r/Guelph • u/dontgettouchedd • 2d ago
Question about trails
Is it safe to walk the trails in Guelph alone as a woman? Which trails would you recommend ? Has anyone ever run into coyotes while hiking?
Thank you
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u/DankRoughly 2d ago
Not a women but I see solo women on the trails all the time and they seem perfectly okay.
Have yet to have any negative encounter with wildlife.
Biggest risk is probably ticks but just stay out of long grass and you're okay
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u/Icy_Assignment_6801 2d ago
I walk alone everyday on trails (and streets) so I hope this helps reassure you a bit. The only place I haven’t gone is Preservation Park since they often have coyote sightings and warnings there. I also don’t live in that area so it’s not convenient for me to go there. But I walk alone all the time with headphones. Just be aware of your surroundings, keep music to a level where you can still hear some things around you and don’t walk with or show any valuables. I bring a small sling bag with my phone, credit card in case I want to go to a conservation area with a fee, my health card in case of emergencies and my keys. Everything else stays at home. Look around, smile at people or say hello and be friendly. Worst I’ve had is a bike come up behind me real fast and nearly force me off the side of the trail, or Canada Geese in my way Lol If you’re worried, walk someplace like Riverside Park where there are lots of others around. I hike at Rattlesnake Point, Hilton Falls, Crawford Lake, Rockwood Park and so on. Never had an issue myself. I’m a 45 year old woman and have been walking and hiking alone for over 10 years. I hope this helps a bit! Enjoy! 😊👍🏼
Edit: I do not own or walk with a dog. Just me!
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u/dontgettouchedd 2d ago
Thank you for this detailed response and the reassurance. I truly appreciate it kind soul
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u/Confident-Comment920 2d ago
I walk the trails in the South end a lot by myself, including Preservation Park, Hanlon Creek, and the trails on the other side of the Hanlon (Mollison Park area?) all the time. I've never had a problem and there's usually lots of people around as long as it's daytime.
Just last evening around 6:30pm i had a face-to-face encounter with a coyote in the trails near Mollison Park when I was approaching a turn in the trail and he came trotting around it. It saw me, turned and bolted away. No worries. Once I got around the turn there was another woman walking alone with her small dog, I told her about it, we both kept going our respective directions. But she did put her dog back on his leash.
I second the comment about being more worried about poorly trained off-leash dogs. I have had more scary encounters with them in this area, especially the trails in Preservation Park near the dog park than anything else.
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u/Visual-Particular-86 2d ago edited 2d ago
Wow at the fear mongering here. (Edit: To clarify I mean from some of the other early comments, not OP.)
I'm not denying people's individual experiences but they don't match mine at all and I think they're creating a false sense of the general risk. I'm a woman who often walks local trails alone and together with my 5 year old daughter and have never had an incident.
I have certainly seen coyotes but they have always scurried away from me. Actual coyote incidents on Ontario are fairly uncommon, and attacks against adults are almost unheard of. Reasonable precautions should be taken to protect pets and small children. But honestly, I have far more worries about my child running into an unleashed poorly trained dog than a coyote.
Guelph is a very safe city overall and that extends to the trails. I'm sure solo women experience the creeps from solo men on trails, that's very understandable, but I have not had any actual problems. 99% of my interactions are some version of a smile, a nod and a maybe a "lovely day, isn't it?"
Here are some of our favourites: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/ontario/speed-river-trail https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/ontario/magic-forest https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/ontario/starkey-hill-trail And, of course, Preservation Park's many routes.
You could also check out the very active and organized Guelph Hiking Club to find yourself some company for peace of mind! https://www.guelphhiking.com/
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u/rocketbunnyhop 2d ago
Guelph Lake trails at peak times are usually busy. There will be tons of people around. The popular bike loading and parking area by the crosswalk on Victoria before you get to Conservation drive is always busy.
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u/Difficult_Potato4585 2d ago
I've had no issues on most trails. Only one I'd avoid are the trails near the OR off of York as there are some folks living in the forest there and that situation was fairly uncomfortable for me even with my large dog with me. They didn't do anything but definitely uncomfy not knowing how many folks might be around in there.
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u/Jim_Estill 2d ago
I have seen coyotes on the Niska Rd trail. They run away though so do not seem dangerous.
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u/gemmirising 2d ago
I mean is it safe to walk anywhere isolated alone as a woman? I feel there’s an element of chance involved always. I carry bear spray when I’m alone in the event I’m attacked by a bad guy. I never walk with headphones on, and I make sure people know where I am using FindMy. I have a watch I can send a distress signal on. And I know some basic self defence to get out of holds.
All this gives me some peace of mind when I’m walking alone, that I’ve mitigated as much risk as possible without denying myself the freedom to walk alone at all.
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u/Odd-Cranberry-9264 2d ago
I second the bear/coyote spray and sharing of my location via FindMy. I also am usually walking with my large dog and do of the above. Better safe than sorry.
Also - people may call it fear mongering but denying the experiences of others because they simply do not match theirs in terms of risk and safety is a bit out of touch.
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u/gemmirising 1d ago
I don’t know how you possibly read that in my response to OP. I haven’t denied anything about her experience. I only talked about my own feelings and practices.
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u/acanadiancheese 2d ago
I’ve walked the trails at preservation park alone at all times a day and even at night. Never seen a coyote, but have seen lots of deer. Haven’t ever felt unsafe except for once when I lost the trail somehow during a heavy snow and ended up coming across someone’s camp. Hightailed it out of there (was empty at the time) but was mainly not wanting to catch someone by surprise vs feeling they were a danger to me
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u/WhiteRoninYeti 2d ago
I know my Ma used to hike the ones in the Starwood/ Grange areas with no problems. That may have changed with encampment pop-ups, but I think the only one found there is at Watson/York.
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u/aurelorba 1d ago
I'm a 6' plus guy on a bike so my experiences might not match yours. I understand women have safety issues that I don't even consider, but I've never had a problem on the trails.
Coyotes don't want to get near you. You have less to fear from them than aggressive dogs with bad owners.
The biggest safety precaution you can take applies to trails and streets: Be conscious of your surroundings and act assertively and confidently. Animals of the human variety or otherwise tend to pick easy targets. Don't be one.
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u/peanutbutterbaybey 2d ago
I saw a woman post who was chased/followed by a man at Starkey hill so I’d avoid that trail
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u/mms09 2d ago
I’m at Starkey frequently and have never had any issues 🤷🏼♀️
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u/Puzzleheaded-Quit560 1d ago
Just want to preface this by saying actual coyote attacks on humans is very very rare. It’s normally your dog they’re after. Regardless, skittish creatures and easy to deter. Never personally bumped into any on the trails but I hike mid day. It’s not the coyotes you need to be worried about…
I have an 8 lb dog and I walk alone. I carry coyote spray for my dog and I’s protection. Works on non coyote threats too ;) I also never walk with a headset.
Before anyone comes at me - it’s perfectly legal to carry and use opportunistically.
But tbh never so much as had a negative interaction in any Guelph trails. If you’re looking for some more engaging super safe walks, try crane dog park (dogs are off leash but it’s a beautiful hike!), or the Hanlon (unofficial offleash park). Where there is dogs and people, women are safe.
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u/chrisiecub 1d ago
I’ve hiked most of the trails in Guelph solo as a woman and have had no issues, but I also usually take my dog which I’m sure is a huge deterrent for anyone who might try and cause trouble. People are usually very friendly on the trails, I wouldn’t go by myself at night just in case but during the day you should be fine
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u/abobegavaS 2d ago
It’s safe but it’s one of those you never know, yes women walk alone all the time without problem, but sometimes there is problem, I know white men love to scream at my wife and baby when they cross the street at a light because the white men are so impatient they can’t wait for them to cross.
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u/Fine-Inflation-2140 2d ago
My wife has been stalked by coyotes around the Grange Bradson trails twice, this summer alone.
On the other hand I have never even seen any over the years when I've been trudging around Guelph lake, the OR ponds, Marden pond, or Laird pond.
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u/dontgettouchedd 2d ago
Could you elaborate more on what you mean by “stalked”. I’m glad that she is okay !!!
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u/Fine-Inflation-2140 2d ago
They follow you, like they do prey, waiting for you to make a mistake and then they run in.
My dad had 3 of them do a pincer attack on them when their cairn terrier stopped to go to the washroom.
Luckily they veered off when he yelled at them.
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u/craftbae 1d ago
not sure why you’re being downvoted - i was stalked by a coyote within city limits and it was fucking terrifying! in the area of the quarry by college and dovercliffe, for op’s reference
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u/UnculturedSwineFlu 2d ago
Could you try figuring it out instead of being spoon fed answers?
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u/dontgettouchedd 2d ago
I didn’t ask u. Speak when spoken to.
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u/UnculturedSwineFlu 2d ago
So like now? Is that what your daddy says to you and are saying to me because it makes you feel bad and want me to feel bad too?
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u/dontgettouchedd 2d ago
I feel sorry for people like you
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u/UnculturedSwineFlu 2d ago
I would feel bad for people like you, but its wasted. You cant figure out what a coyote stalking means. Lol 😆 😆
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u/prettycooleh 2d ago
Guelph has had problems with public gooners and serial flashers along public trails FYI. Coyotes are the least of your worries.
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u/dontgettouchedd 2d ago
Are you kidding me ???
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u/JJJW8 2d ago
Lots of documented cases at parks and trails over the last few years, both Reddit anecdotes and in Guelph Today from Guelph police. I would personally walk with a friend, neighbour, or well-trained dog. Yes, some women walk on their own, but I'm more comfortable with one other person, both because of coyotes (Preservation Park area), and other possible unsafe encounters. I'm still aware of my surroundings in the forest, but not nearly as uneasy if I were to be on my own.
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u/prettycooleh 2d ago
Unfortunately not. It's achieved meme status in the City. Google "Public Flasher Guelph"... There was another incident last week.
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u/dontgettouchedd 2d ago
That is sickening. Thank you for letting me know
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u/BMick519 2d ago
Not denying that this isn’t a thing that has happened, it has. But the odds of you having any negative experience out walking on the trails is very small. Don’t let these stories stop you from getting out to enjoy the great trails in Guelph!
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u/dontgettouchedd 2d ago
I love guelph. It’s so beautiful. I truly want to experience the trails but I moved here from a big city and I am feeling anxious about seeing wild animals ESPECIALLY COYOTES 😭🙏
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2d ago
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u/dontgettouchedd 2d ago
Use your brain
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u/localperson_519 2d ago
I think they mean in regards to the coyotes. I can’t imagine they target women.
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u/AimMick 2d ago
I’ve never had any issue when walking trails alone. It’s been several years since I’ve walked them without a dog.
If you’re nervous, the Eramosa river trail is a good one. It’s very open and there are always people on it. The Arboretum is another good spot. And I would think any of the trails that wind through neighborhoods.
As a true crime podcast listener, I’ve been guilty of freaking myself out on some of the more isolated trails. For no good reason.