Walking and Bike Trails

Walking and Bike Trails
Kitchener offers over 100 kilometres of community trails throughout the City suitable for walking, jogging, bicycling, walking the dog or even bird watching. These well-marked and groomed stone dust trails are frequented by residents and visitors alike. Maps of the trail system are on the Grand River Transit maps which can be obtained for $2 each at Kitchener Community Services, 7th floor of City Hall, the Transit Terminal on Charles Street in Kitchener, Forwell Variety at King St. & University Ave, Waterloo, U of W Federation of Students and the information kiosks at Fairview and Conestoga malls.

Notice of Trail Closure at Highway 8 Bridge

The Walter Bean Grand River Community Trail where it passes under the Highway 8 bridge crossing of the Grand River will be closed for a two year period, commencing the week of August 31st 2009. The trail closure is limited to the area immediately in the vicinity of the Highway 8 bridge, and is due to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation's re-construction of the bridge, now underway. The trail is expected to remain closed until bridge re-construction work is completed, anticipated by July 2011.

The Walter Bean Trail passes beneath Highway 8, on the south side bank of the Grand River. The section of closed trail will be reinstated as part of the Province's bridge re-construction work and is expected to be re-opened to trail users in July 2011.

The City of Kitchener will place signage advising trail users of the trail closure, in the vicinity of King Street East at the Freeport Bridge, and also in the vicinity of Kuntz Park - Pioneer Tower Road pumping station. Trail users will still be able to access the Walter Bean Trail at these locations, however the trail will be dead-ended both sides of the work zone closure at the Highway 8 bridge.

Walter Bean Grand River Trail
Not far away from the hustle and bustle of the city is a little piece of paradise where lush trees tower overhead, the scent of evergreen lingers in the crisp winter air and the snow crunches beneath your feet. It is the Walter Bean Grand River Trail and it is waiting for you to discover.

The Walter Bean Grand River Trail was built to improve community access to the river, increase its recreational use and enhance the Grand River Valley's environment. Begun in 1999, the trail provides a place for residents to enjoy the great outdoors in both winter and summer.

Slated to be more than 76 kilometres long when fully completed, the safe, wide trail provides an excellent walking, jogging and biking route in the warmer seasons. In the winter, the Walter Bean Trail is a popular destination within the City of Kitchener for snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing and hiking.

The best part of the Walter Bean Trail is your surroundings are always changing, especially in the winter. Everything can change with just one fresh snowfall.

Named in honour of Walter Bean, a business visionary and community leader, the Grand River Trail is reconnecting communities with the Grand River. Running through Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, Woolwich and North Dumfries, the trail provides easy access to more than 25 per cent of the Grand River's 290 kilometre meandering courseway.

The Walter Bean Grand River Trail is currently about 70 per cent finished and is being completed in phases. During the 2002 construction season, 13 kilometres of trail were completed within the City of Kitchener. There are now more than 41 kilometres in place within the region.

For more information and a map of the Walter Bean Grand River Trail, go to www.sju.ca/grt or contact 519-831-4104.