Discover Listowel: Trails, Festivals and Recreation

Listowel offers something for a variety of interests: trails along the Maitland River, a historic walking tour, recurring festivals and a range of recreational activities. If you’re looking for a hotel in Listowel, it may help to start by deciding what brings you to the area. Are you mainly interested in spending time outdoors, attending a festival or exploring the amenities at Listowel Memorial Park? The places and events below each have a different focus.

Trails along the Maitland River and in the North Perth Trail System

At Listowel Memorial Park, the Rotary Walkway forms a complete loop around the Maitland River. The trail is fully accessible and illuminated, with a concrete surface and stone dust in some areas. If you’re specifically looking for a loop trail, this one has a clearly defined circular route. Its surface, lighting and accessibility offer further details on what to expect from the Walkway.

The North Perth Trail System is open year-round for hiking, cycling, horseback riding, skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. It is approximately 22 kilometres long, extending from Gowanstown to Listowel and from Listowel to Henfryn. The Gowanstown–Listowel section is under construction. Keep this in mind when planning a specific route, and check the condition of this section before using it. The Rotary Walkway loop and the longer sections of the Trail System offer different ways to explore Listowel and its surroundings on foot or by other means of transport.

Another self-guided trail takes you to the historic buildings of North Perth. It begins at the Listowel branch of the North Perth Public Library. This lets you include a history-focused walking tour in your exploration; its destination is a collection of buildings in North Perth, rather than one specific attraction.

Paddyfest and the Listowel Fair

Paddyfest has been Listowel’s annual homecoming celebration since 1977. The North Perth community gathers around St. Patrick’s Day for the event. It spans one week and two weekends, and always takes place during March Break. Music, dancing, food and games appeal to people of all ages and with a variety of interests. Paddyfest also raises funds for community projects, local charities and non-profit organizations. If the festival is a deciding factor in your trip, check the dates before making plans.

The Listowel Fair has been a local tradition since 1856. Its program includes livestock shows, a midway, arts and crafts, agricultural exhibits, live entertainment, tractor competitions and a demolition derby. The events may vary from year to year. Unlike Paddyfest, its focus is a mix of agriculture, midway attractions and entertainment, so the program for the specific edition is also relevant when planning your visit.

Recreation at Memorial Park and beyond

The amphitheatre at Listowel Memorial Park is located at 455 Royal St. E. It is a venue for performances, concerts and picnics, and overlooks the restored Maitland River. This gives it a different focus from the Rotary Walkway: here, events, picnics and river views take centre stage, while the Walkway forms a complete loop around the river.

The skatepark at Listowel Memorial Park is located at 550 Derry Street East. It is suitable for all ages and skill levels, and for bicycles, inline skates, skateboards and scooters. The Listowel Kinette Splash Pad is next to the Listowel Kinsmen Pool. For golf enthusiasts, Listowel Golf Course has 27 holes across three nine-hole courses. These details distinguish the activities by type and scale without combining them into a single route.

When looking for a hotel in Listowel, you can weigh different interests: a loop trail and other trails, history, an event date or recreational activities, each with its own clearly defined focus. Discover more destinations: Stratford, Shakespeare, St Marys.

Return to the main travel overview: Perth County.