MERRITT TRAIL:
GREEN RIBBON TRAIL:
PARTICIPARK TRAIL:
[LAURA SECORD LEGACY TRAIL]
TWELVE TRAIL:
ST. CATHARINES; ONTARIO CANADA
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: March 06, 2024
Length: Merritt Trail; 7.3 miles [Martindale Rd in St Catharines to the Welland Canal in Thorold]; 8.6 miles
Green Ribbon Trail; 0.3 miles
On-road connection between the Green Ribbon Trail & Merritt Trail; 1 mile
Participark Trail; 1.5 miles
Twelve Trail; 2.8 to 3.4 miles
Difficulty: Merritt Trail; Easy. Flat stone-dust trail. Some on-road sections.
Green Ribbon Trail; Easy, Flat, old paved road.
Participark Trail; Easy. Flat stone-dust trail.
Twelve Trail; Moderate. Undeveloped dirt trail. Mt bike recommended.
Directions:
To Start from the Green Ribbon Trail [Southern End]; From I-190 in Lewiston, NY cross the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge into Canada along Route 405. Merge onto Queen Elizabeth Way. Take exit 48 to Route 38 and head left, north. After less then 0.5 miles (750 m) the parking lot will be on your left.
To Start from the Merritt Trail [Northern End]; From I-190 in Lewiston, NY cross the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge into Canada along Route 405. Merge onto Queen Elizabeth Way. Take exit 48 to Route 38 and head right, south. Travel 0.5 miles (800 m) to Erion Rd. The trailhead is on your left. No trail parking, but lots of plaza parking around.
To Start from the Merritt, Participark & Twelve Trails; From I-190 in Lewiston, NY cross the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge into Canada along Route 405. Merge onto Queen Elizabeth Way. Take exit 44 to Route 77 and head left. Travel 0.9 miles and turn left on Route 46. Travel 0.5 miles and turn left on Race St, which becomes McGuire St. Come to St Paul St (Route 81).
To start from the St Paul Street parking lot (Fee) for Merritt Trail [Northern Section]; Turn right and the parking lot is immediately on your right. Travel out the rear of the parking lot to St Paul Crescent and turn right. Follow south to McGuire St. The *Merritt Trail Pedestrian Bridge is across the street.
To start from the Participark Trail parking lot for the Participark & Twelve Trails [Northern End]; Turn left, crossing the bridge over Route 406 and Twelve Mile Creek. Take your first left on Flummerfelt St, then left on St Paul Crescent. Follow north back to Twelve Mile Creek. Turn right into the Participark Trail parking lot.
The short, Green Ribbon Trail, follows old Martindale Road South, through a class one wetland and is dedicated to missing children. Stations found along the path indicate particular aspects of the wetland, such as plants, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. From its Southern End, you can follow a BIKE LANE South to connect to the Northern End of the Merritt Trail.
The Merritt Trail is named in honor of William Hamilton Merritt, the person who originally conceived the idea of the Welland Canal. It follows the path of the old Second Welland Canal, which was a rebuilding of the First Welland Canal, from St. Catharines South to Thorold, where, from the Southern End of the Merritt Trail, you can access the Welland Canal Trail . For more information visit; MERRIT TRAIL & GREEN RIBBON TRAIL .
The Welland Canal is part of the St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes Waterway. The Canal traverses the Niagara Peninsula between Port Weller on Lake Ontario, North to Port Colborne on Lake Erie. The Welland Canal enables ships to ascend and descend the Niagara Escarpment. William Hamilton Merritt originally conceived the idea of the Welland Canal. There have been 4 different routes of the Welland Canal over the years, similar to the Erie Canal, which has had several versions. The First Welland Canal was excavated from 1824–1829 with 40 wooden Locks and opened in 1829. The Second Welland Canal was widened & deepened, with stone Locks and opened in 1845. The Second Welland Canal became more than just a single channel. Locks were built on the Welland River and the Feeder Canal to create a larger inland waterway system. By offering available waterpower and easy transportation to markets the Second Welland Canal also became an industrial corridor from Thorold and St. Catharines. Because of this the Second Welland Canal continued operating long after the Third Welland Canal was built. The Third Welland Canal was designed to follow a straighter & shorter route with 26 Locks and opened in 1887. The Forth Welland Canal, which is the modern route the Canal follows, was enlarged and opened in 1932. It only has 8 Locks. The Second & Third Welland Canals were then closed. The Second Welland Canal infrastructure is the most preserved of the 3 Welland Canals. For more information visit; WELLAND CANAL .
Green Ribbon Trail:
Starting from the Green Ribbon Trail [Southern End]; Map and informational board located here. The Green Ribbon Trail follows old Martindale Rd North from the parking lot. Scenic. The old road travels across Barnsdale Marsh via a green bridge. After only 0.3 miles the trail ends at Old Martindale Rd, which leads to Third Street Louth.
Green Ribbon Trail to Merritt Trail:
Traveling South from the Green Ribbon Trail parking lot; Travel South, following a BIKE LANE along Martindale Rd (Route 38). Come to Erion Rd after 1 mile. The Merritt Trail begins on your left.
