Waterloo Region and Guelph

The Grand River gradually widens and strengthens as it flows through Waterloo Region.  After traversing the rural township of Woolwich, it skirts the eastern edge of the high-tech cities of Kitchener and Waterloo, before passing through the beautiful historic centre of Galt, now part of Cambridge. The river is readily accessible to paddlers with numerous access points. For safety information, consult the GRCA. Canoeing the Grand and Grand Experiences at Bingemans both offer guided and self-guided trips on the Grand. Novice paddlers can also choose a one-day learn to paddle course at Grand Experiences. For a different experience, go horseback riding with Conestogo River Horseback Adventures along the Grand, and one of its major tributaries, the Conestogo River.

Kaufman Flats, Waterloo

Access to the Grand River using Public Transit

Trails along the Grand River can be accessed at numerous points in Waterloo Region using public transit. Grand River Transit buses have bike racks on the front of each bus which can be used by riders. Bikes can be taken on ION trains if there is room. To see how to load your bike on a GRT bus, watch this video.

The Grand Trail follows the route of the Trans Canada Trail from the village of West Montrose, through Elmira, St Jacobs and all three cities in Waterloo Region. Take time to explore along the way and stay overnight in one of the numerous comfortable hotels and motels along the route. River City Cycle Rentals, near the Grand Trail in Kitchener, rents bicycles. If you have your own bike, join Great Canadian Bicycle Tours on one of their volunteer run group bike rides in the region.

The Grand River’s largest tributary, the Speed River flows into the Grand River in Cambridge. Bike up the Speed River Trail to the historic village of Hespeler. From here, follow backroads to bustling city of Guelph, situated at the confluence of the Eramosa River and the Speed River.

The Nith River is another tributary of the Grand that flows through several picturesque small towns in Waterloo Region, such as Wellesley, New Hamburg and Ayr. Visit the restored Victorian mansion and museum, Castle Kilbride in the village of Baden, or come to Wellesley in September for the Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival. Some sections of the Nith may be paddled, especially in spring when water levels are high. Grand Experiences offers guided trips on the Nith River.

For a truly unique experience, Great Lakes Helicopter offers scenic helicopter tours of the region.

West Montrose

West Montrose is a tiny village in Woolwich Township that is renowned for its “Kissing Bridge”, which spans the Grand River. This is one of the oldest of the few remaining covered bridges in Canada. Woolwich Township has the largest community of Old Order Mennonites in Canada. Their horse drawn buggies and farm equipment are often seen around the region.

Horse Drawn Farm Equipment

Elmira

Elmira is the largest community in Woolwich Township. It is famous for the world’s largest Maple Syrup Festival, held when the sap is running in spring. Take a horse drawn cart to a farm and see your maple syrup drip out of the tree. Visit the Elmira Farmers Market every Saturday, all year round.

Mennonite Buggy in Elmira

St Jacobs

This historic mill town is a shopper’s paradise. Numerous artisans work and sell their wares from shops in historic buildings, including the old mill. The original Home Hardware store is on the main street. For more information about St Jacobs go to the St Jacobs Village website.

Visit the St Jacobs Market, just south of St Jacobs. This is Canada’s largest year round market. Find produce brought in by horse and buggy from the area’s Mennonite farms; local meats and cheeses; and arts and crafts. Don’t miss the numerous food vendors, including The Fritter Company's famous apple fritters. Make sure to visit The Mennonite Story at the market, and learn about the history and current life of the area’s early settlers.

Saturday Morning at the St Jacobs Market

Waterloo

Waterloo is home to 3 international think tanks: The Institute for Quantum Computing; the Centre for International Governance Innovation; and the Perimeter Institute of Theoretical Physics. The Perimeter Institute is housed in an eye-popping modern building on the shores of Silver Lake, in the centre of Waterloo and beside the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery. Visit the llamas and see Waterloo’s original log schoolhouse at nearby Waterloo Park. The city is home to several festivals, including The Busker's Festival in August; and the Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival, held in July.

Waterloo Park Promenade

Kitchener

Kitchener is the largest city in the region. Downtown Kitchener is full of innovative buildings, both renovated historic industrial buildings and modern architecture. On one corner of Victoria Street and King St are the Waterloo Campus of McMaster Medical School, and the University of Toronto Pharmacy School. The latter is covered in unique glass panes with pictures of medicinal herbs. Kitty corner to these buildings is the Kaufman Lofts, apartments housed in a renovated rubber factory. In winter, skate outside Kitchener City Hall, just up the street. Visit nearby Victoria Park in all seasons.

The Centre in the Square is a large concert venue with fabulous acoustics, home to the KW Symphony and numerous touring musical and theatre productions. Next door is the Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery. Also worth a visit, The Museum in downtown Kitchener hosts international touring exhibitions as well as permanent exhibits and workshops.

Kitchener-Waterloo is famous for the worlds largest annual Oktoberfest celebration outside Germany. Get ready to raise a glass of Bavarian beer; eat some sausage on a bun with sauerkraut; and do the chicken dance with a live band. Other annual festivals include the KW Multicultural Festival, at the end of June, and the Kitchener Blues Festival, held in August.

As you bike from the centre of Kitchener towards Cambridge, the Grand Trail goes right past the Ken Seiling Museum and Doon Pioneer Village.

Onkel Hans, Oktoberfest

Cambridge

At the border between Kitchener and Cambridge, the Grand Trail crosses Highway 401 on a pedestrian bridge. Stand above North America’s busiest highway, safely behind mesh, and watch the cars and trucks speed by completely oblivious to the pedestrians and cyclists overhead.

Cambridge was formed from the amalgamation of 3 cities, where the Speed River, a major tributary, meets the Grand River. The Cambridge Farmers Market is the 3rd oldest farmers market in Canada, still located in its 1887 building across from the historic 1858 Cambridge City Hall.

Once over the 401 bridge, a multi-use trail beside the Grand River takes pedestrians and cyclists into the old town of Galt. Cross the new pedestrian bridge for a spectacular view of the city’s 19th century stone architecture and the iconic bowstring bridge crossing the Grand River.

Look for the incredible murals on the walls of downtown businesses in Galt. In the evening, attend a Drayton Entertainment performance at the Hamilton Family Theatre.

Ride a bike along trails beside the Speed River from Riverside Park in Preston, to the village of Hespeler, north of the 401. Visit the Fashion History Museum in the centre of Hespeler; and Four Fathers Craft Brewery beside the Hespeler Millpond. (From here, you can continue on quiet roads up the Speed River to Guelph.

Main Street Bridge, Cambridge

Mural, downtown Galt

Guelph

Known as the Royal City, Guelph was founded in the early 1820s. The centre of Guelph has many historic buildings and is dominated by the Roman Catholic Basilica of the Immaculate, built from 1876-88. You can also visit McCrae House, the home of Dr. John McCrae, author of the well-known poem about the First World War, “In Flanders Fields”.

Guelph is home to the Hillside Festival, a world-renowned eclectic summer music festival held in July.

Ride beside the Speed River on the Royal Trail and admire the covered bridge where the Eramosa meets the Speed River. Then follow the Downtown Trail through the centre of Guelph. Or rent a canoe or kayak and paddle on the Speed River at the Boathouse, where you can relax afterwards with tea and ice cream.

Cyclists at the Confluence of the Eramosa and Speed Rivers