Cycling in Hamilton~A Guide to the City's Best Biking Trails
Biking/hiking trails
The Dundas Valley is a 1,200-acre treasure with lush Carolinian forest bordering a 40-kilometre network of trails. If you’re ambitious, continue on the Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail, or explore several unpaved out-and-back trails and loops.
Why Choose This Trail: When you’re in the forest, this truly feels like an escape from the city. If you’re looking for a longer gravel ride, hop on the Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail, which will eventually take you out of the forest and onto rural routes past farmers’ fields.
Terrain: Flat rail trail with slight incline, hilly double track routes
Distance: 44km + 32km Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail
Parking: 650 Governor’s Road, Dundas
39 moradores locais recomendam
Dundas Valley Conservation Area
650 Governors RdThe Dundas Valley is a 1,200-acre treasure with lush Carolinian forest bordering a 40-kilometre network of trails. If you’re ambitious, continue on the Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail, or explore several unpaved out-and-back trails and loops.
Why Choose This Trail: When you’re in the forest, this truly feels like an escape from the city. If you’re looking for a longer gravel ride, hop on the Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail, which will eventually take you out of the forest and onto rural routes past farmers’ fields.
Terrain: Flat rail trail with slight incline, hilly double track routes
Distance: 44km + 32km Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail
Parking: 650 Governor’s Road, Dundas
There are certain points along this 7.5-kilometre paved trail where it’s easy to forget you’re in the city. Riding towards Princess Point and Cootes Paradise takes you along the waterfront of Burlington Bay where adorable baby ducks and swans bring pedalling to a halt in the spring. At the other end, big things are in store for Hamilton’s West Harbour, currently undergoing a big redevelopment. Buy you can still access great views of Hamilton Harbour here.
Why Choose This Trail: This is a great route for families, though it can get busy on weekends. Also, you’ll love the waterfront views and proximity to urban amenities.
Terrain: Mostly paved
Distance: 7.5km
Parking: Near Williams Fresh Cafe at 47 Discovery Drive or at the end of Longwood Road near Princess Point.
102 moradores locais recomendam
Parque Bayfront
200 Harbour Front DrThere are certain points along this 7.5-kilometre paved trail where it’s easy to forget you’re in the city. Riding towards Princess Point and Cootes Paradise takes you along the waterfront of Burlington Bay where adorable baby ducks and swans bring pedalling to a halt in the spring. At the other end, big things are in store for Hamilton’s West Harbour, currently undergoing a big redevelopment. Buy you can still access great views of Hamilton Harbour here.
Why Choose This Trail: This is a great route for families, though it can get busy on weekends. Also, you’ll love the waterfront views and proximity to urban amenities.
Terrain: Mostly paved
Distance: 7.5km
Parking: Near Williams Fresh Cafe at 47 Discovery Drive or at the end of Longwood Road near Princess Point.
Built over an old CN railway line, this 9-kilometre recreational trail, part of the Trans Canada Trail, will take you up the escarpment along a paved path in the woods. At the top, head over to Albion Falls, one of the city’s many waterfalls. Here, you can continue on to explore some of the Red Hill Valley. If you start your route at the bottom in Corktown Park, the way back tot he car is all downhill!
Why Choose This Trail: A great option if you’re looking for an easy, gradual climb through the city and into the forest.
Terrain: Asphalt, gravel, mixed
Distance: 9km
Parking: Look for parking around Ferguson Avenue South and Young Street, near Corktown Park as that’s where you’ll begin the route if you start at the bottom.
Escarpment Rail Trail
Escarpment Rail TrailBuilt over an old CN railway line, this 9-kilometre recreational trail, part of the Trans Canada Trail, will take you up the escarpment along a paved path in the woods. At the top, head over to Albion Falls, one of the city’s many waterfalls. Here, you can continue on to explore some of the Red Hill Valley. If you start your route at the bottom in Corktown Park, the way back tot he car is all downhill!
Why Choose This Trail: A great option if you’re looking for an easy, gradual climb through the city and into the forest.
Terrain: Asphalt, gravel, mixed
Distance: 9km
Parking: Look for parking around Ferguson Avenue South and Young Street, near Corktown Park as that’s where you’ll begin the route if you start at the bottom.
