Outdoor Adventures

The Kissing Bridge Trailway runs along former railway land that stretches over 124 km, and is part of the Trans Canada Trail, operated through a partnership between the County, the Region of Waterloo and groups who maintain sections of the trail.

This is a popular trail for hiking, road biking, and walking. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash. 

Designated parking can be found at 5535 Wellington Road 39, and in Ariss at the dead end of Schuett Road.

To raise funds for two major bridges needed to complete the trail, an annual "Spring on the Trail" event is held on the second Saturday of May.

The Cottontail Road Trail showcases several types of trails: off-road gravel, grass and paved surfaces, together with on-road gravel, paved and paved shoulder portions. All of these segments come together to connect two major trails in the county: the Kissing Bridge Trailway in Guelph-Eramosa and the Elora Cataract Trailway in Centre Wellington.

The trail can be picked up at 7397 Wellington Road 21, Elora, Centre Wellington, Ontario.

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The Trestle Bridge Trail is a 4 km trail in the Township of Centre Wellington, 2 km of which is owned and operated by the County of Wellington. This trail provides a connection between Fergus and Elora.

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This is a popular and relatively easy walking/hiking, running or biking trail. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash. Users will enjoy the vistas of nearby farmland, suburbs of Elora, the Wellington County Museum and Archives, and numerous Grand River crossings.

Designated parking can be found in Aboyne at 0968 Wellington Road 18, Fergus (please note the drive is unserviced in the winter).

With support through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, the current rehabilitation project includes two bridges on the trail. The construction work on both of the bridges will address structural issues in order to prevent more serious and costly problems in the future and to protect public safety.

A cycling event held in June to support the Guelph General Hospital and local Rotary projects through the Rotary Clubs of Guelph South and Guelph Trillium. Its intent is to build and support community well-being within Guelph-Wellington. www.tourdeguelph.ca 

A music festival held in August that aims to celebrate water, cycling and community in the Upper Grand River. Join for a ride, just the music, or both! www.bikesandblues.eventbrite.ca. 

A cycling event held every October in support of the Grand River Cancer Centre. https://tourdeelora.weebly.com/

Belwood Lake is a 12-kilometre-long reservoir created by the construction of Shand Dam in 1942. It offers excellent boating, fishing and water skiing. A spring-fed quarry with a sandy beach is a great place to swim. Visitors can walk across the dam and view the reservoir waters as well as enjoy a vista of the Grand River valley far below.

Location: 8282 Wellington Road 18, Fergus
Season: Open year round, with full service from May 1 to October 15. Closed December 25/26.  

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Conestogo Lake Park is located in the heart of Mennonite Country. It offers visitors the chance to camp, boat, sail, water ski, canoe and fish on a y-shaped reservoir that stretches six kilometres up each arm. The reservoir is created by Conestogo Dam, which has a viewing area providing a unique vista of the river and surrounding forests and farms.

Location: 6580 Wellington Road 11, RR 2, Wallenstein
Season: Open daily from May 1 to October 15 for day use and camping.

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The Elora Gorge is one of the most beautiful and spectacular natural areas in the Grand River valley. The Grand River rushes past 22-metre high cliffs. Riverside trails (with safety barriers) and scenic overlooks provide hikers with stunning views of the water far below where kayakers and tubers make their way through the rapids.

Location: 7400 Wellington Road 21, Elora
Season: Open daily from May 1 to October 15 for day use and camping.

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The Elora Quarry is literally the centre of attention. This 0.8 ha (two acre) limestone quarry is encircled by sheer cliffs up to 12 metres (40 feet) high. The tree-covered park has places to picnic and enjoying nature. Note that alcohol and dogs are not allowed at this park.

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This large conservation area (1,600 hectares) surrounds a reservoir that was created with the construction of Guelph Dam, completed in 1976. The conservation area has two beaches, picnic areas, great fishing and plenty of space for sailing, canoeing and kayaking. Guelph Lake is the home of the famous Hillside Festival in July which centres on the Island Stage, which is available for concerts, theatre performances, weddings and other events.

Location: 7743 Conservation Road, Guelph
Season: Open year round, with camping from May 1 to October 15. 

The Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area is a biological treasure in the headwaters area of the Grand River watershed. The 5,900-hectare property centres on the 1,400-hectare Luther Lake, created by Luther Dam, built in 1954. Surrounding it are wetlands, fields and forests providing habitat to a wide variety of birds, animals, plants and trees. It is one of the best bird-watching spots in Ontario. It is also a popular spot with hikers and hunters.

Luther Marsh is jointly owned and managed by the GRCA and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Location: 034588 Sideroad 21-22, Grand Valley
Season: Open year round

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Towering limestone cliffs, caves and glacial potholes, including one of the world's largest, are a few of the natural wonders at Rockwood. You can view them from hiking trails on both sides of the Eramosa River or in a rented canoe. The area's unique setting makes it a popular location for television shows, movies and photography shoots. 

Location: 161 Fall Street South, Rockwood
Season: Open year round, with camping from May 1 to October 15. Services are limited from October 16 to April 30. Closed December 24, 25 and 26. 

