Listowel: River Trails, Festivals and Recreation

Listowel combines trails along the Maitland River with a lively festival tradition and a wide range of recreational activities. At Listowel Memorial Park, you can combine a complete loop around the river with a visit to the amphitheatre; outside the park, the North Perth Trail System offers activities in different seasons. You can also explore North Perth’s history on a self-guided walking tour.

Loop Trails and River Views at Memorial Park

The Rotary Walkway forms a complete loop around the Maitland River in Listowel Memorial Park. The trail is fully accessible and lit. Its surface is concrete, with stone dust in some sections. These are specific features of the loop, without assuming a particular walking time or distance.

Also in Listowel Memorial Park, at 455 Royal St. E. in Listowel, is the amphitheatre. It overlooks the restored Maitland River and is a venue for performances, concerts and picnics. The park therefore offers different options side by side: a riverside loop and a place for events or a picnic. If you’re interested in the area’s history, you can also set out from the North Perth Public Library branch in Listowel on a popular self-guided historical walking tour. It takes you to historic buildings in North Perth.

Festivals with Music, Fairs and Community

Paddyfest has been Listowel’s annual homecoming celebration since 1977. The North Perth community comes together around St. Patrick’s Day. The festival spans a week and two weekends and always takes place during school March Break. It includes music, dancing, food and games, with activities for people of all ages and interests. Paddyfest also raises funds for community projects, local charities and non-profit organizations. This timing is especially important when planning your trip: Paddyfest is tied to school March Break, not to any time of year.

Another local tradition is the Listowel Fair, which has been held since 1856. Livestock shows and agricultural exhibits are complemented by midway attractions and arts and crafts. There is also live entertainment, tractor competitions and a demolition derby. Visitors interested in agriculture, the fairground atmosphere or competitions will find a different kind of festival here than at Paddyfest, whose stated highlights are music, dancing, food and games.

Activities on the Trails and Around Town

The North Perth Trail System is about 22 km long, extending from Gowanstown to Listowel and from Listowel to Henfryn. It can be used year-round for hiking, cycling, horseback riding, skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. The options range from quieter ways of getting around to activities involving a bicycle or snowmobile. When choosing your travel dates and holiday plans, consider which of these activities you’re most interested in.

There are also several different recreational options in town. The skatepark in Listowel Memorial Park is at 550 Derry Street East in Listowel. It’s suitable for all ages and skill levels, and for bicycles, inline skates, skateboards and scooters. The Listowel Kinette Splash Pad is beside the Listowel Kinsmen Pool. Golf enthusiasts will find 27 holes across three nine-hole courses at Listowel Golf Course. For a movie night, the Capitol Twin Theatre at 120 Wallace Ave. N. in Listowel shows current films.

Whether you’re mainly looking for riverside trails, historic buildings, festival traditions or recreational activities on your trip, Listowel offers several distinct reasons to visit. Find more destinations in St. Marys, Stratford and Shakespeare.

For the broader travel overview: Perth County.