If a beach-front vacation isn’t in the cards, you can still get that beach vibe by riding this trail along the water. Starting at Confederation Park. You can follow the shores of Lake Ontario towards the Burlington Canal Lift Bridge, while being serenaded by seagulls. You’ll also see this route referred to as the Breezeway Trail.
Why Choose This Trail: This is an easy relaxing ride for those looking for a waterfront ride that’s scenic but manageable. Great for a family beach outing.
Terrain: Paved path
Distance: 8km
Parking: Confederation Park, 585 Van Wagners Beach Rd, Hamilton
Breezeway Trail
Breezeway TrailIf a beach-front vacation isn’t in the cards, you can still get that beach vibe by riding this trail along the water. Starting at Confederation Park. You can follow the shores of Lake Ontario towards the Burlington Canal Lift Bridge, while being serenaded by seagulls. You’ll also see this route referred to as the Breezeway Trail.
Why Choose This Trail: This is an easy relaxing ride for those looking for a waterfront ride that’s scenic but manageable. Great for a family beach outing.
Terrain: Paved path
Distance: 8km
Parking: Confederation Park, 585 Van Wagners Beach Rd, Hamilton
Hamilton’s newest trail (opened in 2020) gives urban cyclists looking to travel up the escarpment to the ‘mountain’ from the city’s lower city, a safe and scenic option.
The protected paved trail stretches from Hunter Street all the way up to West 5th Street with an entry point at Hunter Street and the Claremont Access, with four side connections to trails along the way. (The trail is named after Jay Keddy, a 53-year-old kindergarten teacher and father of three, who was struck and killed while biking up the Claremont Access)
Why Choose This Trail: This route offers a safe way to get up the mountain from the lower city. There are barricades for nearly the entire trail that will protect you from traffic. And the views along the escarpment are stellar.
Terrain: Paved
Distance: 2.4km
Keddy Access Trail
Claremont AccessHamilton’s newest trail (opened in 2020) gives urban cyclists looking to travel up the escarpment to the ‘mountain’ from the city’s lower city, a safe and scenic option.
The protected paved trail stretches from Hunter Street all the way up to West 5th Street with an entry point at Hunter Street and the Claremont Access, with four side connections to trails along the way. (The trail is named after Jay Keddy, a 53-year-old kindergarten teacher and father of three, who was struck and killed while biking up the Claremont Access)
Why Choose This Trail: This route offers a safe way to get up the mountain from the lower city. There are barricades for nearly the entire trail that will protect you from traffic. And the views along the escarpment are stellar.
Terrain: Paved
Distance: 2.4km
Head into the woods on this wide scenic trail, that is part of the Bruce Trail, offering a gentle climb up the escarpment through the trees. If you start at the Chedoke Golf Course in south west Hamilton, look out for a small but pretty waterfall called Lower Chedoke Falls.
Why Choose This Trail: A short pedal with a gradual incline that offers a brief respite from the city while serving up great views of both the city below and the Niagara Escarpment above.
Terrain: Smooth dirt, gravel
Distance: 2.7km
Parking: Chedoke Golf Club, 563 Aberdeen Ave
12 moradores locais recomendam
Chedoke Radial Recreational Trail
120 Beddoe DrHead into the woods on this wide scenic trail, that is part of the Bruce Trail, offering a gentle climb up the escarpment through the trees. If you start at the Chedoke Golf Course in south west Hamilton, look out for a small but pretty waterfall called Lower Chedoke Falls.
Why Choose This Trail: A short pedal with a gradual incline that offers a brief respite from the city while serving up great views of both the city below and the Niagara Escarpment above.
Terrain: Smooth dirt, gravel
Distance: 2.7km
Parking: Chedoke Golf Club, 563 Aberdeen Ave
Though named after a Hamilton steel company, this trail focuses on nature, winding its way through a rural part of Stoney Creek. You’ll also come to a boardwalk built over the Vinemount South Swamp, the biggest natural forest south of the escarpment and home to several important endangered species.
Why Choose This Trail: For those looking for a pretty route past waterfalls and historic gardens and wanting to explore Hamilton’s Stoney Creek community.
