The following 3 trail heads comprise a brief listing only of all the places the AvonTrail is accessed along its 130 km length from St. Marys to Conestogo.
Try out the trail; if you like what you find, consider downloading the Avon Trail from ONDAGO without a charge to run on your mobile device. A paper version of the Avon Trail Guide, Edition 9 is available to be purchased online at the Shop.
Both online trail app and paper trail guide show you where you can safely park to hike.
Edition 8.0 of the AvonTrail Guide is no longer available for purchase.
Many trailheads are marked with a small 3-inch diamond sign at the road side.
Once at a trailhead, look for and follow the 2” x 6” white blazes (main Trail) painted on trees or poles, or blue blazes for all of the side trails.
Please respect the Trail Users Code:
• No motorized vehicles or bicycles unless otherwise permitted.
• Hike only along marked routes. Do not take shortcuts.
• Do not climb fences or open gates; use the stiles.
• Respect the privacy of the people living along the trail.
• Leave flowers and plants for others to enjoy. Protect trees and shrubs.
• Never strip off bark.
• Protect and do not disturb wildlife or farm animals. Do not feed them.
• Keep dogs on a leash at all times.
• Leave the trail cleaner than you found it. Carry out all litter.
• No camping or fires are permitted.
• Leave only your footprints. Take only photographs.
1. Periwinkle Loop Trail – Access at km 34.4 (43.2976,-80.9721) on Perth Line 20. A parking area that can accomodate four cars is located on the north side of Line 20. This 3.6 km loop trail passes farmland, pasture and beautiful hillside forest. Follow the blue blazes of the side trail.
2. Forest Road North Side Trail – Access at km 49.8 (43.3668,-80.9721) on Forest Road, Stratford. Park on the shoulder. This 1.4 km out and back trail traverses farmland and light forest. Follow the blue blazes of this side trail..
3. Nith River Trail – Access at km 81.9 (43.4556,-80.7410) on Carmel-koch Road. Park on the north shoulder. Do not block field access. The trail follows the west bank of the beautiful Nith River and then climbs up and down through mature forest offering additional views of the river and farmland vistas to the east. Walk north to km 79.5, the junction with the Berlett’s Side Trail and return to km 81.9. This 4.8 km out and back hike follows the white blazes of the main Avon Trail.