Great Lakes to Greenbelt–Lake Ontario Watershed Cycling Network
GARDEN CITY GLIDE–ST CATHARINES
30 km
Get ready to experience some of the beauty that earned the nickname “the Garden City” on this fully-signed 30km taste of St. Catharines using the Welland Canal Trail, Greenbelt Route, Merritt Trail and Great Lakes Waterfront Trail.
Starting at the beachfront in Port Weller, you’ll follow the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail along and near the shore Lake Ontario to Port Dalhousie with its famous beach and historic carousel. From there, meander along the banks of Twelve Mile Creek on the Merritt Trail into the heart of St Catharines near the unique, single-arched Burgoyne Bridge. Stop in downtown St. Catharines for a well-deserved snack before rolling out along Queenston St past the Carillon Bell Tower in Victoria Lawn Cemetery to the Welland Canal, where you’ll join the Welland Canal Trail and follow the Welland Canal for a 5k downhill cruise where you’ll finish your ride and all’s Weller that ends Weller–yes we did and we can!
Terrain: Some hills. Remember Lake Ontario is lower than Lake Erie, so travelling towards Lake Ontario is downhill.
Surface: Combination of paths and roads. Some sections of the Merritt Trail have a crushed gravel surface. All other sections of the route make use of paved roads and multi-use paths. Suitable for road bikes.
Level: Know the rules of the road and comfortable sharing space with vehicles. Most of the trip follows paths with the exception of the section through Downtown St. Catharines.
Family-friendly: In an out trips on the Merritt Trail and Welland Canal Trail are off-road paved paths suitable for families.
Maps: Download RidewithGPS Map and Cue Sheet. The interactive map and detailed cue sheets include a picture of signs you’ll follow.
Share your trips with the #greenbeltroute and #waterfronttrail hashtags.
About the Greenbelt
At 2 million acres, it’s the world’s largest permanently protected greenbelt. The Greenbelt preserves diverse and scenic landscapes such as the Oak Ridges Moraine and the Niagara Escarpment, keeping our farmlands, forests and wetlands safe and secure. The Greenbelt Foundation, who spearheaded the creation of the Greenbelt Route, works to help keep farmers successful, strengthen local economies, protect natural features, and promote sustainable growth.
Learn more at greenbelt.ca
Great Lakes to Greenbelt Lake Ontario Watershed Network
Stretching over 3600 km, the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail connects 155 communities and First Nations along the Canadian shores of the Great Lakes region. The signed, 475 km Greenbelt Route spans seven regions, nearly two million acres of protected Greenbelt lands, from Northumberland to Niagara.
With support from the Greenbelt Foundation, the Waterfront Regeneration Trust is leading work to develop a Lake Ontario Watershed network of signed routes that link the two extraordinary trails to protect, connect and celebrate Lake Ontario’s watershed.