Written By Alan Good
TRAVEL - Who would think a hike could provide knowledge of our past. A short drive to Goderich can put you on the right path to exercise and a little Ontario history.
Just north of town, before the bridge that crosses the Maitland River, turn west on North Harbour Road and drive downhill towards a parking spot just off the roadway. Signage there marks the way to a railway trestle now used to get to hiking paths.
The Menesetung Bridge is about 229 meters long, spanning the Maitland River and your start for walking the 132 kilometers from Goderich to Guelph, as part of the G2G rail trail. Once across the trestle, used by trains in the early 1900’s, a smooth, accessible path awaits. The bridge itself was disused in 1988 when the last freight train crossed from Goderich.
Since then, it’s become a popular walkway, that is until last year when some structural repair and reinforcement of four concrete support piers closed the bridge. Many contributors helped finance the $1.1 million project as evidenced by the plaques and name plates along the trestle.
But the view from the bridge is terrific, looking upriver for some distance northeast, and on the other side, out to Lake Huron. Crossing it, you get a sense of a structure that is here to stay.
A few kilometers along the walk we viewed various species of trees and plants, plus a butterfly garden. A set of steps led up to a wooden structure where one could sit and see across the river.
Further along the pathway, we turned aside and entered a serene garden spot that had once been an 845-acre parcel overlooking the Maitland River, bought by Robert and William Dunlop. Their idea was to build a sister town to Goderich, Gairbraid, named after a town in Glasgow, Scotland. The plans for the village, including an octagon shape to the city’s centre, can be seen there as well as information on Dr. William “Tiger” Dunlop, whose tomb remains behind a wall and iron gates.
Dunlop was said to have worked alone for two days on some 220 men from both sides of the 1812 war. As a member of Parliament, Dunlop was appointed as the 1st Warden of the District of Huron. The nickname “Tiger” is supposed to have been given to him during his time in India.
You can, of course, take a more adventurous—rougher—hike, turning immediately left after the trestle. This leads down to the river and around toward the lake. Many like this route to find a spot for quiet fishing.
Either way, a day here will offer exercise, peacefulness, and history.
