City of Waterloo trails take you through Uptown Waterloo, parkland, natural areas, woodlands and creek corridors.  Started over fifteen years ago, our network of trails has grown to over one hundred and twenty kilometres in length. Today, there are multi-use trails for hiking, jogging , cycling and roller blading; bike routes on City streets and low-impact trails for foot traffic only. Wherever possible, trails are accessible for people with mobility limitations. As our City grows and changes, we are committed to building new trails and bikeways that will link all parts of the City and connect to our neighbouring communities.

The Trails Advisory Committee meets monthly and advises Council on the planning, development and promotion of trails, greenways and cycling facilities within the City of Waterloo.  Visit them here.

Public parking is available for the following trail routes:

Laurel Trail:  

• ll Waterloo Park parking lots off Father David Bauer Drive, across from the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex
• off Young St.
• off Seagram Dr.
• small lot on Bearinger Rd. @ Westmount Rd.
• pay & display at Erb St. and Father David Bauer Dr.
• Uptown Waterloo Parkade on King St. – entrance from Regina St.    

RIM Park Trails:

• Manulife Finance Sportsplex

Walter Bean Trail:

• designated Walter Bean Trail parking at the  trail head, just west of the Grey Silo Parkhouse, by the Kiosk.

Trip Length: Remember to calculate your return trip along the trail. For example, the Walter Bean Trail is a total of 8kms (4kms each way) to return to your start point.
 
Washrooms: Public facilities are available for the following trail routes: (otherwise, plan ahead!)
Laurel Trail: – during park operating hours in Waterloo Park
RIM Park Trails: – at the Manulife Financial Sportsplex
Walter Bean Trail: – at the Grey Silo Park House during regular golf course operating hours

Bring Your Own Water Bottle! A lightweight, comfortable backpack for water and trail snacks is a great investment for hiking or biking.

Trail User's Code

• Share the trail.
• Always announce your intent to pass and allow others to pass safely. 
• Use only marked trails and follow the signs. 
• Do not trespass on private land.  
• Stop for vehicular traffic where trails cross streets. 
• Stay on the trails to avoid damaging trailside vegetation or creek banks. 
• Leave plants and small creatures in their natural habitats. 
• Use waste receptacles or carry your litter home. 
• Respect the privacy of people living adjacent to trails. 
• Keep your pet on a leash.  
• Pick up after your dog. By law #91-101 requires pet owners to clean up after their dogs within city limits.

Cycling Safety

• You must come to a full stop at all red lights and stop signs.
• No passengers are allowed on a bicycle designed for one person.  
• All bikes must be equipped with a bell or horn in good working condition. It’s the law! 
• If riding on-street you are considered a vehicle under the law, Understand the Highway Traffic Act. 
• While it is recommended that all cyclists wear a helmet, it’s the law that all cyclists under the age of 18 years wear a helmet while operating a bicycle on a roadway, shoulder of the road or sidewalk. (Helmets are recommended for all cyclists). Proper helmet fitting 
• Your bike must have a white or amber front light and a red rear light or reflector if you ride between ½ hour before or after sunset. Your bicycle must also be equipped with white reflective tape on the front forks and red reflective tape on the rear forks.  
• Before you turn, look behind you and signal to indicate your turns. Cyclists now have the option of extending their right arm to signal a right turn. 

Cycling Education
CAN-BIKE SAFE CYCLING COURSES
KIDS CAN-BIKE is the Canadian Cycling Associations' safe cycling education program for children with instructors trained and accredited by the association.  There are two CAN-BIKE courses available for children: