During COVID-19, trails are open for cycling and walk through access only. Review our news release for more details.
In the City of Peterborough, our trails have become one of our most treasured and used City features. You can use them to get from A to B or for recreation. They are free for all to use and open 24-7. A few trails are lit, but most are not. There are wayfinding signs throughout the trail system to help you keep oriented.
Discover our trails by participating in the family-friendly Trails Scavenger Hunt this summer. Printed copies are available at City Hall. The Scavenger Hunt will take you along all of our major trails including the TransCanada Trail, Rotary Greenway Trail and the Parkway Trail.
Cycling and trail maps
The Cycling and Trail map shows trails and cycling routes in Peterborough and the surrounding area. The Peterborough Cycling Short Routes map details eight lovely routes of 15 to 40 km in length. You can pick up both maps at City Hall, local cycling shops, and from Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism, which has more information about local cycling routes and services.
Maintenance
Call Public Works at 705-745-1386 if you have a concern about maintenance along a trail. We plow paved trails in the winter.
Let us know if you have a suggestion about how we can improve our trails.
Trail Projects
The multi-use trail system is continuously improving and expanding. The following is a list of projects currently in development.
| Crawford Trail |
| The Crawford Trail travels between Crawford Road and Monaghan Road. Work is now underway to extend this trail to Townsend Street, linking with the Bethunescape Project. The extension is being done in phases as budget and logistics permit. In 2019, the section between Romaine Street and Lake Street is being constructed. |
| Peterborough Canal Trail |
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Parks Canada restored the earthen dams along the canal in Peterborough in 2019. To ensure these dams are maintained well, trees are not being replanted on them. Instead, a multi-use trail was built along them. Now, the City and Parks Canada are working together on a concept for the Peterborough Canal Trail that would travel from Lock 19 in the south to Trent University in the north. At Waverley Heights Park, located adjacent to Scollard Drive, Parks Canada has requested a maintenance access trail. A public meeting was held in March 2019 to introduce the concept for the Peterborough Canal Trail and the maintenance access trail. The display boards available at the meeting explain the projects. The public consultation included the public meeting and an on-line survey. The results of the survey are now available and a recommendation for the maintenance access trail through Waverley Heights Park is now going to City Council. |
| Rotary Greenway Trail at Trent University |
| Detailed design work is underway to complete the Rotary Greenway Trail in the vicinity of Trent University. |
| TransCanada Trail at Maria Street |
| Work is underway to design and receive approve from CP Rail to complete the TransCanada Trail at the railway crossing along Maria Street. |
Rules and etiquette
To make walking, cycling, skateboarding and E-biking safe and fun for everyone, we have a by-law that says where you can skateboard, bicycle and E-bike in the City of Peterborough. Permitted uses on multi-use trails are:
- Walking
- Wheelchairs and medical scooters
- Cycling
- Skateboarding
- Running
- In-line skating
- Bicycle-style E-bikes if pedalling only.
We do not permit scooter-style E-bikes on our multi-use trails.
When on the trails, please keep to the right and pass on the left. Warn people walking that you are passing by calling out or using a bike bell. When passing someone, go slowly and give them lots of room, at least 1 metre.
You do not need a permit to use a trail for an event, but no races are permitted and no exclusive use of the trails is available.
Major trails
Our network of trails and bikeways is growing every year as we work towards being more walk and bike friendly.
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TransCanada trail (soon to be known as The Great trail) |
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Amenities
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Rotary Greenway trail |
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Amenities
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Parkway trail |
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Crawford trail |
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