Guelph Trail Master Plan update

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Consultation has concluded

coloured bubbles with white line images of trail activities

Your trails. Your voice.

We’re updating the Guelph Trail Master Plan (GTMP), a strategic document that guides how we plan, design, fund, build and maintain Guelph’s trail system.

A new and improved GTMP means we can innovate trail design guidelines, revise routes, create new trail facilities and promote trail use in our community – all with your help in prioritizing our trail needs.

This master plan update supports the City’s Strategic Plan as we continue to build strong, vibrant, safe and healthy communities that foster resilience in the people who live here.

As Guelph grows, we are also committed to planning and designing an increasingly sustainable city.


What we've heard in Round three of our engagement has now been posted.

Check out these documents to stay up to date with what we have learned through our consultations.


The Guelph Trail Master Plan was approved by Council on June 28, 2021.

Guelph City Council has approved the updated Guelph Trail Master Plan (GTMP) following community support at the Committee of the Whole meeting on June 7. Read the full news release for more details.

About the GTMP

Guelph Trail Master Plan (GTMP) is a strategic document that guides how we plan, design, fund, build and maintain Guelph’s trail system.

A new and improved GTMP means we can innovate trail design guidelines, revise routes, create new trail facilities and promote trail use in our community – Thank you to everyone to participated in this process.


Your trails. Your voice.

We’re updating the Guelph Trail Master Plan (GTMP), a strategic document that guides how we plan, design, fund, build and maintain Guelph’s trail system.

A new and improved GTMP means we can innovate trail design guidelines, revise routes, create new trail facilities and promote trail use in our community – all with your help in prioritizing our trail needs.

This master plan update supports the City’s Strategic Plan as we continue to build strong, vibrant, safe and healthy communities that foster resilience in the people who live here.

As Guelph grows, we are also committed to planning and designing an increasingly sustainable city.


What we've heard in Round three of our engagement has now been posted.

Check out these documents to stay up to date with what we have learned through our consultations.


The Guelph Trail Master Plan was approved by Council on June 28, 2021.

Guelph City Council has approved the updated Guelph Trail Master Plan (GTMP) following community support at the Committee of the Whole meeting on June 7. Read the full news release for more details.

About the GTMP

Guelph Trail Master Plan (GTMP) is a strategic document that guides how we plan, design, fund, build and maintain Guelph’s trail system.

A new and improved GTMP means we can innovate trail design guidelines, revise routes, create new trail facilities and promote trail use in our community – Thank you to everyone to participated in this process.


Trail use in the time of COVID-19

We know that COVID-19 has had a major impact on our lives and typical patterns. Have you been using trails differently in the last several months? Tell us your story.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
  • Share Guelph Lake: A beautiful isolated elitist paradise at our doorstep on Facebook Share Guelph Lake: A beautiful isolated elitist paradise at our doorstep on Twitter Share Guelph Lake: A beautiful isolated elitist paradise at our doorstep on Linkedin Email Guelph Lake: A beautiful isolated elitist paradise at our doorstep link

    Guelph Lake: A beautiful isolated elitist paradise at our doorstep

    by rmcaleer, over 3 years ago
    Just a few background facts.
    1. It now costs $15 for two people to visit Guelph Lake - just to walk around for a few hours. In the winter it now costs a family of four about $21. For the previous 46 years - walking in the park in the off-season has been free. Annual membership is $140.
    2. There is no access to Guelph Lake conservation area via city trails.
    3. The entire GRCA system is supported by taxpayers (51% of their revenues come from municipal levies). The remaining 49% is from user fees.
    4. The current trail system forces families onto Conservation... Continue reading
  • Share New to Guelph & city trail life on Facebook Share New to Guelph & city trail life on Twitter Share New to Guelph & city trail life on Linkedin Email New to Guelph & city trail life link

    New to Guelph & city trail life

    by alexwilson28, over 3 years ago
    I just moved to Guelph in August and am fairly new to city life in general. I really enjoy being able to walk everywhere and I am going on a lot more walks because of COVID (looking to avoid the bus just to be safe). I would like to see more connectivity between trails and throughout the city so I can get more places on trails. I would also appreciate it if there were some additional lighting on the trails so they can be used after 5 pm in the winter (extending the seasonality of the trail). The lighting should... Continue reading
  • Share GHTC connections on Facebook Share GHTC connections on Twitter Share GHTC connections on Linkedin Email GHTC connections link

    GHTC connections

    by kvhyland, over 3 years ago

    I've been volunteering with the GHTC for more than 10 years. I love helping to maintain trails. I plan to devote more time when I retire next year. I know there are other Guelphites who enjoy this type of volunteering too. This volunteer corps can be a wonderful asset to the City in your master planning and a great way to engage citizens and build community connections. My connection with the GHTC helped ground me through this anxious time. And the G2G trail for biking was a wonderful local outing. OMAFRA's funding so U of Waterloo environmental science students could... Continue reading

  • Share Safe connections are everyting! on Facebook Share Safe connections are everyting! on Twitter Share Safe connections are everyting! on Linkedin Email Safe connections are everyting! link

    Safe connections are everyting!

    by Yvette, over 3 years ago
    I have been riding a bike for years in Guelph, so I don't see the city from new eyes. When I travel down the TCT, I take for granted that I have to cross Eramosa Road unsafely, and that I have to gingerly walk my bike along the Speedvale Bridge in order to continue to the other side.


