Head out here one day and ride the Iron Horse, Laurel, Spur and many others. Crossings are well marked with lights and islands to aid cyclists. These railbeds have been tamed into actual Park-style paths, and the city has paved them and added directional signs, info boards, benches, and sculptures of old machinery on the route.īeing in the city, the road crossings are many and at times busy, so keep an eye on the kids. Unlike most Rail Trails, these ones are urban, with much to see and hear. junction is the short Spur Line Trail, a mere 2.5 km long. Along either side of this path lie the expansive sports grounds and parklands of Waterloo Park and Silver Lake: another stop to rest, explore or let the kids go wild.Īn optional side Rail Trail running east from the Erb St. Immediately you will be struck by the modern architecture of the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery and University of Waterloo campus buildings. Also, glance to your left to spot the old train station, now a museum.

W., you can go west on the Laurel Trail for 2.6 km alongside the LRT tracks. Upon reaching the busy intersection at Erb St. One street over is King Street, a hub of activity, stores and eateries. S.įear not! it continues northwest along the sidewalk as a designated path for 800m (8 blocks ). By the 5th km of the Iron Horse, it appears to end at Caroline St.

At this beautiful park, you can explore paths around the large pond. Not the prettiest of sights nor is the waterway we followed, Schneider Creek, all encased in concrete.Įventually, this becomes a more green and shady ride as you pass Victoria Park. We started on a fine day at the south end, where it starts off of Ottawa St. And a popular, family-friendly ride it is. (I usually look for 10 km or more of riding to post as a review.) Wishing to include something representative, I have connected these two paths for an 8 km cycle. Alas none of the paths here is of any great length. The city of Kitchener-Waterloo is a bike-friendly town, with many routes cyclists can take. Now replaced by new tracks, stations and electric LRT streetcars running commuters about town. There is a train theme to this route that echoes the days when older trains passed by.

It, too, seems likely to have been a rail line years ago, and the two flow into each other nicely. I highly recommend continuing further, along at least part of the Laurel Trail, to continue your ride a little longer. In the centre of Kitchener-Waterloo runs an 8+ km urban Rail Trail that is a pleasure to pedal: the Iron Horse.

Urban iron horse bike