Trails for young riders

Hi,
Looking for recommendations here with regards to trails/clubs that would be suitable for younger riders just starting out 7/8 years old. Something like the Bruce County Rail Trail but that would allow green plated bikes. I don't believe green plated bikes are allowed on the BCRT though make all but the road crossings? If they were allowed on the trail but not the road crossings we could probably make it work and just stop and push the bikes across the roads. It isn't like we would ride the entire trail, probably just short sections and double back. The kids wouldn't have the stamina to do the entire trail.

The other trail I thought might be suitable would be the East Side Trail that follows the Welland Canal. I'm not sure this trail is still accessible. All I can really find are old news articles saying various lease agreements weren't renewed and all or maybe just part is closed. Does anyone have up-to-date information on this trail system?

I've tried looking around but there is limited information online as to what each club has access to and whether the trails are suitable. Clubs seem to try to keep their trails and maps out of the public domain. Clubs like the KW cycle sport their membership is restrictive. Seems you need to know someone in the club to join and they need to be with you at all times during your probation period. I can't see finding a member that would be willing to tool around following along with young kids so that is probably out of the question.

Requirements:
- Located in Kitchener-Waterloo but would certainly drive for the right trail.
- Suitable for younger riders 7 and 8 years old, nothing technical.
- Bonus if an adv bike could ride the trail without too many issues
- Accessible with green and blue plated bikes

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

Ganaraska there is double track and fire roads along with a few nice open areas for training . Well worth the trip for the day . Insurance is also needed and passes but you can spend the whole day there and never hit the same trail twice.

St-Williams forest is good for learners. Some parts have been closed to riders (mostly single track), but the puddle track is still open to riding. It is patrolled, so make sure you have a green plate & insurance.

I took my 7 year old daughter to Gopher Dunes this summer. They have a small mostly flat track that was fantastic for her! We had it basically to ourselves. Parked right beside it. Did a few laps, had a snack, laps, laughs, laps snack and so on and so forth. I haven't been into the trails there in years but I was talking to a buddy the other day and he was saying they are fairly decent.

My son, hes 7 aswell loves the lawden tract single track trails near creemore.

The Lawden loop is pretty small isnt it?

I agree with Coondawger, the Creemore area is great for young riders. We were at the Brentwood tract with a first time rider who had a great time, and got a huge confidence boost from the trails there.

I take my newbies to the Sommerville Forest, specifically the rail trail between Burnt River and Kinmount. Super easy and scenic and perfectly suited for adventure bikes as well. You can scale up the difficulty level when they are ready by taking in some double track atv stuff and also some single track if they get to that point.

Is that rail trail you're referring to the Victoria rail trail? I was under the impression I couldn't ride my bike on it and that it's only open to ATV's and snowmobiles in terms of motorized vehicles. I actually find use of most of the snowmobile trails/routes to be a bit confusing with some "seeming" to allow motorcycles and others restricted. I'm guessing there are a number of OFSC members on this forum, perhaps one of them could help provide more clarity.

Joe, there is about 10 km of single tract in Lawden, but there are also fire roads, field areas and the sand pit. I am not sure about where you are allowed by the County to ride. Strictly speaking, I think you are supposed to stay on the single track trail, but there are flat 'learn to ride' field sections available also within the southern edge of the tract.

As long as you're a member of the OFTR you are allowed to use the rail trail and ATV/single-track trails north of Burnt River.

Thanks, that's great info to know... though I'm curious how one would find that information out if not for this forum? As a relative newbee to DS riding I've found it to be a bit challenging to locate and determine the "rules" associated with various trails. I was really hoping to join in a bunch of the OFTR rides this year to get to know other riders and explore new areas but I guess we all know how that turned out :-(. Hopefully next year will be better... though I'm certainly not complaining about the amazing riding weather we've been having lately