Terrain: Paved and gravel paths, boardwalk section
Distance: 11.5km
Parking: Devil’s Punchbowl, 204 Ridge Road, Stoney Creek
Dofasco 2000 Trail
204 Ridge RoadThough named after a Hamilton steel company, this trail focuses on nature, winding its way through a rural part of Stoney Creek. You’ll also come to a boardwalk built over the Vinemount South Swamp, the biggest natural forest south of the escarpment and home to several important endangered species.
Why Choose This Trail: For those looking for a pretty route past waterfalls and historic gardens and wanting to explore Hamilton’s Stoney Creek community.
Terrain: Paved and gravel paths, boardwalk section
Distance: 11.5km
Parking: Devil’s Punchbowl, 204 Ridge Road, Stoney Creek
Christie Lake is home to about 10 kilometres of well-thought-out, flowy singletrack, some planned by IMBA (the International Mountain Biking Association), and maintained by the Hamilton Burlington Mountain Biking Association, with more in the works. Pedal through the family-friendly pine forest with the odd rooty bits and some fun berms. Trails are currently one-direction. Please heed the signs.
Why Choose This Trail: If you’re looking to get back to nature, this is a lovely trail. It’s a great place to spend the day with the family, especially if some won’t be biking with lots of space and a beach to enjoy.
Terrain: Singletrack and doubletrack off-road trails
Distance: 10km
Parking: Enter Christie Lake Conservation Area, follow the main road to the end and turn right for signs to parking.
23 moradores locais recomendam
Área de Conservação do Lago Christie
1000 ON-5Christie Lake is home to about 10 kilometres of well-thought-out, flowy singletrack, some planned by IMBA (the International Mountain Biking Association), and maintained by the Hamilton Burlington Mountain Biking Association, with more in the works. Pedal through the family-friendly pine forest with the odd rooty bits and some fun berms. Trails are currently one-direction. Please heed the signs.
Why Choose This Trail: If you’re looking to get back to nature, this is a lovely trail. It’s a great place to spend the day with the family, especially if some won’t be biking with lots of space and a beach to enjoy.
Terrain: Singletrack and doubletrack off-road trails
Distance: 10km
Parking: Enter Christie Lake Conservation Area, follow the main road to the end and turn right for signs to parking.
The Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) has many great trails around Cootes Paradise, and the Princess Point Trail is no exception. This short, accessible trail offers many great views of the bay and surrounding area.
Princess Point and Sassafras Point is a 5.3 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and bird watching and is best used from March until October.
PARKING:
You can access trails off Cootes Paradise by parking at Princess Point (there is a charge here). You can access The Waterfront Trail to and Princess Point from here.
If you park off Marion Ave. in Westdale ( drive north on Marion to the corner of Marion & Dromore), you can access the main entrance to the major trail in Churchill Park which leads to Sassafras Trail on one side, and McMaster University if you continue up the main path!
Princess Point Trail
Princess Point TrailThe Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) has many great trails around Cootes Paradise, and the Princess Point Trail is no exception. This short, accessible trail offers many great views of the bay and surrounding area.
Princess Point and Sassafras Point is a 5.3 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and bird watching and is best used from March until October.
PARKING:
You can access trails off Cootes Paradise by parking at Princess Point (there is a charge here). You can access The Waterfront Trail to and Princess Point from here.
If you park off Marion Ave. in Westdale ( drive north on Marion to the corner of Marion & Dromore), you can access the main entrance to the major trail in Churchill Park which leads to Sassafras Trail on one side, and McMaster University if you continue up the main path!
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Transporte
Where to Rent & Service a Bike in Hamilton
Hamilton Bike Share: This bike share company services 800 smart bikes at bike hubs scattered over 20 square kilometres in the city. Payment plan options exist for one-time use (pay as you go) and monthly users. Look out for their signature shiny blue bikes.
Waterfront Wheels: Seasonal bike rentals at West Habrour’s Pier 8 include regular bikes, tandems and 2- and 4-seater Surreys, perfect for a waterfront pedal.
Freewheel Cycle: This Dundas bike shop rents out mountain bikes, fat bikes and e-bikes.
Velofix Hamilton: This full-service, mobile bike shop will come to you for repairs.