Architectural splendor dating back to the 1800s, campgrounds, nature trails, park attractions, festivals and a top-rated marina. The highlight of Cobourg’s waterfront is a spectacular Victoria Beach, an expanse of natural white sand, part of 9 hectares of beautiful parkland. The park has more than a century old trees, a children’s play area and a band shell with weekly band concerts. The trail is a very short walk away from Cobourg’s heritage main street with its many fabulous restaurants and shops.
Trail Attributes
- Asphalt, usually on residential roads, some off-road sections
- Highway 2 has paved shoulders
- A new section of cycling/walking boardwalk runs from the foot of Hibernia St in the east to Ontario St. in the west. There is a short break of 45 m in the boardwalk on land belonging to a private landowner. However, Trail users can get around this gap by taking Bagot to Sydenham to Durham
- Cyclists must dismount when on the Victoria Park boardwalk.
Margaret Bain has published a 32-page guide illustrating and describing Cobourg Harbour’s wonderful natural heritage.
Cobourg Harbour, its Headland, its Ecology Garden, and its West Beach form one of the Town’s finest assets—a restful and restorative place to walk in beautiful surroundings, enjoying the constantly changing lake and the wide sky.
But this well-loved spot also hosts exceptionally rich and diverse wildlife–the hundreds of birds, insects, and plants that live or visit here through the year. This booklet illustrates some of the surprises and delights to be found through the each of the four seasons. From the first bright wood-warblers racing north in spring, through the butterflies of summer and the scarlet leaves of fall to winter’s diving ducks and white-winged gulls from the Arctic, your should find much to search for and savour in these pages. It is available from Margaret Bain: 905-373-1202 or mjcbain@sympatico.ca
Links to Local Maps
Cycle Routes Northumberland Tourism (PDF) — Five cycle loops, plus a map of forest, provincial, and national trails.
Cycle Routes and Trails (PDFs)
Outdoor Adventure Guide Northumberland Tourism (PDF) — The Outdoor Adventure Map covers geocaching, birding, fishing, hiking and water trails, looped cycling routes, and boating.
Visitor’s Guides Northumberland Tourism (PDFs and EPubs)
Connections
Local Walking Trails along Cobourg Creek
Rice Lake Ramble — 87km looped cycling route.
Shelter Valley Road — 51km looped cycling route.
The Greenbelt Route — 475 km cycling route from Northumberland to Niagara. Explore the Greenbelt.
Highland Hustle Itinerary —Do the hustle on this 196km multi-day loop connecting Cobourg to Port Hope and Whitby via the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and Greenbelt Route and part of the Lake Ontario Watershed Network.
Community Links
Staging Areas
- Peace Park (Forth St. Park)- Foot of Forth Street
- Victoria Park – Foot of Division St., south of King St. East
Helpful Links
Ganaraska Conservation Authority
Victoria Beach — One of Canada’s best, and most popular beaches. An expanse of sandy shore, great food kiosks and camping nearby.
Swim Guide — Beach water quality test results.
Ontario By Bike — Cycle Friendly Businesses and Trip Ideas
Protecting. Connecting. Celebrating. The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
The Waterfront Regeneration Trust is a registered charity. Charitable Registration Number: 86767 9821 RR0001
