Take the "End-to-End Challenge"!
Have an enjoyable and healthy goal this year: aim to see the entire Waterfront
Trail! Remember, you don't have to do it all in one outing. While some
people will complete it in a couple of weeks, others will stretch it out
over one summer or two (or more!) to ensure they see all the Trail has
to offer.
Be
one of the year's first "End to Enders", and win.
Each year, the first 50 people who complete the 700 km of designated
Waterfront Trail (from Niagara-on-the-Lake to the Quebec Border), and
write to tell us about their journey, receive:
- An End-to-End certificate of accomplishment
- An End-to-End pin
Suggested itineraries.
For suggested itineraries for completing the Trail, click
here
Real "End-to-Enders" talk about the
Trail:
Marlis and Martin Butcher of Mississauga, July 2011
We'd like to thank-you for the Waterfront Trail! What a great idea, beautiful views, and wonderful way of getting to know a large part of our province.
We have mountain bikes/hybreds, so we don't do more than about 17km/h. We started cycling from Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL) on May 23, 2010. With no experience on distance cycling, we didn't know how far we could go in a day. It didn't help that we stopped after 1/2km at a pub for lunch in NOTL, and about a kilometer further we stopped again for a wine tasting, and then another. We found we could comfortably do about 50km/day - with lots of time for picnics, participate in local festivals (eg. Bulington Jazz Festival, Toronto Caribbana, Kingston Jazz Festival, Tastings on Prince Edward County, etc), and stop to enjoy the scenery!
So, in 17 days, over a one year period, we cycled the entire Waterfront Trail: 681km, plus an extra 50 getting to/from drop off points. This was a great adventure! We've attached our log book.
We are now confident enough with cycling that we will be doing a self-guided tour of Burgandy, France, in September! Cycling and wine: what could be better?!
Andreas Kloppenborg, biked with friends over several years 2011
I've been riding the Waterfront Trail since the age of 8. I consider it a huge part of my early years, and I still take advantage of it almost every day on rides around Toronto.
The Waterfront Trail is more than a bike path. It contains hidden gems and warm surprises with every kilometer. The vineyards of Niagara, the vibrant boulevard of Toronto, the quaint townships of Quinte, the historic Kingston area, and Franco-Ontario are all connected by one unique and memorable bike route. The best way to discover Ontario is at 20km/hour along the Waterfront Trail.
Heather Miller - biked the trail over 2 summers
"People were amazed when I told them I was riding to Montreal
- they had visions of me taking the 401. I had toured before so I knew
to expect the smells and to see things that you miss in a car. I enjoyed
the Prince Edward County area so much that I went back with my boyfriend
and rode that part of the trail again along with other Prince Edward County
roads."
Karen Napady - walked the Trail in 9 walks of 105 kms; followed
by 21 walks 4 years later
"It was extrememly interesting passing through the communities
along the Waterfront, instead of whizzing by along the Highway. I found
the history, geography and wildlife most interesting. My favourite spots
were Sioux Lookout Park to Fishermans' Wharf Park (Oakville) to Gairlock
Gardens, Port Darlington
Port Hope, Woods Cemetary at the corner
of HWY 2 and Union between Salem and Brighton, Jordan Valley. I will always
be proud to say that I completed the Waterfront Trail!"
Kathlene Willing - biked the Trail over two summers
"Looking for adventure and challenge, I found it. My adventure
was journeying into the unknown and the challenge was reading the map
and finding the signs at critical turns."
Read more about Kathlene’s adventures: Part
1 | Part 2 | Part
3
The Crazy Eights -walked the Trail in a series of four day trips
"We call ourselves 'the Crazy Eights-- our average age is 77.
We plan four consecutive hiking days in the spring when we sally fourth
with daypacks, sturdy boots, etc
and no cars
use trains and
buses 'to get there'."
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