Walk, run, hike, or cycle trails in the Kawarthas this Saturday

The region we live, work, and play in is rich with opportunities for outdoor recreation and alternative transportation routes.

This Saturday, June 4th is International Trails Day, and communities throughout the region are encouraging residents to walk, run, hike, and cycle the well-developed trail systems that Peterborough City and County have to offer.

International Trails Day recognizes that trails connect communities and celebrates the healthy lifestyle they encourage. Trails not only offer endless opportunities for recreation and exercise in nature, they also provide urban routes for those who want to limit their use of motor vehicles but who may not feel fully comfortable cycling on the roads.

International Trails Day will be celebrated this spring as the May Shifting Gears challenge comes to a close.

The Shifting Gears Challenge encourages workplaces, schools, and community members of the Peterborough area to swap their vehicles for alternative modes of transportation throughout the month of May.

With this challenge winding down, Trails Day offers the opportunity to consider how we can continue to make sustainable choices and incorporate the use of trails into our daily commute or leisure activities.

Within the city, there are a variety of trail systems to use, which are well documented on the City of Peterborough’s Trails and Bikeways Map. The Parkway Trail, the Rotary Greenway Trail, the Willowcreek Trail, and the Crawford Rail Trail offer paved routes throughout the city.

The Trans Canada Trail also runs through the city and beyond, offering a rural route westward towards Lindsay and Omemee, and eastward towards Hastings. Users will pass right through GreenUP’s Ecology Park while traversing the urban section of the trail.

A new development within the last year, and important to recognize this Trails Day, is the extension of the Trans Canada Trail.

Previously ending at Lansdowne and Ashburnham, another 1.8kms of trail was added to the route last year. On November 10, 2015 this final section was officially opened, offering a mostly paved trail extending from Lansdowne Street south of Technology Drive to the Old Keene Road.

Rural trails composed of smooth crushed limestone are well maintained and offer routes that extend beyond the city’s borders.

The section of the Trans Canada Trail that runs through the Peterborough area connects around 15 communities. It is 120 kilometres in length, extending from Campbellford to Manilla, and developing portions of the trail in this area is part of a larger plan to have a continuous cross-country trail.

The anticipated completion of this 24,000 kilometer trail is expected to be connected in time to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.

Familiarizing ourselves with trail systems helps to re-conceptualize how we can get from point A to point B, shifting our focus away from car-centric transportation. Bike fix-it stands are now installed around the city, and detailed maps — available at the GreenUP store — display the various options for local trail usage, showing residents that trails are reliable, safe, affordable, and self-sustainable transportation options.

This week, there are several events planned in celebration of our local trails. The Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA) is leading the fifth annual International Trails Day Festival with guided trail tours planned between June 1 and June 4. Lace up your running shoes or hop on your bike to check out a new, or your favourite route in the area!

While Royal Gardens is leading a leisurely walk for seniors along the Millennium Trail at 2 p.m. on Thursday, most activities are planned for Saturday, June 4th.

Beginning at 10 a.m., ORCA and the Peterborough Cycling Club are offering trail rides, workshops, and exhibitors at Harold Town Conservation Area. This event promises fun for the entire family.

The Lakefield Trail Committee and Township of Selwyn have also organized a guided hike to discover the sights and sounds of nature. Those interested are asked to meet at the Marshlands Centre in Lakefield at 10 a.m.

Likewise, the County of Peterborough is encouraging visitors to walk or cycle along the scenic River Road Trail with other participants between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

More information about each of these activities and a full list of events can be found on the ORCA website, otonabee.com.

If you’d like to plan your own adventure in celebration of Trails Day, kawarthaNOW has posted detailed information about regional trails at Trails Guide – The Kawarthas.

Frequenting trails encourages us to consider other ways of spending our leisure time, perhaps taking up a new sport or activity that can be enjoyed on these routes. In doing so, you’ll be able to socialize with other trail users, benefit from spending time in nature, and can knock off some time you might otherwise spend inside a gym by instead, getting your exercise outdoors.

For anyone unfamiliar with the trail system, be sure to pick up a Trails Map from the GreenUP Store and Resource Centre so you can begin your adventure through the beautiful trails within Peterborough, and beyond!