The West Montrose Kissing Bridge is one of the most instagramable spots in Ontario. It is a hidden gem that is not know about by many people, however, it is an historic site that should be visited by all.
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Visiting the West Montrose Covered Bridge (Kissing Bridge)
History of West Montrose Covered Bridge
West Montrose Bridge is the last remaining covered bridge in Ontario. It was built in 1881 and spans 198 feet across the Grand River, connecting Hill Street, Covered Bridge Drive, and Rivers Edge Drive.
The original bridge was constructed solely out of wood, however, it has since been rebuilt with wood, stone, concrete, asphalt, and steel. The original design from 1881 has been maintained.
The Kissing Bridge is still used today by horse and buggies, pedestrians, and vehicles weighing less than 3 tonnes, which allows them to cross the Grand River.
West Montrose Covered Bridge: An Historic Landmark
In 1960, the Province of Ontario declared the West Montrose Covered Bridge as a Provincial archeological and historic site. It can be found on Canadian Register of Historic Places.
In 2007, the bridge was designated by the Township of Woolwich as an historic landmark, signifying the significance of the structure that remains today.
How To Get To West Montrose Covered Bridge
The Kissing Bridge is located in the Village of West Montrose, in Waterloo Region. This small obscure village has a population of 257. West Montrose is 112.7 km from Toronto, and a short drive from St. Jacobs, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Guelph. It is worth a visit to the Kissing Bridge if you want to grab the perfect instagram shot and see one of Ontario’s hidden gems. You might even get lucky enough to come across a horse and buggy, which still frequent the area to this day.
How West Montrose Covered Bridge got its Name “Kissing Bridge”
Back in the day the Mennonites would sneak a kiss while travelling through the covered bridge. This is how the West Montrose covered bridge became fondly known as the “Kissing Bridge”.
Lost Acre Variety Store in West Montrose, Ontario
When visiting the West Montrose Covered Bridge, I highly recommend that you stop in at the Lost Acre Variety Store. The store is the only “grocery” store in the area, but it offers an abundance of products, especially for bakers.
Grand Valley Trail – West Montrose to Middlebrook Road
The Waterloo Region is stacked with great hiking trails. The Grand Valley Trail can be accessed directly from the Kissing Bridge. The trail is a moderate 4.5 km out and back trail. Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a leash.
To help plan your visit to the Kitchener-Waterloo Region, you will want to read these articles to help you get started:
- A Solo Weekend In Kitchener Ontario
- Best Coffee Shops In Waterloo Region
- Best Trails In The Waterloo Region For The Beginner Hiker
- Two Day Solo Weekend In St. Jacobs
- Huron Natural Area
- Hot Air Balloon Adventure
- Old Order Mennonites
- Explore Big Cities Ontario
- Nature Escape From The City
- A Magical Staycation In St. Jacobs, Ontario
The West Montrose Covered Bridge – Conclusion
In conclusion, when you are visiting the Waterloo Region, a stop at the West Montrose Covered Bridge is a must to put on your list of places to see. You don’t want to miss the opportunity of getting the perfect picture at the Kissing Bridge!
SAFE TRAVELS 🙂
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PIN TO VISIT LATER!
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How cute, I LOVE the story behind this bridge! I wonder if this was before or after the Mennonite couple was married? This covered bridge is so idyllic, and with a horse and buggy driving by, I’m sure it’s even more so!
good question…although I know Mennonites don’t show affection in public. Yes day i was at the bridge, I was lucky to see a horse and buggy come through. It was so cool.
I love your hidden gems! They’re always so great 🙂 Though whenever I see a covered bridge I think of Sleepy Hollow with Johnny Depp haha.
🤣🤣🤣 thank you. I have fun searching for my hidden gems
This is so great. I love these bridges
I do as well and I had know idea it was a 10 minute drive from my house
I think when I visit Ontario next, I shall be stopping at the Kissing Bridge of West Montrose – I have a list of covered bridges to tick off.
It is pretty. If you do visit, be sure to also visit St. Jacobs!
I sure will1 🙂
The West Montrose Kissing bridge does look unique, covered bridges have a distinct charm. Would love to check it out when in Canada!
They are pretty cool. We don’t have many of them left in Canada unfortunately.
The bridge does look unique and very instagrammable. I have not been to Canada yet, but when I go, I want to make sure I visit places like this! As I have a thing for bridges too!
hopefully you will get to canada. There is so much to see and do!
There are so many beautiful places out there, and so little time! Thank you for sharing this wonderful location!
I completely agree!
I love these kissing bridges they are so quant. Are they an a American or Canadian thing? We don’t have them here in the U.K. but I have property in New Brunswick round the courner from one and I don’t know why but I just love them.
You can find them in Canada and the U.S., although the U.S. has a tonne more of them than we do here in Canada.
I see the comments above about Vermont. VT is where I am from and I so often forget how lucky I was to grow up amongst this beauty – we have multiple covered bridges within a few miles radius. So many tourists are always coming and snapping photos!
I would love to take a Fall roadtrip down to Vermont one day!
This is the side of Canada most people don’t see or imagine! Thanks for sharing!
No it isn’t. Most people go west or further east and think of Ontario as only having Toronto, when in fact there is so much more!
I love covered bridges. I visited a lot of them in the US, especially in Oregon and Iowa. I did not hear about West Montrose Kissing Bridge. It looks beautiful. I add it to my list!
I would love to visit Oregon and Iowa one day to explore the covered bridges. There aren’t many of them left here in Canada
Great to see. Is it the longest covered bridge and is that why it’s called the Kissing Bridge?
It is called the Kissing Bridge, because the Mennonites would sneak a kiss while travelling through it.
I have never seen a covered bridge like this and I love the story and history behind it! Such fun hidden gems all over Ontario and can’t wait to explore this one day too 🙂
There really is a lot in Ontario that I didnt know about. I guess COVID has been good for something.
Love it and I love even more the fact that you share this kind of hidden gems, looking forward for your next posts. I added your blog to the recommendations page on my blog, it’s super inspiring!
Thank you!
Yesss I have this bridge marked for our next trip when we go to St Jacobs! Thanks for sharing these spots because honestly I didn’t know some of these existed and I’ve lived here my whole life hahahah!!!
Me too and I’m also just finding them
Such a cool spot to have locally! It’s a goal of mine to get out to the east coast and see some of the covered bridges of New England! Would love to also get up to the eastern side of Canada and explore as I’ve only been to the western side thus far. Thanks for sharing!
You HAVE to come to Eastern Canada. It is so different than Canada’s west coast. It’s much more laid back with lots of little fishing villages.
It’s definitely on my list! The west draws us in, and it’s closer, but we will get to the East at some point!
I didn’t make it West until 2 years ago and I live here lol. I can certainly see why it draws you in. I thought it was one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen.
I love covered bridges! Where I live in Vermont we have so many! They are so quaint and cute. So cool that it’s the last remaining covered bridge in Ontario!
That is one of the reasons I want to visit Vermont! I love little finds like this and I know Vermont has so many.