Grand River Outfitting and Fly Shop 
A unique, educational and enjoyable full-service fly-fishing centre within reach of everyone.
Location: 105 Queen Street West - Unit 6, Fergus

Calmwaters Fly Fishing
A full service guiding company offering Walk and Wade, Stillwater, Learn to Fly Fish Clinics and Drift Boat fishing trips.
Location: 1937 McClintock Drive, Cambridge

Grand River Troutfitters
Ontario's answer to Fly-fishing Education and Tight-line Guiding. Book a private or small group lesson, a team building event, learn fly-tying and more.
Location: Fergus

Elora Raft Rides
Experience Elora and the Gorge in a bareboat - hire a captain yourself, enjoy shared rides with pilots, or organize custom cruises with specialized entertainment.
Location: 38 West Mill Street, The Boardwalk, Elora

Conestoga Sailing Club
Welcome to the Conestoga Sailing Club (CSC). We are a group of people, from all walks of life, with one thing in common — a love of sailing! Situated on Conestoga Lake, 30 km north-west of Kitchener-Waterloo, CSC provides everything you need to start or continue sailing.
Location: 256 King Street North, Waterloo

There is perhaps no better way to experience the beauty of the Elora Gorge than by floating down it on a river tube. From being swept away by the numerous rapids to lazily peering up at the towering cliffs this is a journey not to be missed. When you've finished your float you can walk back to the start again and again.

Elora Rapids
Location: 29 David Street West, Elora

GCRA Elora Gorge
Location: 7400 Wellington Road 21, Elora

Boat safely and responsibly by following these tips:

• Ensure everyone onboard is wearing a properly fitted lifejacket.
• Obey all boating rules.
• Follow Boating Safety Regulations outline by the Government of Canada Office of Boating Safety.
• Ensure drivers are properly licensed and carrying the boat license at all times.
• Ensure you have the required equipment like oars, bailer, and whistle.
• Slow down - Be cautious of swimmers and other boaters.
• Always have a spotter onboard for swimmers and water-skiers.
• Avoid drugs and alcohol.
• Stay alert.
• Plan your activity and share that information with a friend or family before you begin.
• Leave the water if thunder or lightning is approaching.
• Stay away from dams because of strong undertows and extreme currents. 

Below is a list of equipment needed on your boat. For specifics based on boat type and length, reference the Canadian Safe Boating Council. 

Mandatory

• Properly fitted and Transport Canada Approved Lifejacket or PFD in good condition for each person on board.
• Buoyant heaving line and / or lifebuoy with rope (At least 15 m in length for boats under 24 m).
• A reboarding device like a ladder (If boat is greater than 0.5 m)
• Sound signaling device such as a whistle.

Mandatory (based on Boat Type / Length / Power / Conditions)

• Radar reflector
• Navigation lights
• Magnetic compass
• Current navigational charts
• Paddles / Oars
• Fire extinguisher(s) of mandated type and size
• Axe
• Manual pump / Bailing bucket
• Anchor - with minimum rope length based on boat size.
• Visual signaling device (eg. flashlight / flares)

Highly Recommended

• Marine radio, cell Phone and GPS
• First-aid kit
• Basic tools and spare parts for boat

• Always wear a life jacket if you are at all unsure of your swimming capabilities.
• Take it slow entering the water – avoid dangers of unknown, deep, or cold waters.
• Swim in designated areas within the buoy line, marked beaches, or pools
• Never swim alone.
• Leave the water if thunder or lightning is approaching.
• Wear water-shoes in case of glass or debris on the bottom.
• Visit the Canadian Red Cross website for swimming and water safety tips and resources.

• Water in Ontario is colder than you think, most drownings occur in water less than 20 degrees Celsius.
• Cold water causes shock to your body, you can only survive a few minutes in cold water.
• Stay off all frozen bodies of water. Even if it appears safe, the ice may not be thick enough to support you.
• Ice near dams can be very unstable due to the ever-changing current under the ice.
• Riverbanks in the winter and spring are extremely icy and slippery and can be hard to see where the land stops and the ice begins.
• Visit the Lifesaving Society website for more information on understanding cold water. 

• No more than 20 km/h on roads with a posted limit of 50 km/h or less.
• No more than 50 km/h on roads with a posted limit greater than 50 km/h.

• Must be registered and display a license plate (except in exempt areas like far northern Ontario).
• Must be insured under a motor vehicle liability policy.
• Driver must carry the registration permit or a copy.
• To cross a highway, the ATV/ORV must be registered and insured, and the driver must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid G2 licence or higher.

• Must hold at least a G2 or M2 licence.
• Must travel below the posted speed limit.
• Must be registered and display a license plate (except in exempt areas like far northern Ontario).
• Must be insured under a motor vehicle liability policy.
• Helmet (fastened) is required for both driver and passenger.
• Must use lights while riding on roads.
• Travel in the same direction as traffic on the shoulder. If the shoulder is unsafe or too narrow, riding on the traveled portion of the road is permitted.
• No passengers under 8 years old.

• 16 years old for on-road riding.
• 12 years old for off-road riding.
• 8 years old minimum for passengers on-road riding.

• Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Off-Road Vehicle Rules
• Ontario Off-Road Vehicles Act
• Highway Traffic Act

County of Wellington

• County of Wellington - Off Road Vehicles on County Roads By-law #5748-22

Member Municipalities 

Municipal by-laws vary across various member municipalities throughout Wellington County. Please check the appropriate by-law for the area you plan to ride in:

• Town of Erin - Off-Road Vehicles By-Law #21-52
• Town of Minto - Off-Road Vehicles By-Law #2021-31
• Township of Guelph/Eramosa - Off-Road Vehicles By-Law #30/2021
• Township of Mapleton - Off-Road Vehicle By-Law #2018-045

The following municipalities do not currently have a by-law specifically governing the operation of off-road vehicles. However, other by-laws, such as those related to noise and nuisance, may still apply. Please review local by-laws:

• Township of Centre Wellington - By-Laws
• Township of Puslinch - By-Laws
• Township of Wellington North - By-Laws