There’s a wonderful series of trails in southern St. Catharines in the area of Brock University, making for some scenic, easy trail running around the park-like campus, a quarry, and a lake. Use the Bruce Trail — the 900 km walking/hiking trail in the Niagara area — as the anchor. Begin by exploring the park-like campus of Brock University, which itself is part of a nature preserve. There are some nice trails on at the northern end of campus, including a cross-country course, and connections to the Twelve Trail. Take the Bruce Trail east for 1.5 km to Glenridge Quarry, a recreational facility built on a former landfill. A loop around its trails is ~2 km.
Bruce Trail @ Lake Moodie. CC 2.0: veggiefrog
For a longer run or another option, take the Bruce Trail south of campus to Lake Moodie. It’s a fairly easy trail run around the lake for up to 6 km to Decew Falls. There are several km of additional trails in the area — some easier, others more rugged.
Add-Ons: The Twelve Trail heads north along Twelve Creek for 5 km to downtown St. Catharines. Just west of Lake Moodie, there’s extensive trail running options in Short Hills Provincial Park.
There’s a wonderful series of trails in southern St. Catharines in the area of Brock University, making for some scenic, easy trail running around the park-like campus, a quarry, and a lake. Use the Bruce Trail — the 900 km walking/hiking trail in the Niagara area — as the anchor. Begin by exploring the park-like campus of Brock University, which itself is part of a nature preserve. There are some nice trails on at the northern end of campus, including a cross-country course, and connections to the Twelve Trail. Take the Bruce Trail east for 1.5 km to Glenridge Quarry, a recreational facility built on a former landfill. A loop around its trails is ~2 km.
Bruce Trail @ Lake Moodie. CC 2.0: veggiefrog
For a longer run or another option, take the Bruce Trail south of campus to Lake Moodie. It’s a fairly easy trail run around the lake for up to 6 km to Decew Falls. There are several km of additional trails in the area — some easier, others more rugged.
Add-Ons: The Twelve Trail heads north along Twelve Creek for 5 km to downtown St. Catharines. Just west of Lake Moodie, there’s extensive trail running options in Short Hills Provincial Park.
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Essentials
University to quarry loop is ~5 km; Bruce Trail to Lake Moodie is up to 6 km one-way to Decew Falls
Generally flat in this area
Brock University campus/Bruce Trail is a good anchor
A linear park type trail that runs for 8.5 km along Twelve Mile Creek, downtown St. Catharines, and then Centennial Gardens. The nicest section of this paved/gravel path is the 3.5 km in the Canal Valley, with another 1-2 km possible in Clifford’s Creek Park.
Pleasant gravel trails head south from along Twelve Creek for ~5 km. The Twelve Trail is on the east side, ending at Brock University, and the Participark Trail is on the west side. Loop option using the pedestrian bridge at the halfway point.
Piers, parks, marinas, and Lake Ontario all in one run! In the Port Dalhousie neighborhood, enjoy the Harbour Walkway Trail to Royal Henley Park and Lockhart Point, then the Waterfront Trail around the Marina and along Lake Ontario.
Our favorite area to run in St. Catharines, with several attractive waterfront paths: the Waterfront Trail along Lake Ontario, the Welland Canal Trail, and the George Nicholson Memorial Trail out to MacIntyre Bay. Options to mix & match!
On the east side of the Welland Canal, the George Nicholson Memorial Trail is a scenic, wide dirt path that runs along Port Weller Harbour out to MacIntyre Bay. There are fantastic water views, especially at the tip, where the Welland Canal meets Lake Ontario.
Pretty town on Lake Ontario known for the Shaw summer theater festival, wineries, historic homes and sites. We've designed a 10.7 km 'grand tour', including a 4 km loop of Fort George, flower-filled Queen St., lakeshore, and Historic Old Town.
Paved multi-use path that runs for nearly 20 km along the Niagara River between Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Falls. Highlights include some lovely riverfront sections, Queenston Heights Park, Floral Clock, Niagara Botanical Gardens.
A series of long, flat, open roads between Rt. 55 and the Niagara Parkway passing by wineries and farmland. These roads have relatively little traffic and are a pleasure for running on open terrain. Each of Line 1, Line 2, or Line 3 roads is 4-5 km.
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Essentials
University to quarry loop is ~5 km; Bruce Trail to Lake Moodie is up to 6 km one-way to Decew Falls
Generally flat in this area
Brock University campus/Bruce Trail is a good anchor
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!