Iron Horse – Park / Rail Trail

Length –  8+ km (one way)

80% rail trail path
20% road crossings, detours

Elevation – Flat with a gradual slope north

Terrain – Paved asphalt, like a Park path; cleared in the winter

Skill – Easy

Maps – Well-marked trail signage, some newly painted lines

Traffic – Cyclists, walkers, joggers, rollerbladers, dogs, kids and strollers; A busy place on weekends

Facilities – Parking, toilets, benches, fancy bike racks, playgrounds, close to food and lodging

Highlights – Modern inner city and buildings, parks, LRT trains, downtown galleries

Trail Fee – Free

Phone – 519 741 2345

Website – City of Kitchener

Similar Trails – Beltline, Speed River, Greenway

Local Clubs – Waterloo Cycling Club

Access – Find street parking. Parking lots at Victoria Park, Waterloo Park, Train Station Museum and UofW lots.

History – (I no longer include train history in my free reviews. Only to be found in my published books.)

In the centre of Kitchener-Waterloo runs an 8+ km urban Rail Trail that is a pleasure to pedal: the Iron Horse. I highly recommend continuing further, along at least part of the Laurel Trail, to continue your ride  a little longer. It, too, seems likely to have been a rail line years ago, and the two flow into each other nicely.

There is a train theme to this route that echoes the days when older trains passed by. Now replaced by new tracks, stations and electric LRT streetcars running commuters about town.

The city of Kitchener-Waterloo is a bike-friendly town, with many routes cyclists can take. Alas none of the paths here is of any great length. (I usually look for 10 km or more of riding to post as a review.)

Wishing to include something representative, I have connected these two paths for an 8 km cycle. And a popular, family-friendly ride it is. 

We started on a fine day at the south end, where it starts off of Ottawa St. in an industrial area. Not the prettiest of sights nor is the waterway we followed, Schneider Creek, all encased in concrete. 

Eventually, this becomes a more green and shady ride as you pass Victoria Park.  At this beautiful park, you can explore paths around the large pond. By the 5th km of the Iron Horse, it appears to end at Caroline St. S.

Fear not! it continues northwest along…

Read the rest of this review and 59 others in my NEW book, Volume 2 of Best Bicycle Park & Rail Trails in Ontario.