This ‘stone town’ in Ontario has a trail that was once part of a historic railway

St. Marys is a picturesque “stone town” located in southern Ontario, full of rich architectural history. And if you were looking for a summer road trip destination, you may want to pay it a visit. In addition to its historic beauty, it’s home to over 25km of outdoor trails just waiting for you to explore.

The town of St. Marys can be found almost two hours away from Toronto, between Stratford and London.

What to do in St. Marys

It’s filled with natural beauty and a lot of charm. If you’re looking for a new small town to explore, St Marys has a number of local shops, restaurants, parks, and scenic trails.

It is also known as “The Stonetown,” according to the Town of St. Marys, due to its historic limestone architecture.

Per the Town’s website, it’s famed for the stunning 19th-century limestone buildings it houses. These include churches, commercial blocks, and homes that still stand tall.

Outdoor experiences

But that’s not all that remains. A limestone quarry that was abandoned in 1930 is now a popular swimming spot in the summer – Canada’s largest outdoor freshwater pool.

Though there are a few things best enjoyed in the summer, the town’s hiking trails are your best options.

Whether you decide to go on a walk, bike, or run along its in-town trail systems, you’ll be treated to a scenic experience of the local landscape.

Out of the four trails, the Grand Trunk Trail offers panoramic views over the town and countryside thanks to the Sarnia Bridge, according to the town’s site.

Though it’s only 3.2 km long, it started out as part of the historic Grand Trunk Railway. “In 1858, the GTR reached the village of St. Marys from Toronto and points further east,” states the Town.

“From St. Marys, the line went west to Sarnia, Port Huron, and Chicago.”

And as for the Loop Trail, it offers 13 km of views, making it the longest interior biking trail in the city

“The St. Marys Loop Trail runs past many historic sites and natural areas. Points of interest include: the home of former prime minister Arthur Meighen, the historic Junction Station, which has now become home to Broken Rail Brewing, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, and the St. Marys Quarry,” shares the town.

Small town with a lot of adventure.

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Karen Doradea

Managing Editor, Toronto – Karen is a multimedia journalist based in Toronto. With a strong knowledge of reporting and editing through all forms of media, she has a true passion for storytelling. She carries several years of journalistic experience and has covered the Toronto scene from local stories to national news. When Karen isn’t publishing fire content, you can find her binge-watching sitcoms on Crave, at a must-try restaurant, or scrolling endlessly on TikTok looking for the next best thing – News never sleeps.

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