Total Distance: 44km
Experience Level: Intermediate/Moderate, due to distance, some hills on route, mix of terrain (40% paved and 60% unpaved trails and roads), some short sections on higher speed country roads. Hybrid, gravel, or road bike recommended.
Route Description: Starting in the vibrant and bicycle friendly village of St. Jacobs, enjoy the beauty, bounty, trails and rivers of Woolwich Township, Mennonite country. Discover one of the last covered bridges in Ontario, the “Kissing Bridge” at West Montrose, and enjoy the fruits of country life in Elmira, Wallenstein and Hawkesville. Riders will enjoy the large section of the route on the Kissing Bridge Trailway, part of the Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail, with a smooth stone-dust surface and beautiful views of working Mennonite farms and rolling countryside. The route leaves St. Jacobs on the historic Mill Race Trail and takes riders onto scenic tree-lined gravel roads along the Conestogo River. Keep your eyes peeled for farms offering farm gate sales as they are plentiful in the area. After joining the Kissing Bridge Trailway at Wallenstein, make sure to turn off the trail and visit a cafe in the town of Elmira. Take a photo at the Kissing Bridge when you leave the trail at West Montrose, and continue back south via scenic rolling paved and gravel roads to St. Jacobs.
Parking: There is free all-day parking in St. Jacobs at the Albert/ Water Street Parking Lot. For overnight and multi-day parking, contact Woolwich Township for permit
