There are many trails in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge that are perfect for walking or biking.

Foresight and hard work in Cambridge have made a group of trails along the Speed River a delightful way to enjoy nature in the city. A Speed River stroll can be as leisurely or as energetic as you choose to make it.

RIVERSIDE PARK TRAIL

Riverside Park in Cambridge has lots of picnic tables, benches, a ball diamond and several soccer fields.

From the parking lot, an asphalt path leads between a chain link fence and the Speed River (wheel chair accessible). Wildflowers run riot in the fenced vacant land, and there are glimpses of the water through the trees.

After walking for 15 minutes or so, you will find a graceful arched bridge over the Speed, leading to a looping boardwalk through a marshy area.

Eventually you will emerge onto an asphalted path that leads you into main part of the park. Take time to smell the flowers and hear the birds.

You may be lucky enough to see an oriole, or watch the barn swallows swoop under the bridge.

Directions:

The park stretches from where the Speed River runs under Highway 401 to King Street in Preston.

The best place to enjoy its wilder side is from the parking lot off Russ Street (turn left at Eagle Street and follow signs at the first street on left).

MILL RUN TRAIL

From the Russ Street parking lot, you can also walk or bike six kilometres along the route of the 1896 Galt, Preston and Hespeler Street Railway.

Volunteers from local service clubs and young people overcame many challenges of construction, completing the trail in 1999.

The Mill Run Trail is very popular with cyclists as it passes through forest, beside the river, over an 80-metre boardwalk, under the 401 highway on a footbridge and over a 65-foot bridge over Ellis Creek.

Its final destination is Hespeler.

Along the way:

Take a break at the City Caf? (Main Street at Chopin -- 50 metres from the bridge over the Speed at King Street). Open 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Wood-fired gourmet pizzas, breads, melts, great desserts and free-trade coffee. This is a sister caf? to the one at Strange Street in Kitchener.

Your dog can refresh himself with the permanent water dish outside on the patio, and you can also pump up the tires on your bike.

LINEAR PARK TRAIL

This trail runs about 3.5 km along Grand River Conservation land beside the Speed River until it meets the Grand River (the confluence) and then continues on the bank of the Grand River.

A level, wide stone dust trail runs with one shoulder on the river banks and the other in a residential area.

At the confluence, one of a series of benches tempts walkers to contemplate the wide river view -- worthy of a Homer Watson landscape.

The scent of wild phlox and milkweed is almost overpowering when both plants are in bloom.

Much of the early history of this productive area is summed up in a series of historical signs.

Directions:

Enter the small parking lot off Chopin Street one block from King Street in Cambridge.

Take the environmental way:

Want to leave a smaller carbon footprint?

Take Grand River Transit bus No. 52 from Fairview Terminal, and get off at the Speed River Bridge.

Follow the Linear Park trail to its end, then go north three blocks to King Street, where you can catch No. 52 again to return.

Your bike fits neatly on the front of the bus.

Vinnie Buchanan of Kitchener has lived in Preston, Galt, Heidelberg and

St. Jacobs, and enjoys local and distance travel.