Having long heard about the Hydrocut Trails located in the western end of Kitchener, it wasn’t until recently that I got the chance to load up my mountain bike and head to this acclaimed trail system, renowned in the mountain bike community. The 35km of trails, that are diverse and appealing to a wide variety of riders, are certainly worth the trip, whether coming from near or far – for any time out on this spectacular trail system.
With trails straddling three distinct but connected forest tracts, there are two trailhead parking areas at either end. Surveying the detailed online trail map, I choose to start from the further west lying one, Snyders. Arriving at the parking lot mid-day Sunday, it was great to see a gathering of mountain bike enthusiasts loading or unloading and chatting about their ride experiences, exuding a welcoming atmosphere. Having pre-empted the necessity, (we had stopped at a local coffee shop), I was pleased to spot a portable WC onsite, if needed.
About the Trails
The trailhead kiosk displayed a large trail map, making it easy to plot an approximate route. Indeed a number of these kiosks were found throughout the trail system for easy reference mid ride. Lucky for me I was riding with a local, who also happened to be a member of the trails committee that coordinates the Hydrocut trail system – hence, with my skill level assessed, we easily found trails that fit my ride experience, with all trails signed and marked as intermediate to advanced to expert, and double black diamond, with ride direction marked at each entry.
With an early build focus on easier cross country trails with limited built features, the Hydrocut has morphed into having a full slate of offerings that include jumps, drops, and berms with banked rolling flow trails that on downhill elevations ramp up the speed. Via the intermediate/blue trails that included Dagmar’s Express and Creepy Corner, we took Bootleg up and down to the Hydro Corridor. This mid-section is where the majority of new trails have recently been built, including ample expert runs and bike park style features. Of note – the unique Da Vinci Bridge, with its sizeable wood span of 12 metres, making the Flow Thru trail possible, was just completed this past spring thanks to many local partnerships, material donations and volunteer hours. Nearby, and also marked as advanced/expert is the Wall Ride feature located on the Captain Crunch trail with its smooth curve allowing riders to carry speed on this twisting trail.
Breaking out into clearings, there were a number of pullover and gathering spots where we had a chance to catch our breath, figure out what trails to ride next, and at several points view the namesake hydro towers. Most of the trails are forested single track, with roots and rocks to traverse at various elevations, manageable but also making me want for a more advanced skill set. The smoother dirt packed trails, being more my speed, had many marked off-shoots to please the more advanced riders. Handily, there can be no mistaken entry to a black diamond run, as at the entry is what is called a filter, an advanced feature that helps riders assess their skills before proceeding, and prevents unintentional riders from accidentally going down a trail above their skill level.
Support the Trails
On the trail and in the parking lot we met as many local riders as those that had made the trip to ride the trails from London, Guelph and Oshawa. The overwhelming consensus was a great love for the Hydrocut trails and recognition that they were by far the best in the area and well worth the journey. The pride shared from locals, many who ride frequently in the area, was evident. Indeed the whole trail system is supported and was built over the past 20 plus years by the volunteer run Trails Committee, an off-shoot of the Waterloo Cycling Club. With countless volunteer hours, and established trail days for building and maintenance, the committee manages the operations of the trails in collaboration with the Region of Waterloo. Trails and trailhead access are free, thanks to funding from sponsors and donations. An easy way to show your appreciation is by making a $25 or more annual donation to the Friends of the Hydrocut to receive a tag which can be attached to your seat post, or elsewhere, recognizing your donation as a trail supporter.
More than Trails
Because the trails are so close to the urban centres of Kitchener and Waterloo there are plenty of choice stops to make post ride and gather with friends. The Graffiti Market, a mere 6km from the Glasgow entrance, can easily be navigated to by using the impressive number of bike lanes that criss-cross the city. Located in a vast building, once a storage warehouse for local tire manufacturers and now a booming tech hub, there is ample parking for vehicles as well as bike racks, plus a colourful patio and vast interior. Adjacent to the Iron Horse Trail, bisecting the twin cities of KW (Kitchener-Waterloo), you might want a ride after a filling up on their delicious Detroit style deep dish pizza, beers by local Stockyards Brewing, and assortment of non-alcoholic juices and mocktails, plus other tasty eats.
On the hunt for the elusive Hydrocut branded beer, we stopped at nearby Together We’re Bitter, a smaller brewery location with lots of patio and bike space, revealing that this easy drinking IPA series is only available in June each year. With a portion of proceeds going back to support the trails, they can only be found for a short time onsite at the brewery or at local farmers markets, including St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market. Both breweries are certified as bicycle friendly locations, by Ontario By Bike.
With an extensive trail system, enough to keep all levels amused and challenged, a ride weekend or visit of several days to the Hydrocut is definitely warranted. If I lived closer, I would certainly look into the King Street Cycles ladies nights or Wednesday rides and other events that make the trails accessible to all. In fact a return is already on my radar, with the spooky and fun sounding (and fast approaching) Hydrocut Halloween Party, Friday night – October 25, from the Glasgow lot.
Additional Information
- The Hydrocut Trails – Map and informative website – www.thehydrocut.ca
- Ribbon of Dirt – The Story of the Hydrocut 4K – A 45 minute mountain bike documentary
- Mountain biking trail etiquette – Helpful tips to review HERE, or elsewhere online, if you are new to mountain biking
- Region of Waterloo – Bike Map
- City of Kitchener – Bike Map
- City of Waterloo – Cycling Map
- Cycling Guide App – Cycling-centric maps and routes to explore the region by bike
- Explore Waterloo Region – Visitor Information
- Waterloo Region – Great Places to Cycle – Ontario By Bike – Find cycling routes and trails and bicycle friendly places to visit, eat, and sleep
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Sponsored Content Partner: Explore Waterloo Region
Article by Ontario By Bike. Photo credits: 1, 3, 8 – Explore Waterloo Region; 2, 4-7 – Ontario By Bike
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