When you have a river running through town and are surrounded by a rural landscape and dozens of lakes, there's no shortage of outdoor adventure in the Perth area.
Paddling |
Perth Outfitters is a popular spot for locals and visitors, as they have kayaks, Stand-Up Paddle boards and canoes for rent. Located along the Tay River in town, Perth Outfitters provides the perfect way to tour the waterways. If you have your own kayak or canoe, you can set off on a tour from Last Duel Park or the Tay Basin. Link: |
Golfing |
Perth's home to the Perth Golf Course, which is the oldest permanent golf course in Canada! Built beside the Tay River, the Perth Golf Course is an 18-hole course. Mapleview Golf Course is another 18-hole golf course located just outside Perth on the Scotch Line (County Road 1). If you like to mini putt, then you're going to want to pop by Perth Outfitters for a round with the family. Perth is less than 35km away from a dozen courses, so make a day out of it! Links: |
Cycling |
Perth has an active cycling community. Each June, we welcome the Rideau Lakes Cycling Tour as their midway stop and the annual Cyclocross tour launches from here as well. If you want a personalized cycling tour, then you'll want to pop by Heritage Bikes in downtown Perth. They can also tune up your bike while you have a coffee in their beautiful shop. For maps and self-guided cycling tours, drop in to the Visitor Information Centre at 11 Gore ST E and check out the cycling routes with accompanying maps put together by Perth & District Chamber of Commerce.
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Running and Triathlon |
Perth has a big running community! When you make your way across town, it's not uncommon to spot a runner make his or her way down the sidewalk. We've got some great routes including the ever-popular Glen Tay loop, the Perth Athletic Centre loop and the Spring Goat loop (ask a local, and they can fill you in!). If you're looking for a race in town, we've got a couple signature running events held annually in Perth:
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Hiking |
Explore the trails weaving in and around Perth for a good hike. The Tay River Trail is a historic pathway and portage site that dates back to the military settlement of Perth-upon-Tay in 1816. Using the Tay Basin as the hub or home port of the trail, you can either travel upstream toward the river's source at Bobs Lake or downstream to the Tay delta where the river spills into the Lower Rideau Lake. The Rideau Trail runs through downtown Perth, and makes for a great walk along the Tow Path. Just outside of Perth, you'll find the Wildlife Reserve, which has a beautiful, self-guided 2.5-kilometre trail near the Tay Marsh. You can also discover the many trails at Murphys Point Provincial Park where you can snowshoe or cross-country ski in the winter.
With funding from FedDev Ontario, Perth Tourism has partnered with GirlGoneGood® to create a guide to hiking trails in Perth and area. Head to the Visitor Information Centre to pick up a hard copy, or download and print your own, here: Hiking Guide Perth and Area.
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Sports and Recreation |
While the outdoor adventures are limitless in the Perth area, we've also got some great infrastructure for organized sport including baseball diamonds, soccer fields and tennis courts at Conlon Farm, skating and hockey at the Perth Community Centre, and swimming and aquafit at the Perth & District Indoor Pool. Our community also embraces curling, karate, tai chi, yoga, fitness classes, gym, Crossfit, and more! Link: |