The Kitchener area is full of beautiful places to explore with your four-legged friend. With an array of lush forests, wood chip trails and picnic-friendly spots, Kitchener is the perfect place to kick back and relax with your pet.
Take a look at our picks of the best dog-friendly hikes in the Kitchener area, to keep you and your pet occupied.
1. Bechtel Park Trail
Located north of the centre of Kitchener
This stunning park trail is a firm favourite with dog parents. It’s a relatively easy track, at just 3.2km, but will give your dog the much needed fresh air that they crave. Located just north of the centre of Kitchener in Bechtel Park, this wood chip trail is short but very beautiful.
It’s a perfect trail for the summer months and into the fall, as the rich forested area will shade you and your dog from the sun. Although the marked walks are on-leash trails, there are off-leash areas that are fenced off so your dog can be free to roam. The perfect summer hike for both dog and dog parent.
2. Iron Horse Trail
Located in south west Kitchener
This trail is full of history, as it traces an old railway line that used to run from Waterloo to Kitchener. The abandoned railway line is nestled right in the city and is located in south west Kitchener, in the Victoria Park area. It’s the perfect city escape for you and your dog.
The trail itself is great for any skill level, and if you’re into running with your dog it’s ideal as there are designated paths for walkers and cyclists. It’s a good length, at 5.5km and is perfect for a hike to remember with your dog.
3. Laurel Creek Conservation Area
Located north west of downtown Kitchener
Just minutes outside of Kitchener and Waterloo, this route is easily accessible for those who want to take a time out from the city and relax in nature with their dog. The conservation area is full of wildlife and birds, as well as three forested trails that feature a river and plenty of picnic areas.
This hike is a great length too, at 4.5km, and will give your dog a much-needed run around without tiring you both out too much. It’s open all year round and has camping, canoeing and kayaking too, so if you want to make a weekend of it you can. If you’re new to camping with your dog, take a look at our top tips on camping with your pet. If you’re not up for camping with your dog, then Rover can always pair you with a wonderful dog sitter to look after your pet whilst you soak up the surroundings.
4. Westside Trails
Located in Waterloo
With over 12km of woodland walks, the Westside Trails are a perfect place to relax and appreciate nature with your dog. The trail features wetlands, rare plants and breeding birds in residence, so this hike is full of beautiful natural wildlife to explore.
It’s an absolute treat for any forest-loving dog, although they will need to be kept on a leash as the trails are protected areas of conservation. If you fancy a real workout, some of the trails feature steep slopes that are ideal if you want to challenge yourself. The Westside Trails sit in Waterloo, and are part of the largest area of woodland in Waterloo.
5. Walter Bean Grand River Trail
Trailhead located east of Kitchener
With years of recreational heritage behind it, the Walter Bean Grand River Trail is the perfect place for a riverside walk with your pet. It has lots of access points and is a popular location for dog walking, cycling, rollerblading and cross-country skiing too!
It’s 78km in total, so you’re probably going to want to take on part of the trail at one time. As it’s such a large trail area, it can be a great route to revisit again and again with your dog. It takes you through Waterloo, Cambridge and Kitchener and has access points across each area. The Walter Bean Trail features beautiful scenery and amazing views of the Grand River – not to be missed!
If you’d love to take your dog on one of these trails, but just can’t find the time at the moment, then why not take a look at Kitchener’s best dog walkers?
Or, if you just need a little dog walking motivation, then why not treat yourself to one of these outrageous dog walking accessories to take your walk to the next level?