Merritt Trail:
Starting from the Merritt Trail off of Martindale Road [Northern End]; I haven't checked out this section. The wide stone-dust Merritt Trail enters the woods traveling South. After 0.5 miles you come alongside the West Bank of Twelve Mile Creek. You then come to Welland Vale Rd after 1.1 miles. Head left across the creek then travel on-road (sidewalk available) along Welland Vale Rd a short distance as the trail turns East. You'll pick up the trail on your right again at 1.3 miles and travel underneath Route 77. Here the trail follows the East Bank of the creek before traveling above Route 406. You briefly utilize Salina St before continuing along the trail. come to an intersection underneath Route 81.
Note; Left, West, takes you up to Yates St.
Continue up to McGuire St and the *Merritt Trail Pedestrian Bridge at 2 miles. I've checked out this section. Travel right, Southeast, across the pedestrian bridge over Route 406 where a ramp takes you down to an intersection.
Note; Straight, Southwest, brings you to the Participark Trail. See Below.
The stone-dust Merritt Trail heads left, Northeast, to another intersection at 2.2 miles.
Note; Right, South, is the start of the Twelve Trail. See Below.
The Merritt Trail continues Northeast, above Route 406 before traveling underneath Route 91 and then bringing you up to Route 91 at 2.5 miles.
Note; To connect to the next section of trail requires a 0.5 mile on-road trek (No shoulder/narrow sidewalk) that is Not recommended for novice bikers.
Head left, East, on-road along Route 91, crossing over Route 406. Turn left, North, on Collier St and follow to Beard Pl. Head right to a dead end where you'll find a yellow gate on your right and the continuation of the stone-dust Merritt Trail at 3 miles. This trail Loops around Centennial Gardens, along both the East & West Banks the old First & Second Welland Canals.
Centennial Gardens was unveiled in 1967 to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Canada. The Merritt Trail passes through the park and provides opportunities to view the Locks and path of the First & Second Welland Canals. At the Southern End of the park, beneath Route 91, are the remains of one of the stone Locks from the Second Welland Canal. Within the park, visitors can view a special Centennial gift to the City, a totem pole.
Enter the woods and come alongside the Merritt Trail; West Bank of the First & Second Welland. Follow the Canal North, past Pedestrian Bridge #1 over the Canal to the Merritt Trail; East Bank. The trail turns West, then South to Route 406, where the Canal is swallowed by the roadway. Now you reverse back alongside the Merritt Trail; East Bank of the Canal, Northeast. This route is more open, passing by a totem pole, and the Oakdale Ave parking lot at 4.3 miles. Trail turns South, past the gardens of Richard Pierpoint Park, to an intersection.
Note; Right, West, leads to Pedestrian Bridge #1 over the Canal, back to the Merritt Trail; West Bank.
Continue left out to Oakdale Ave. Head right, South, along the wide sidewalk and you'll return to Route 91. A cross-light takes you over to Oakland Ave, where the Merritt Trail picks up on your right. Follow the trail down and around a parking lot to an intersection. Head right, North to the Knifeworks Historical Site parking lot at 4.6 miles.
The Merritton area of St. Catharines was an industrial corridor in the 19th century, filled with mills and foundries. In 1870 Collinson and Burch opened a factory to produce knives and other sharp instruments such as sickles, the stone foundations seen on the site today were part of the original buildings. Later purchased by a pair of businessmen, Barnes and Whitman of Akron, Ohio, the factory became Barnes and Whitman Knifeworks in 1880.
From the Knifeworks Historical Site parking lot the Merritt Trail travels South along Both Sides of the old Welland Canal. I would suggest utilizing the Merritt Trail; West Bank , if you are not Looping back, as it is more complete.
Merritt Trail; East Bank:
Heading South along the Merritt Trail; East Bank; [Re-zeroing Mileage] The stone-dust trail follows the old Welland Canal. You quickly pass by some stone foundations of the old mill on your left. After 0.4 miles you come to an old Lock and Pedestrian Bridge #2 and over the Canal if you wish as the trail ends after 0.5 miles on Oakdale Ave. To continue South, you'll need to travel along a BIKE LANE. Pass by the entrance to Clifford's Creek Park and a playground on your left at 0.7 miles before coming to Disher St. Turn right, West and you'll pick up the stone-dust Merritt Trail; East Bank on your left at 0.9 miles. North of Disher St is another old Lock. The trail continues South, bringing you to an old Lock and Pedestrian Bridge #4 over the Canal to the Merritt Trail; West Bank. The trail then turns East out to Oakdale Ave and ends after 1.1 miles.
