A pleasant run on a gravel path along the Speed River, as far as Guelph Lake. The gravel path starts at Riverside Park at the intersection of Speedvale Ave./Riverside Dr. It’s a pleasant park, with sandy beach area, an amphitheater, and sports fields.

Riverside Park. Wikimedia. Patty O’Hearn Kickham

Head north on the Speed River Trail/ Royal Recreation Trail on the east side of the river, through the park. At 1.4 km, cross Woodlawn Rd. and continue north through a pine & cedar forest, to Victoria Rd (3.6 km). Here, you can continue for another 1 km to the Guelph Lake Dam. From there, our route adds a scenic section along Guelph Lake, which adds up to 2.8 km. Retrace your steps, with an option to run on the west side of the river south of Woodlawn Rd.

Add-Ons:  At Guelph Lake, there are 10 km of mainly wooded hiking trails that are good for trail running. From Riverside Park, the Downtown Trail goes south of Speedvale Ave. for nearly 2 km.