The best MTB trails around Waterloo

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.

Kolb Park is a lovely green space that runs along the Grand River, named after Pennsylvania-German pioneer Jacob Kolb, who settled at the Breslau ford in 1829. The site was a sand and gravel pit from 1983 to 1989, then re-naturalized by the Grand River Conservation Authority, and today its small ponds and surrounding trails are a popular spot for walkers, anglers, and wildlife enthusiasts. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including birds, fish, and turtles, and is a great access point to the Grand River and the Walter Bean Grand River Trail.

The Walter Bean Grand River Trail runs approximately 76 kilometres along the Grand River through Waterloo, Kitchener, and Cambridge, forming part of both the Grand Valley Trail and the Trans Canada Trail. This section passes through Kolb Park on a wide, groomed gravel path, where four re-naturalized ponds sit just steps from the Grand River, where you’ll have a good chance of spotting turtles, beaver, and a variety of bird species along the way. The park is also a popular access point to the Grand River for canoes and kayaks, so don’t be surprised if you see a few paddlers heading out on the water.

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.

The river here is a great place for you to watch for local wildlife. If you stay quiet, you might spot a blue heron standing still in the shallow water or see a bald eagle soaring above the trees. For those who like being on the water, this section is popular for canoeing and kayaking because the current is usually gentle.