wellness
Central Parks Authority Updates 12 Walking Trails With New Distance and Difficulty Ratings
Central Parks Authority updated its trail ratings this month to guide residents through routes measured by exact distances and terrain challenges.
How we reported this
Central Parks Authority published new ratings on July 1 for five local walking trails, assigning each a distance in kilometres and a difficulty score from one to five based on elevation gain and surface type.
Active wellness programs in Central have drawn more residents outdoors this summer after the June network outage left many without digital distractions for days. The ratings help people match routes to their fitness levels without guesswork at trailheads.
The authority maintains the Riverside Path that starts at the footbridge on River Street in the Downtown neighbourhood and the Hilltop Loop that begins at the entrance to Summit Woods near Oak Avenue. Both sites sit within the city limits and connect directly to bus stops on Route 12.
Shorter Routes for New Walkers
The 2.4-kilometre Riverside Path carries a difficulty rating of two because it follows a paved surface with less than 20 metres of total climb. Walkers reach the end at the Central Boathouse after 35 minutes at a steady pace. The 4.1-kilometre Maple Grove Loop in the Eastside neighbourhood rates three and includes one short wooden staircase near the old mill site.
Central Wellness Council runs free guided walks on these routes every Saturday at 8 a.m., meeting at the River Street kiosk. Participants must register through the council website by Friday noon.
Longer Routes for Experienced Walkers
The 7.8-kilometre Hilltop Loop receives a difficulty rating of four due to two steep sections that gain 180 metres in elevation. The full circuit takes most walkers two hours and fifteen minutes. The 9.3-kilometre Ridge Trail in the Westridge area rates five and requires sturdy footwear on its gravel sections that cross two small streams.
Authority records show 12,450 visits to the Hilltop Loop in June 2026. Parking at the Oak Avenue lot costs $3 for the first two hours and $1 for each additional hour. Maps with the new ratings are available at the parks office on Central Boulevard or through the authority mobile app updated on July 3.
Residents can start with the Riverside Path this weekend and progress to the Hilltop Loop once comfortable with the distance. Checking current trail conditions on the authority hotline remains the best step before heading out.