From Etobicoke to Hamilton, you’ll find an abundance of green space, waterfalls, picturesque lake views and towering cliffs along the Niagara Escarpment. The West GTA is an excellent area with stunning hiking trails for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

1. Nassagaweya Canyon Trail

Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area (reservations required)

The entire Nassagaweya Canyon Trail connects Crawford Lake to Rattlesnake point and takes approximately 4-5 hours round trip to complete.  However, for a more leisurely hike, you can explore beautiful sections of the trail without even leaving Rattlesnake point, and in well under 1 hour. Check out the soaring turkey vultures above Buffalo Crag Lookout Point and take in the 800 year old cedars on your stroll.

Rattlesnake Point is one of the most environmentally significant regions in Southern Ontario, with unique biozones and a plethora of natural wildlife.

Why You’ll Love this Trail:

• Popular area for hiking, snowshoeing, and trail running
• Well maintained trail with paved sections, gravel trails, staircases, and paths along the cliff edges
• Picturesque views that are incredibly stunning in autumn

2. Bruce Trail

Niagara Escarpment – Milton Section

The Toronto Section of the Bruce Trail is 45.2 km, is moderately challenging for hikers, and takes an average of 11 hours to complete.  

The Bruce Trail is 890km and runs the entire length of the Niagara Escarpment, from Niagara to Tobermory, and is divided into 6 separate sections.

Why You’ll Love This Trail:

• Perfect for backpacking, bird watching and camping
• One of the most visited and best rated all-season trails in the area
• Varied ecosystems with a variety of flora and fauna and stunning views

3. Dundas Peak Trail at Spencer Gorge Conservation Area

Spencer Gorge Conservation Area

This moderately challenging 2.9 km trail takes an average of 45 minutes to complete.

Dundas Peak is a popular section of the Bruce Trail, perfect all year round for birdwatching, hiking and snowshoeing.

Why You’ll Love This Trail:

• Two waterfalls are visible along the path (Tews Falls and Webster’s Falls)
• Stunning views at the beautiful peak overlooking Hamilton
• The mature forest path is a lovely walk

4. Headwaters Trail

Headwaters Trail at Dundas Valley (fee to enter)

This moderately challenging 7.4 km trail takes an average of 2 hours to complete.

With multiple side trails and entry points, you can forge your path.

Why You’ll Love This Trail:

• Plenty of variations in elevations with rocky sections are perfect for hikers looking for a bit of a challenge
• Full of forest, meadows, creeks and rolling hills for an exciting and ever-changing hike  

5. Waterdown Trail to Smokey Hollow

Waterdown, Hamilton

This 10.3 km trail is moderately challenging and takes an average of 3 hours to complete.

Why You’ll Love This Trail:

• Peaceful, beautiful spot with an overlook of the falls
• Inclines, declines, twists, and turns with beautiful scenery
• Stunning in fall when all the autumn colours are in full force

6. Mount Nemo Loop

Mount Nemo Conservation Area (reservations required)

A 5.3 km loop is relatively easy for beginners and takes an average of 1.5 hours to complete

Mount Nemo Conservation Area is a beautiful area and one of Halton’s most notable attractions.

Why You’ll Love This Trail:

• On a clear day, you can see downtown Toronto
• Some sections are rockier and steep, particularly in the north end (family-friendly, but wear proper footwear)
• A popular choice for birdwatchers (often many turkey vultures flying overhead)
• Moves through some sensitive and unique natural environments

7. Burlington Waterfront Trail

A moderately easy 22.9 km trail, the Burlington Waterfront takes an average of 5 hours to complete.

The Burlington Waterfront is an incredible place to explore with shops, parks, playgrounds, and picnic areas.

Why You’ll Love This Trail:

• Open year-round, popular for hiking, biking, and snowshoeing
• Primarily paved trail separated from the cars along the water with views of Lake Ontario along the Burlington waterfront
• On a clear day, you can see the CN Tower in Toronto
• Mostly gentle slopes, but some sections are steeper

8. Ian Redi Side Trail

Ferncliff Park, Burlington

A moderately easy 3.5 km trail, the Ian Redi Side Trail takes an average of 1 hour to complete.

Why You’ll Love This Trail:

• A popular spot for hiking, mountain biking and trail running
• Well maintained park with a small creek that crosses through the trail
• Mostly lower elevations with some steeper areas to navigate
• Crosses other paths for a choose your own adventure type hike

9. Sixteen Mile Creek Trail

Lions Valley Park, Oakville

Easy 6.1 km trail that takes an average of 1.5 hours to complete.

Sixteen Mile Creek is a great excursion that connects many of Oakville’s neighbourhoods – a lovely natural area right in the city.

Why You’ll Love This Trail:

• Popular area for bird watchers, cross-country skiing, and hiking
• The main trail is well-groomed and either paved or loose gravel
• Not paved in the winter, which attracts the cross-country skiers, but winter conditions can be icy and choppy at times
• Bit of everything for the beginner hiker – serene, wooded paths, beautiful viewpoints, private areas by the water,
• Mostly a leisurely hike with a few uphill sections

10. Bronte Creek Provincial Park Loop Trail

Bronte Creek Provincial Park (fee to enter the park)

This moderately easy 5.0 km trail takes just over an hour to complete.

Bronte Creek is perfect for family camping, with many hiking, fishing, and swimming options in one of Canada’s largest outdoor swimming pools.

Why You’ll Love This Trail:

• Hiking, camping, bird watching
• This park-managed ravine trail has stunning views, mature trees, and wildlife.
• With many trails close by in the park, you can easily extend your hike.

11. Hamilton Waterfront Trail

Hamilton Waterfront Trail at Confederation Park

This 4.8 km trail is easy for beginners and takes an average of just over one hour to complete.

Why You’ll Love This Trail:

• Popular for road biking, trail running, and walking
• A paved trail on Hamilton’s waterfront includes parks, playgrounds, boats, and picnic areas
• Mostly gentle with very little sloping making it a family-friendly trail

12. Hilton Falls Trail

Hilton Falls, Milton

Hike to the 10 meter waterfall and take in the historic Saw Mill Ruins. Great for hikers, runners and mountain biking. The Hilton Falls trail is 3km of easy hiking and about 45 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Trail:

• Shaded trail with beautiful scenery with a few forks in the path
• Follow the Hilton Falls Trail for the beautiful waterfall
• Take in the historic 19th Saw Mill Ruins
• Picnic by the reservoir, one of the best kept secrets at Hilton Falls
• Well maintained with stunning views

Whether you’re visiting Milton, Etobicoke, Oakville, Burlington, or Hamilton, the West GTA is full of beautiful hiking trails with picturesque views. Everyone from beginners to experienced hikers will find the perfect spot to explore this summer!