Hiking & Recreational Trails

Hiking & Recreational Trails at HCA

Explore Hamilton Conservation areas in all seasons; with over 145 kilometres of recreational trails, you’ll always find something new! Your next adventure starts here!

HCA has trails at most of our areas as well as some additional trails in the Hamilton area.

To learn more about hiking at each area, click below.

Conservation Area Trails

Explore pine plantations, circle the lake or head to the west side of Middletown Road to hike the Wildlife Area. Christie Lake never disappoints when it comes to nature!

Main Recreational Trails
Hill and Dale: 1.1 km one way
Lafarge 2000 Trail: 22 km one way
Round the Lake: 5.6 km loop
The By-Pass: 0.64 km one way
Wedeln Run: 0.48 km one way
White-tailed Deer: 2.6 km loop

Learn more about Christie Lake.

Walk along Lake Ontario as you stroll down the Hamilton Beach Trail. This is a paved trail which connects to the Waterfront Trail, running an additional 4.2 km west to Burlington. You’ll also be able to access the Red Hill Valley Trail from the park.

Main Trail
Hamilton Beach Trail: 4.3 km one way

Learn more about Confederation Beach Park.

Highlights of the 1,200-hectare conservation area include lush Carolinian forests, colourful meadows, cold-water streams, stunning geological formations and an array of rare plants, birds and wildlife.

Main Recreational Trails
Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail: 32 km one way
Headwaters Trail: 10.5 km loop
Heritage Trail: 1.8 km one way
Main Loop: 3.4 km loop
McCormack Trail: 7.5 km one way
Monarch Trail: 5.1 km one way
Spring Creek Trail: 3.3 km one way

Bruce Trail
A section of the Bruce Trail travels through the Dundas Valley and is Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath. It spans more that 885 km of main trail and 400 km of associated side trails. Visit their website for more information.

Learn more about Dundas Valley.

Filled with underground caves and streams, meadows and forests, the Eramosa Karst is one of the watershed’s unique natural gems. The Eramosa Karst also grants access to the East Mountain Trail Loop.

Main Recreational Trails
Bobolink Trail: 1.9 km one way
Karst Features Trail: 2.8 km trail loop
Meadows Trail: 2.1 km one way

Learn more about Eramosa Karst.

Fifty Point’s recreational trail extension took place in 2016 and early 2017, creating a full loop around the area. A new bridge crossing the pond was also installed.

Main Recreational Trail
Fifty Point Trail: 3.4 km loop

Learn more about Fifty Point.

The Fletcher Creek Ecological Preserve is a unique natural area with an abandoned quarry at the site which was rehabilitated, resulting in the creation of a rare type of wetland. The area also includes boardwalks and stunning views.

Main Recreational Trail
Quarry Trail: 4.3 km loop in a figure eight

Learn more about Fletcher Creek.

Hiking at Valens Lake is beautiful any time of year. Hike through the trees, with views of the lake, cross the 300 metre boardwalk, fishing bridge and also climb the observation tower, offering a stunning view of the surrounding forests and lake

Main RecreationalTrails
Boardwalk Trail: 3.2 km loop
Lakewood Trail: 2.4 km one way
Open Field Trail: 1.5 km one way
Rabbit Run Trail: 0.5 km one way

Learn more about Valens Lake.

There’s more than just heritage buildings at Westfield! Walk the recreational trail system which passes by a couple of ruins sites and though the forest. This unique location offers a step back in time and through the woods.

More about Westfield Heritage Village

Additional Recreational Trails

A section of the Bruce Trail travels through the Dundas Valley and is Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath. It spans more that 885 km of main recreational trail and 400 km of associated side recreational trails.

More about The Bruce Trail

The Chippewa Rail Trail follows an abandoned rail line south from the Chippewa Rail Trail Parking lot to Caledonia. After passing through an industrial area in Stoney Creek, the trail opens up into rolling farm land and natural areas. A point of interest is the old rail bridge that crosses Twenty Mile Creek. The trail is mostly flat and is easily accessible.

More about The Chippewa Trail

Linking the Devil’s Punchbowl, 87-Acres Park, the Bruce Trail and Battlefield House and Museum, the Dofasco 2000 Trail is a multi-use recreational trail on Hamilton’s East Mountain. The recreational trail also features a 1.7 km boardwalk section that travels through the Vinemount Swamp.

More about The Dofasco 2000 Trail

Canada’s first fully developed entirely off road interurban recreational trail, the Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail uses the abandoned route of the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway. The trail intersects and runs through the Dundas Valley in several areas.

More about The Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail

Please note the trail has been rerouted. Click for map of changes.

Offering users a varied look at the unique, natural features along the recreational trail, including the Beverly Swamp, Dundas Valley and Christie Lake, the Lafarge 2000 trail is an important part of the recreational trail network that surrounds the Hamilton area.

More about The Lafarge 2000 Trail