Log in


Trails

GHTC MAINTAINED TRAILS

GHTC does not own any land. The trails belong to both private and public landowners. They have granted a privilege to the Guelph Hiking Trail Club. In consideration of the landowners’ rights, and as responsible members of the Club, please adhere to the following Trail Users’ Code.

The Guelph Hiking Trail Club has established and maintains three main trails and their related side trails. The total length of these trails is, at present, approximately 80km.

  • Radial Line Trail-- generally follows an abandoned railway line from the City of Guelph, easterly through the valleys of the Eramosa River, Blue Springs Creek and Black Creek to the Bruce Trail near Limestone. This trail is  not suitable for bicycles or any other motor vehicles, nor have the landowners sanctioned these as uses of the trail. Some sections are suitable for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing depending on snow conditions. Trail length 37.1km
  • Speed River Trail-- begins at the west side of the City of Guelph and follows the Speed River in a southwesterly direction to the edge of Cambridge. This trail is not suitable for bicycles or any other motor vehicles, nor have the landowners sanctioned these as uses of the trail. Some sections are suitable for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing depending on snow conditions. Trail length 13.4km
  • Kissing Bridge Trail-- is a multipurpose trail, following the former CPR Guelph-to-Goderich railway line from the northern end of Guelph to Millbank. The Guelph Hiking Trail Club, maintains the 13 km section between Guelph and the Grand River. This trail is suitable for hiking, biking, snow-shoeing and skiing. In addition, some sections are open to snowmobiles during the winter.
  • Starkey Trail--a 4 km loop trail southeast of Guelph that is jointly maintained with the Grand River Conservation Authority.

The Radial Line Trail and the Speed River Trail are marked by single orange paint blazes, approximately 15cm high by 5 cm wide, on trees, fence posts, stiles or rocks. Double blazes, one staggered above the other, indicate a change of direction. Side trails are blazed in blue.

The Kissing Bridge Trailway is not blazed, as it follows and abandoned railway line on an obvious course. It is however, very well signed.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Guelph Hiking Trail Club is wishes to express gratitude and acknowledge:

  • The landowners who have kindly granted permission to the Club to establish trails on their properties.
  • The small and dedicated group who originally formed the Guelph Hiking Trail Club and worked diligently to clear and blaze the Radial Line Trail; those who carried on and established the Speed River Trail and the Kissing Bridge Trailway; and those members who continue to maintain these trails.
  • The many individuals and organizations who have donated funds which have enabled the Club to make capital improvements to our trails, including the Guelph Lions Club, the TD Canada Trust Friends of the Environment Foundation, the County of Wellington, the Regional Municipality of Waterloo and the Trillium Foundation.

 

Trail Handbook

TRAIL MAPS Coloured trail maps are published in our Guelph Hiking Trail Club Handbook.
It is not necessary to be a member to buy a Handbook, but membership fees help us keep these trails open. The cost for handbook is $15 for members and $20 for non-members.
  1. Use our on-line order processing.  Click the Handbook image below to go to our store.
  2. Or mail a cheque, along with a Membership Form  and indicate you are ordering the "Handbook with Trail Maps" and enclose funds.
  3. Or contact the Membership Coordinator.


Guelph Hiking Trail Club is a charitable organization Registration#11894 9395

PO Box 1, Guelph, ON, N1H 6J6 


Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software