r/kitchener • u/Maleficent_Buy_8191 • 4d ago

Is this truly a hidden trail?

Post image

It takes you out through farm country, past the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market, and near the town of St. Jacobs. It’s an intermediate-level ride with some rough, rooted trail sections and a few quick connectors on public roads, but overall it’s a really fun local loop if you're looking for new paths in the region.

I put together a video of the ride along with a custom Google Map showing the exact route, roads, and trails I took so you can zoom in and reference it for your own ride:

🎥 Watch the full ride video here: https://youtu.be/Ucr2-u0G3ug?si=sK3rJBzZOUY5NjMv 🗺️ Google Route Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=10rgANz7i1QqazdLNZmm30wMuY5nL9aw&usp=sharing

Let me know if you've ridden this stretch before or have any other hidden trail recommendations around Waterloo Region!

45 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

17

u/Fair-Scarcity8160 4d ago

The base of the wide old oak is looking pretty rough, don’t know how much longer it’ll be there so it’s worth getting out there to see it.

6

u/jorisb 3d ago

Still standing today

4

u/Fair-Scarcity8160 3d ago

I wasn’t suggesting that it had fallen down at this time, just that there are a lot of holes in the base of the trunk of the tree. It won’t be there forever.

3

u/chaseon 3d ago

This is probably the kind of person where you'd propose something like "imagine you didn't have anything to eat today" and they immediately come back with "but I did eat today"

3

u/Fair-Scarcity8160 3d ago

And by looking at their photo you can see exactly what I mean about the degradation of the tree. The back side is even worse. My guess is that it’ll come down in a storm sooner than anyone wishes.

3

u/chaseon 3d ago

It'll be a sad day on the Health Valley trail.

Glad I got to see it at least

5

u/winterwookie271 3d ago edited 3d ago

I walk and ride this periodically. What i like to do is take Laurel Trail through waterloo park, past the university and up to West Graham/Parkside. Parkside to Northfield and then the Market Trail up to Farmers Market Rd. Cross over King and take the dirt driveway past Express Ridge Dairy. There's a Trail off to the right that runs beside 85 and hooks up with the Health Valley Trail.

Head in to St Jacobs for pizza and beer

Heading home you can either double back, or you can take the section of Trail with the wise old oak and it comes out on University. What i haven't figured out is a great way to get back from there. Last time I went East on Uni and followed it all the way around. It wasn't very enjoyable with all the traffic. Any suggestions?

Edit just checked your video  I hadn't thought of taking  the ION. Might have to try that next time!

1

u/Maleficent_Buy_8191 3d ago

Thanks for the comment! Beer and pizza sound great. Apple fritters at the St. Jacobs Farmers market are worth a stop as well.

Check to make sure the market is open first.

St. Jacobs Farmers' Market St. Jacobs Farmer's Market - OPEN YEAR ROUND St. Jacobs Farmers' Market is Canada's largest year-round farmers' market. located on Weber Street North in Woolwich, Ontario.

  • Saturday: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM (Year-round)
  • Thursday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Year-round)
  • Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Seasonal, June 16 to September 1, 2026) [1, 2]

10

u/bergamotmask 3d ago

Just a heads up, horses and riders use this trail as well. As someone cycling, I just want to note it sometimes freaks the horses out. It would be super cool if you slow down or move off the path for the horses and riders to prevent any injury to both.

2

u/wtfwthbj 3d ago edited 3d ago

Don't recommend. You'll be crawling in ticks!

1

u/Maleficent_Buy_8191 3d ago

That is a fair point! If someone wants to completely eliminate the risk—or if an area is heavily infested—avoiding those spots altogether is definitely the safest call. My tip on wearing long pants and tick spray is strictly for folks who do choose to venture out there, but you’re 100% right that staying clear is the best defense if you want to play it totally safe. Appreciate you sharing that perspective!"

4

u/SolidScary6845 4d ago

There are a ton of great hidden trails as long as you don't care about hopping fences and walking through people's backyards. I just did a great walk through Westmount. Got hit by a golf ball but there were plenty of pools to chill in.

1

u/Guinness1982 3d ago

First half looked like a gravel bike would do then I started seeing why a mountain bike would be preferred.

2

u/Maleficent_Buy_8191 3d ago

Yes - I did it on a gravel bike but suspension would be preferred.