One hundred years ago, Ontario had approximately 400 covered bridges. Today, the West Montrose Covered Bridge is the last remaining. The town itself is quiet, scenic, and steeped in rural charm. Nearby attractions include the St. Jacobs Farmer’s Market and the original Home Hardware Store along the historic downtown stretch of King Street.
Trip Rating: 4.0/5
Built in 1881 by John and Benjamin Bear, the West Montrose Covered Bridge is the last drivable covered bridge in Ontario. If you visit early in the morning, you may see local Mennonite families travelling by horse and buggy on their way to the market or church. If you plan to take photos, please be respectful and ask permission.
The Region of Waterloo, in partnership with the Township of Woolwich and local residents, is committed to maintaining the bridge as a functional roadway while preserving its heritage integrity for future generations.
Launch Sites:
The launch site can be a bit tricky. There is a narrow grass bank used for launching, located in front of private residences. Please be quiet, clean, and respectful—disturbing people’s homes is unacceptable.
After unloading, you can park down the road where there is a small lot and a porta-potty. Enter the following address into your GPS:
1232 Rivers Edge Dr, West Montrose, ON N0B 2V0
Trip Length:
Downriver takeouts include Kaufman Flats (approximately 3 hours) and Moyers Landing (around 6 hours). There are other access points along the way as well.
This is a moving-water river trip, and a shuttle is required.
Cost: $0
Difficulty: Depending on the season, this route ranges from shallow, bottom-scraping water in summer and fall to Class II+ currents in spring. Please use caution and pre-scout the river to ensure you are comfortable with the difficulty level.
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