With the warmer weather moving in, people have begun to look for and participate in more outdoor activities.
Exploring nearby hiking trails is one of many great ways to enjoy the outdoors, get exercise, and spend quality time with friends and family.
Although most of the shorter paths within the city are maintained by the City of Guelph, there are more rugged trails on the outskirts of the city that a group of local hiking enthusiasts have played a large part in building and maintaining.
The Guelph Hiking Trail Club (GHTC) built and continue to maintain these trails around the city. Formed in 1970, it is now the largest hiking club in Wellington.
“The mandate of the club is to promote hiking and outdoor activities in the community," said Dave Culham, president of the GHTC. "We offer a full schedule of hikes to our members and to the public, with a variety of lengths, speeds, difficulty levels, days of the week, and times of the day.”
The volunteer-based, non-profit club maintains trails like the Radial Line Trail, Kissing Bridge Trail, Starkey Loop and Speed River Trail.
The Speed River Trail, which should not be confused with the Speed River Trail that the City of Guelph maintains, is the GHTC’s past president Bill Mungall’s favourite path.
“This trail has been there since 1973. You’ll see lots of wildlife, from deer, ducks, geese, raccoons, and if you’re lucky even a possum,” said Mungall, who noted the trail is approximately 20 km. “You’d never know you’re in the city. It feels like wilderness and it covers interesting terrain.”
The lesser known Speed River Trail is hidden behind the Guelph Humane Society, and leads all the way to Cambridge, along the Speed River up to Niska Road. By some it is referred to as the Guelph Humane Society Trail.
Mungall said that the original intention of the trails was to connect the city to other areas and hiking paths beyond.
One of the most well-known paths that the GHTC built connects to Canada’s oldest and longest trail - The Bruce Trail. According to Mungall, that was one of the main reasons the club began: to create a pathway that connected to the Bruce Trail.
This trail, known as the The Guelph Radial Line Trail is approximately 33 km in length running from Guelph to Limehouse. It was made using the path formed by an abandoned railway bed that was once used for an electric railway that connected Guelph to Toronto between April 1917 and August 1931.
The line was deep in the woods and owned by private landowners. The club negotiated with the private owners to allow the blazing of the trail according to Mungall.
He noted that the GHTC has 42 informal agreements with landowners and is extremely thankful for the generosity of those landowners who have allowed the building of footpaths through their property.
Culham confirmed that the club has also begun to focus on attracting children in the exploration of the many trails. The GHTC's Kids Hike Program offers guided hikes would be a suitable distance for children. The program focuses on offering excitement and fun to young hikers.
In addition to the Kids Hike Program, the club regularly runs guided hikes that are open to the public. Culham noted that these hikes aren't exclusively on the GHTC's trails, but offered hikes along Preservation Park, the Arboretum, and Ignatius Jesuit Centre.
GHTC is able to maintain their trails and programs through their members.
Mungall noted that “hiking is an inexpensive and very safe sport.” Members pay a fee of $25 per year, or $100 for five years. These funds help to run the not-for-profit organization.
Some members volunteer to maintain a portion of a trail. Mungall noted that many of the members take great pride in their trails. One specific member has been looking after a section of the trail for close to 40 years.
He reminds people that, as the weather warms up and people begin to explore Guelph’s many trails, they should keep safety at the top of mind.
He encourages hikers to wear proper gear, including running shoes or hiking shoes for farther distances, bring water and snacks for hydration and fuel, and a partner for your walk.
If you decide to travel alone, bring a cell phone and let someone know which trail you’ll be traveling and when you’re expected back.
Find out more about the Guelph Hiking Trail Club here.
Find out more about hiking safety here.
