides by CCTAC

The Cambridge Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee (CCTAC) has put together walks and rides to discover different parts of the City this summer. 

Victoria's Ride - From Hespeler to Preston and back again! (17.5km bike ride)

Stephanie's Walk Back in Time (2.75km guided walk)

Selwyn's Bike Ride Galt to Preston (23km bike ride)

Chris's Walk - Discovering Hespeler's Downtown Today! (1.3km guided walk)

More rides coming soon!

Cycling trails

Learn about cycling in Cambridge.

Trail list

View a list of our trails below. 

Blair Trail
The Blair Trail is 0.5 km long and begins at Fountain Street running along the Grand River's edge and exits into the historic village of Blair.
Bob McMullen Linear Trail

The Bob McMullen Linear Trail is a 3.2 km long stone dust trail located in the Preston area of Cambridge. The trail travels from Hamilton Street to the Preston Auditorium, along the Grand and Speed Rivers. This is also a great trail for bird watching. You may also see a variety of butterflies!

This trail passes the site of the original Mennonite meetinghouse, the Jacob Hespeler Raceway, and the Rock Springs Brewery.
Brewster Trail
Located in the Hespeler area, the popular Brewster Trail is 1 km long. It has a paved stretch of trail from Hammet Street to Queen Street for use all-year-round. Signs along the trail allow for shared use by cyclists, hikers and rollerbladers.
Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail

The Grand River Conservation Authority operates the 18 km long Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail. The trail follows the old rail roadbed of the Lake Erie and Northern Railway; between Cambridge and the Town of Paris.

The trail is level and is finished with fine gravel, providing an easy path for cyclists and hikers. It also overlooks the east banks of the Grand River.
Devil's Creek Trail

The Devil's Creek Trail is 1.6 km long and runs through sensitive wetlands. It is the ideal hike for those who love nature.

We have recently made improvements to this trail.

Parking is available on both Bismark Drive and Blair Road near the trail.
Grand Trunk Trail

The Grand Trunk Trail travels for 7.5 km along the Grand River. On this trail, you can look for the Galt Fossil within the limestone at the Davidson Quarry Ramp way. You can also enjoy the picnic and boat launch facilities at Riverbluffs Park, home of the Cambridge Rowing Club.

The trail continues to the Parkhill Road Bridge, where it meets the Living Levee Trail.

Parking is available at the Trans Canada Trail pavilion.
Living Levee Trail

The Living Levee Trail is a 2.4 km long urban trail. It travels from the Park Hill Dam, along the Dan Spring Way, past Galt Collegiate Institute to Augusta Street. You can continue south along Water Street, past Barradell's Loft on the river's west side, to Absalom Walk. Here you can pass the sculpture gardens, McDougall's Cottage Museum and access into the new Gaslight District. This path continues to Waterworks Park.
Mill Creek Trail
A detour east from the Living Levee Trail along Main Street takes you to the paved 800 m long Mill Creek Trail. This trail passes the historic Galt Arena Gardens to Soper Park. The trail follows the 1850 Great Western Rail Line. From there it continues through Soper Park out to Elgin St S at the pedestrian tunnel which leads to under the rail line to Elgin St N.
Mill Pond Trail

The 8 km Mill Pond Trail has entrances at Guelph Avenue and Baldwin Drive. The trail has several surfaces, including pavement, stone dust and wood chips.

Please note that there are areas of steep ground on this trail.

The millpond on this trail feeds into Forbes Creek and then into the Speed River.

Parking is available on Baldwin Drive.

Take a walk through and learn more about the Mill Pond Trail with Nathan Lantz!
Mill Run Trail

The Mill Run Trail is a 5 km natural stone dust trail. The trail runs along the Speed River from its Sheffield Street parking lot, under Highway 401, to Riverside Park, connecting Hespeler to Preston.

The trail follows the 1896 Galt, Preston, and Hespeler Electric Railway Line. It passes through the Chilligo conservation area and the former Idylwyld Park.

At Riverside Park, you can cross through the park to the King Street Bridge to Chopin Drive and the Bob McMullen Linear Trail
Moffat Creek Trail
The Moffat Creek Trail is an easy strolling trail through Churchill Park to Dundas St following the Moffat Creek. At Dundas St it crosses connects through to the Greengate Subdivision and future South East Galt development.
Northview Heights Trail

The paved Northview Heights Trail travels off-road from an entrance at Avenue Rd (near Franklin Blvd) through Greenway Park and north past Christ The King School. It ends at the Can-Amera Roundabout. From there, it continues north as the Conestoga Blvd Multi-Use trail ending at Pinebush Rd. The trail connects several neighbourhoods, to commercial and industrial areas

It also provides a number of neighbourhoods with easy access to the Cambridge Centre mall without having to use a vehicle.
Portuguese Swamp Trail
The Portuguese Swamp Tramp runs through a wetland area. It is home to several species of amphibians. It wraps along the rear lot lines of the Mattamy subdivision off of Townline Rd, and exits out to Can-Amera Pkwy multi use trails.
Silverheights Trail
Silverheights Trail runs through Silverheights Park alongside Hespeler Road. The park is located behind a residential development with several walkways into the park to connect to the trail.
Walter Bean Trail

The Walter Bean Trail is a safe and wide trail that is an excellent trail for walking, jogging, and biking during warmer months. The trail is a popular spot for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and hiking in winter months.

The trail runs through Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, Woolwich and North Dumfries. On the Cambridge section of the trail, you will pass the historic village of Blair and the Cruickston Park estate.
Woodland Park Trail
The Woodland Park Trail is a natural trail that travels through a forested area in Hespeler, from Queen Street to Winston Boulevard.