The best traffic-free bike rides in Preservation Park

Puslinch Tract for hikers can be a choose your own adventure thanks to the Main Doubletrack that extends along the entire park. Main Doubletrack is large enough for bikers to pass hikers with ease, while the single track full of twists and turns require bikers and hikers to be super alert coming around turns. If you would like more of a straight shot, stick to Main Doubletrack, if you want to weave through the forests on other routes, there are plenty to choose from in Puslinch Tract!

Backtract Lake is one of two large lakes in the Puslinch Tract Conservation Area, also known as Twin Ponds. The other lake is Foretract Lake to the west, right beside the official parking area. These calm lakes attract families, kids, dogs and adults int the summer, and with clean water and surrounded by sandy beaches and trees, it's a nice getaway spot just off Highway 401.

Ivey Trail winds through wooded sections and open natural areas of The Arboretum, providing a quiet route that connects with other trails in the network. It follows mostly gentle terrain with a mix of gravel and natural surfaces, making it suitable for a relaxed walk or nature outing. Sponsored by the Richard Ivey Foundation in 1989, it’s a picturesque, wide path that’s an easier alternative for exploring the grounds away from the main Arboretum Road.

Trillium Trail winds through forests, gardens, and plant collections on a gentle loop through the heart of The Arboretum. It is a popular shared route for walkers, runners, and seasonal cross-country skiers, passing through the Maple Collection, World of Trees, and Rotary Tree Grove along the way. With mostly easy terrain and changing seasonal scenery, it's an ideal route for a peaceful, nature-filled outing within the arboretum grounds.

The Arboretum is a large nature and plant conservation area at the University of Guelph, with natural forest, gardens, wetlands, and over 12 kilometres of walking trails. Visitors can explore themed plant collections, open green spaces, and natural habitats that support birdlife and seasonal wildflowers. The mix of easy walking routes and quieter wooded paths makes it a popular place for walking, nature observation, and year-round outdoor recreation.

Just past the dam here, the road ends and there are some very nice views of Guelph Lake. There is a trail that connects down to the beach directly to the north from here, and the path to the south connects to the Guelph Lake Trails.

This is where the Eramosa River flows into the Speed River, and is a prominent river confluence in the heart of Guelph. The meeting of these waterways has been a gathering place for Indigenous peoples for generations, reflecting deep cultural and spiritual connections to the land. Later, the rivers played a key role in shaping the city’s early industry, providing power for some of its first mills and businesses.

When you stand on the bridge, you can look down at the calm water flowing beneath the stone arches. It is one of the oldest and most famous landmarks in the city, and it has a very classic, old-world feel. The view from the bridge is lovely in every season.