Merritt Trail; West Bank:
Heading South along the Merritt Trail; West Bank; [Continuing Mileage] Head Northwest from the parking lot where you'll pick up the stone-dust trail next to Westchester Crescent. Here the trail turns South along the West Bank of the old Welland Canal. Come to an old Lock and Pedestrian Bridge #2 over the Canal. Bridge will take you to the Merritt Trail; East Bank. Come to another old Lock and Pedestrian Bridge #3 over the Canal, before coming to another Lock at 5.5 miles, where the trail takes you up to Moffatt St. Head left across Disher St and you'll rejoin the trail on your left. Continue South and you come to another old Lock and Pedestrian Bridge #4 over the Canal. Bridge will take you to the Merritt Trail; East Bank. The trail then takes you back up to Moffatt St. Continue South, on-road, along Moffatt St (residential/sidewalk available) and you'll pass by another old Lock (hidden by a berm and fence) before you pick up the paved trail at the end of a cul-de-sac at 6 miles. You cross over some RR tracks and come to an intersection.
Note; Right leads to Glengarry Park. Parking lot, sport court and playground.
Continue South alongside the Canal, passing by 2 more old Locks before crossing a service road. Here the old Canal is buried. The trail continues alongside this Service Rd, then Mountain St where it's paved. Pass by a plaza on your left, along with a small section of Mt Locks Park. Here you'll find a Johansson Bar, a type of lever Canal workers used on the Second Welland Canal. Come to Glendale St and cross over to Mt Locks Park. See Map Below. The stone-dust Merritt Trail travels past the remnants of Lock 15 at 6.5 miles, then around an open field and East, alongside Bradley St. All the remnants of the old Locks are located in the wooded area along your left. Unfortunately, the trails along the Locks are overgrown and not easily traveled or marked. As of 2023, Locks 17-21 are visible from the trail, behind fencing. Come to Lock 21 where the trail turns out to Bradley St at 7.2 miles. Past here the old Canal is buried. Continue South on-road (low volume) and you'll come to Townline Rd. Head left, East and you'll pick up a gravel trail that brings you past a concrete barrier to Front St at 7.4 miles. Head right along the paved Front Street Path. [I'm not sure if this is officially part of the Merritt Trail but it will bring you to more sections of the old Welland Canal] This path follows Front St south along a commercial corridor. Come to Regent St at 7.8 miles where you lose the paved trail. You continue South on-road (BIKE SHARROWS) along Front St (sidewalk available). Cross Sullivan Ave and head right, West, along the sidewalk. This brings you to the entrance for the Battle of Beaverdams Park on your left at 8.1 miles. A paved trail travels South through the park bringing you past the remnants of the Second Welland Canal. Bandstand and playground located here. The trail then leads out to the Battle of Beaverdams Park parking lot at 8.3 miles. Cross Ormond St (Route 52) and travel on-road (residential) along Portland St. Follow to Chapel St and turn left. This brings you to the Lock 7 Viewing Centre & parking lot after 8.5 miles. Here you also connect to the Welland Canal Trail next to the Welland Canal.
Participark & Twelve Trails:
The Participark Trail follows the West Bank of Twelve Mile Creek and connects to the Merritt Trail at its Northern End. The Participark Trail is a section of the Laura Secord Legacy Trail and is near the original route that Laura Secord took along the West Bank of Twelve Mile Creek in 1813. The trail was renamed by the St. Catharines City Council in 2012 to celebrate the bicentennial anniversary of Laura Secord's walk. The Twelve Trail follows the East Bank of Twelve Mile Creek and connects to the Merritt Trail at its Northern End end as well. More of a hiking/Mt bike trail. For more information visit; Participark Trail .
Starting from the *Merritt Trail Pedestrian Bridge at McGuire Street [Northern End]; Travel Southeast across this pedestrian bridge over Route 406.
Note; This is part of the Merritt Trail which comes in from the West before crossing this pedestrian bridge.
After crossing the bridge, a ramp takes you down to an intersection.
Note; The Merritt Trail heads left, North, passing by the Northern End of the Twelve Trail after 0.3 miles on your right. I haven't checked out this trail.
Continue straight, West, off the ramp, along a hard packed dirt trail to the old St Paul Crescent bridge. Travel South across this bridge over Twelve Mile Creek. This brings you to St Paul Crescent & Renown Rd. The Participark Trail begins on your left after 0.3 miles. Parking lot located here. This was as far as I traveled. The hard packed Participark Trail follows Twelve Mile Creek South along its West Bank on an open wooded corridor. Travel underneath a RR bridge and past a pipe across the creek at 0.8 miles. Pass a Spur Trail on your right at 1.3 miles.
Note; This Spur Trail leads up to Hillview Rd and out to DSBN Academy after 0.4 miles.
Come to old Glendale Rd at 1.8 miles and head left to a pedestrian bridge.
Note; I believe the trail continues South as a narrow single track path. Mt Bike recommended.
If you cross the bridge you'll come to the old Glendale Road parking lot and a Map Board. The Twelve Trail crosses here heading North-South along the East Bank of the creek. You can head left, North, Looping back to the Merritt Trail.
HH
CLICK HERE FOR MT LOCKS PARK MAP
CLICK HERE FOR ST. CATHARINES TRAIL SYSTEMS MAP
CLICK HERE FOR WELLAND CANAL TRAIL MAP
CLICK HERE FOR PARTICIPARK & TWELVE MAP
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT