Want to put your iNaturalist skills to the test?
As part of The City Nature Challenge, The Guelph Hiking Trail Club is offering two hikes — a perfect companion to your training sessions.
Before the hikes, participants are encouraged to download the iNaturalist app on their smartphones. As you venture through Guelph’s green spaces, make sure to take pictures and audio recordings and then upload them to iNaturalist. These recordings will ultimately contribute to global conservation and biodiversity efforts.
Ready to get started? Hike details and registration links are below.
Hike 1: Guelph City Nature Challenge: Speed River Trail to Niska Road
Hike Description
Join Wally on a leisurely hike along the Speed River Trail section to Niska Road. This hike is part of the ‘Guelph City Nature Challenge’, where participants will take pictures of wild plants and wildlife and upload them to iNaturalist. The City Nature Challenge is “an international event, motivating people around the world to find and document wildlife in their own cities.” Depending on pace, the hike will work its way towards Niska Road, turning around at the 10am mark to make it back for 11am.
Hike 1 Event Details
📅 Date/Time: April 24, 2026, 9:00am – 11:00am
📍 Meeting Location: Park and meet at the gates of the former Guelph Humane Society (first driveway west of Hanlon Parkway).
🎟️ Registration: guelphHiking.com
Hike 2: Guelph City Nature Challenge: ‘Early Birds’ Speed River Hike
Hike Description
Join Jane and Sam on a leisurely ‘Early Birds’ hike along the Speed River. We will have a special guest, Heather, joining to help spot and snap birds along the river. This birdwatching hike is part of the ‘Guelph City Nature Challenge’, where participants will take pictures of wild plants and wildlife and upload them to iNaturalist. The City Nature Challenge is “an international event, motivating people around the world to find and document wildlife in their own cities”.
Hike 2 Event Details
📅 Date/Time: April 26, 2026, 8:00am – 10:00am
📍 Meeting Location: Park in the gravel lot next to the Covered Bridge on Gordon Street, Downtown Guelph.
🎟️ Registration: guelphHiking.com