Bob McMullen Linear Trail+ Out and Back, Self-Guided

About 10.5 km. Difficulty: 2  Contact: Ron, ronaldcherry002@gmail.com
Google map, showing complete route.  GPS Map

Park in the parking lot next to the Preston Memorial Auditorium at corner of Hamilton St. and Bishop St. S in Cambridge (Preston). Walk SE to the trail head of the Bob McMullen Linear Trail.

The entrance to the trail is steep as you go down to the river, icers may be needed here. Follow the trail as it follows the Grand River. Watch for wild Swans, (there may be hundreds), Common and Hooded Merganser, as well as Goldeneye ducks. The latter will spook easily if you get too close and they see you.  At about 1.8km near the confluence of the Grand and Speed Rivers, the trail goes uphill and further from the river. From here the trail follows the Speed River. Just before the 3km mark, a side trail goes closer to the river, but stay on the main trail straight ahead. At about 3.5km you reach a small parking lot and the end of the Linear Trail at Chopin Drive. Turn left, NE to walk along Chopin Drive to King St. At King St. turn right to walk to Eagle street and cross King at the lights. After crossing King, turn left to walk NW toward the entrance into Riverside Park. Enter the Park and turn right to walk under the archway toward the Speed River. Follow narrow paved road along the river until you reach the first ball diamond where there is a paved sidewalk. Follow the the sidewalk along the river until you reach a boardwalk at about 5.1km. Take the boardwalk that goes to the left, NW. Along this short stretch of boardwalk watch for Juncos, Jays, Cardinals, and Chickadees. I've also seen hawks and a Long-eared Owl in here. When the boardwalk ends, turn left and then shortly after, left again onto the paved walkway. Follow the paved walkway between the two ball diamonds, back to the trail along the river. Follow this trail back the way you came.  Just after the outlook over the confluence of the Speed and the Grand, watch for the narrower trail down to the river and follow it.  Follow the trail along the Grand River back to the trail head.

If you do this hike in reverse, starting from Riverside Park, park in the parking lot at the end of Russ St., off of Eagle St. N.  The hike can be done as a hike of about 6km if you only do the Linear Trail and not the part from Chopin Dr. to Riverside Park.