    It wasn't until my sister visited from London, Ontario, and I decided to take her for a bike ride to a local cafe. When we went to cross the TCT at Eramosa Rd., I could see the fear in her eyes. Ditto... Continue reading

  • Share Have used trails almost daily since March 12 on Facebook Share Have used trails almost daily since March 12 on Twitter Share Have used trails almost daily since March 12 on Linkedin Email Have used trails almost daily since March 12 link

    Have used trails almost daily since March 12

    by Valerie Morrell, over 3 years ago

    I have been using the trails almost daily since March as am not willing to go back into the gym.

    would love to see the Eastview circle around the former landfill completed to avoid Eastview Road hill.

    would love to see the trail behind Auden Road go through the trees and come out on Starwood to be able to cross the road and link with the wooded entry leading to the Laura Bailey Trail

  • Share New Trail Connecting Eramosa River trail on the south side with the Arboretum on Facebook Share New Trail Connecting Eramosa River trail on the south side with the Arboretum on Twitter Share New Trail Connecting Eramosa River trail on the south side with the Arboretum on Linkedin Email New Trail Connecting Eramosa River trail on the south side with the Arboretum link

    New Trail Connecting Eramosa River trail on the south side with the Arboretum

    by Jtrees, over 3 years ago
    I recently hiked on the new trail that was built by the GTHC (Guelph Trails Hiking Club) to connect the Arboretum with the trails along the Eramosa. It was very well constructed with great steps for safety. The GTHC volunteers do an excellent job with building new trails and maintaining existing trails. It would be beneficial to the city to maintain a good working relationship with this hiking club. Membership in this club is very reasonable and it helps support the great work they do.
  • Share stroller walks on Facebook Share stroller walks on Twitter Share stroller walks on Linkedin Email stroller walks link

    stroller walks

    by Emjoy1990, over 3 years ago
    The trails have been a huge help with mental health for me on Mat leave during a pandemic. Please keep strollers in mind while finishing planning, keeping trails out of parking lots (eg. exhibition park). More garbage bins and benches would be nice too. I often found my self whishing there was a spot I could stop and nurse.
  • Share Please respect wildlife on Facebook Share Please respect wildlife on Twitter Share Please respect wildlife on Linkedin Email Please respect wildlife link

    Please respect wildlife

    by Patricia, over 3 years ago
    Why is it that Guelph can barge into the living spaces of animals that use the waterfront and woodland to live, raise families, and otherwise try to make a go of it.


    Bikes and the supporting bike trails are nice....but wildlife deserves to be protected. We already have enough intrusion into their spaces.

    I use the trail on the WEST side of the Speed River and it is nice to know that the EAST side is for the most part left alone.

    Now, of course you must know that I already realise that our elected officials and city staff don't... Continue reading

  • Share Speedvale Underpass on Facebook Share Speedvale Underpass on Twitter Share Speedvale Underpass on Linkedin Email Speedvale Underpass link

    Speedvale Underpass

    by TedBangay, over 3 years ago
    The crosswalk on Speedvale at the fire station is very dangerous. I keep count of the number of drivers who run the red light there and it's about 20% of the time I'm there. I've seen many close calls there. It's also not aligned with the trail that approaches the road from the south. Please build the Speedvale underpass when the bridge is replaced.
  • Share Worst site I have even been on for user-unfriendliness! (Plus my input as a cyclist) on Facebook Share Worst site I have even been on for user-unfriendliness! (Plus my input as a cyclist) on Twitter Share Worst site I have even been on for user-unfriendliness! (Plus my input as a cyclist) on Linkedin Email Worst site I have even been on for user-unfriendliness! (Plus my input as a cyclist) link

    Worst site I have even been on for user-unfriendliness! (Plus my input as a cyclist)

    by mlaidlaw, over 3 years ago
    1. When registering, I typed in my postal code, but because I did not then highlight your version of my postal code, when I pressed the register tab, I was told there was no postal code, so I went back to redo that, and, of course, had to redo a password. Next, I had to log on to my email account to verify my registration. Really? This is not the site for the nuclear codes, it is a community input site, so no need for high security.


    2. When I moved to the discussion section, every time I clicked on... Continue reading