Walking vs. Biking
Walking trails offer numerous physical, mental, and environmental benefits.
Regular trail walking can improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles, and aid in weight management.
It also provides opportunities to reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance creativity.
You might even develop a greater appreciation for nature and turn into an environmentalist.
Biking trails offer many benefits, including improved physical and mental health, reduced traffic congestion, and a positive impact on the environment.
This activity is considered low impact but aerobic. You are sitting but still using that lower body to pedal up those hills or speed up to stay with friends.
3 Favourite Trails
Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail
The Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail is a scenic, 18-kilometre path that follows the former Lake Erie and Northern Railway line along the Grand River.
Whether you’re cycling, running, or just enjoying a leisurely stroll, the route offers a wonderful mix of nature, history, and small-town charm.
The Starting Point – Cambridge
The trail begins at Water Street South in Cambridge, near the old railway bridge.
From the start, you’re greeted with views of the Grand River and the peaceful sounds of rushing water.
Early in the route, the canopy of mature trees offers shade, and depending on the season, you might spot deer or great blue herons.
Riverside Views
For much of the journey, the Grand River is your constant companion.
The wide, slow-moving waters create tranquil reflections of the forested banks, especially in the early morning or near sunset.
Benches at scenic spots make perfect rest stops for birdwatching or photography.
Thick Carolinian Forest
You’ll travel through stretches of rare Carolinian forest — a unique southern Ontario ecosystem home to species you won’t see in other parts of the province.
In spring, wildflowers bloom in colourful patches; in autumn, the trail bursts with red, orange, and gold leaves.
Historical Railway Remnants
Because this was once a railway line, you’ll notice old telegraph poles, mile markers, and the occasional remnant of a station or siding.
Interpretive signs along the route share stories about the Lake Erie and Northern Railway and the communities it once connected.
Whistle Bare and Glen Morris
The hamlet of Glen Morris sits roughly halfway along the trail and is a charming place to stop.
There’s a small general store, picnic areas, and easy access to the river. You can also find trail access points here if you prefer a shorter trip.
Wildlife Encounters
This trail is a hotspot for wildlife lovers. You might see beavers or muskrats in the river, hawks circling overhead, or turtles sunning themselves on logs.
The quiet, car-free setting makes it easy to hear birdsong and spot movement in the underbrush such as a rhea!
Approaching Paris
As you near Paris, the “prettiest little town in Canada,” the Grand River widens and the trail passes old industrial buildings and limestone cliffs. The final stretch delivers you into the heart of Paris, where heritage architecture, riverside cafés, and boutique shops await.
Glen Morris is a lovely half way stop with washrooms and a great picnic area, but don’t miss the old German’s woollen mill.
Walter Bean Grand River Trail
If you can find downtown Galt (Cambridge) and the Cambridge Rowing club house on the west bank of the Grand River near Dickson Park ball diamonds just down a short gravel road, that’s where you should begin your bike or walk adventure.
There is even a place to park your car.
The trail is mainly gravel but easy to travel along and it hugs the river.
It is shady and the views are spectacular!
I suggest that you take lots of pictures and stop once in awhile to drink and enjoy the limestone cliffs, the Grand River in all its beatuy that will surround you.
If you see Cambridge Memorial Hospital and the beautiful Cambridge Golf and Country Club across the river from your lookout, then you are on the right trail.
Eventually you will arrive at the beginning of the Walter Bean Trail.
There is another parking lot here very close to George St. which heads west towards the hamlet of Blair.
The trail passes through the famous RARE reserve and there are lots of things to see there for sure, but keep moving toward Blair.
You will have to bike or hike along a one mile stretch of roadway for a bit, which some people find a little dangerous as there is heavy traffic at times.
That said, hiding in the trees, to your left, are two magnificent estates that are known as local landmarks, and which you can visit and even rent rooms at, if you want.
One is Langdon Hall (hotel and estate):
And the other is Cruickston Park (private unique houses to rent), which are guarded by water buffalo…
Once you arrive in Blair, look for the osprey’s nest high up on a pole on the Fountain Street bridge.
Depending on the time of year, you might be lucky enough to see mom feeding her babies!
This is where the trail ends for Cambridge, although you can keep going north into Kitchener, if you want.
Devil’s Creek Trail
This trail is about 2 km long and super beautiful, very diverse, and with many secrets.
I like to believe that the trail begins on Blenheim Road just before you cross the railway tracks heading west out of Galt (Cambridge).
You walk or bike past the last few houses coming down a small hill on Blenheim Road, and on your right, is the turn into the trail head. Watch out for loose gravel at the beginning otherwise the trail is very manageable.
By the way, if you end up crossing the CPR (Canadian Pacific Railway) tracks, you’ve missed the beginning of the trail.
You will soon experience a pond on your right, and, if you take your time, you might spot a luxurious home overlooking the pond, up on a hill.
Now let me warn you. If you are on this trail during hot weather i.e. mid summer, the black flies and deer flies will never let you be.
I like to travel the Devil’s Creek trail in early spring and early fall, both walking and riding.
Now don’t give up until you reach the river because the trail crosses a couple of city streets but keep going straight ahead.
Along the way, you might experience the trail passing, blowing its whistle, or, if you’re really lucky, it will be wildflower season.
Even though deer, wolves, bobcats, racoons, skunks and lots of birds are watching you, I don’t think you will see them.
You could always come back maybe at dawn or dusk and just sit a while!
Devil’s Cave
Devil’s Cave is located at the end of the Devil’s Creek Trail in Cambridge Ontario (almost).
It’s a decent size rock shelter, approximately 2.3 meters high, 2 meters wide and 5 meters deep.
More than comfortable to stand up in. It has two very small solution tubes in the back. The roof of the cave is only a meter below the top of the cliff face.
The whole area looks promising for more rock shelters and caves, but this seems to be the only significant cave in this area.
When I was around 8, my father took me into the cave. I remember climbing down a tree on the cliff edge to get in and then climbing back up the tree to get out! Wow!!!
I have viewed the gave in recent times from my kayak on the river, but never tried to scale the limestone cliff since.
Enjoy The Benefits of Hiking and Biking
Here’s a small taste of what it’s like out on the Cambridge trails!
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