The best walks and hikes around Woolwich

Following the Grand River through Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge, the Walter Bean Grand River Trail offers a long, scenic mix of riverside paths, forest segments, boardwalks, and open meadow views. The route connects neighbourhoods, parks, and conservation areas, with frequent access points and well-marked sections that make it easy to walk shorter pieces or cycle longer stretches. Lookouts along the river give excellent views of the water, wetlands, and seasonal wildlife, while paved portions keep the trail accessible year-round. It’s one of the region’s signature green corridors and a reliable choice for peaceful, scenic walking or cycling close to the city.

The Grand River is a major waterway that stretches nearly 280 kilometers through the southern part of Ontario. It winds past farmland, forests, and historic towns before flowing into Lake Erie. There are multiple ways to enjoy what the river has to offer such as hiking long-distance routes like the Grand Valley Trail, or paddling peaceful river stretches with access from several points. Wildlife is also abundant along its banks, making it a great pick for a nature-focused outing.

There are numerous side paths that take you to viewpoints along the water from the Avon Trail. From here, the Conestogo flows east toward its confluence with Grand River, and eventually, Lake Erie.

Also known as the Health Valley Trail, the path crosses a dike on the north side of the field as it leads you through farmland toward the Conestogo River. You can park along University Ave by the trail's south entrance.

As you walk, you will follow white blazes marked on the trees, which guide you through rolling hills and quiet, shaded pathways. The woods are filled with a mix of hardwoods like maple and oak, which create a beautiful canopy overhead. In the spring, you can see colorful wildflowers blooming on the forest floor, and in the autumn, the leaves turn into a sea of bright yellow and orange.

This is the north end of RIM Park and the end of the Walter Bean Grand River Trail section, but there’s no parking available here. If you’re planning to walk this route, you’ll need to park at the main RIM Park parking area that is located on Park Road. It’s a common point of confusion, so it’s worth planning ahead.

Running alongside the trail, the Grand River is the main backdrop for this entire section. For much of the route, you’re walking right beside the water, with open views in some areas and more filtered glimpses through trees in others. The river moves steadily here, and you’ll often see birds along the banks or on the water. It’s part of a much larger river system that flows south across the region toward Lake Erie, adding a quiet sense of scale to an otherwise easy, local walk.

This section of the Walter Bean Grand River Trail follows a wide, easy path alongside the Grand River, making it more of a relaxed walk or run than a traditional hike. The trail is mostly flat, with a mix of paved and gravel surfaces, and stays close to the water for much of the route. You’ll move between open parkland and shaded sections through trees, with occasional views of the river. It’s part of a much longer trail system that runs through the region, but this stretch is especially accessible and easy to follow.