Why The Trail Across Burlington Rocks

For anybody living south of the QEW in Burlington, there’s a great off-road multi-purpose trail that can take you from the Oakville border all the way to the downtown core.

This paved trail across Burlington, Ontario is our favourite route for walking and biking, and strolling with our one year old. It’s a popular trail for residents but it’s also a good one for visitors to the city who want to stretch their legs.

A Trail Across Burlington

Running about 7 km, it’s approximately a four metre wide path that’s used by pedestrians, cyclists and sometimes rollerbladers. It runs through parks and neighbourhoods, with mostly flat land and a few small inclines clustered around the creeks that cut through it.

This dedicated, off-road trail and it’s short distance from Toronto, is another reason why Burlington is a great place to live and visit.

Trail across Burlington - Sherwood Forest Park

I Love This Trail Because…

Whoever brought forth the idea of creating this trail across Burlington – thank you! It rocks for many reasons:

The trail is a less busy than the main roads, making it a safer and quieter route across the city.
It’s a great workout: a 14 km round trip.
There are cool-looking, public art benches to rest between sections (although some sections are long and do need a pit-stop on the route).
The trail runs right by Dairy Queen and Starbucks by Appleby Line, giving you an opportunity to refuel and rest.
Some spots are wooded – such as the section by Sherwood Park – and there are a couple creeks that criss-cross the trail. This makes the scenery interesting, especially for little kids.
It’s paved, making it so much easier to push a stroller.
Some of the parks along the route have kids’ playgrounds, making them a fun destination.
The trail connects neighbourhoods with some of the best leisure and sports centres in the city: from soccer fields by Sherwood Park and to the huge pool at Nelson Park.

Stop For A Treat

During Mother’s Day weekend, we took a very long walk with our son, Baby B, in his stroller. Getting as far as Nelson Park, we were doing a great job burning calories. We gained them back by stopping at Dairy Queen for a soft serve ice cream. Double dipped chocolate!

Should you find yourself closer to the downtown core, stop in at Crema Di Gelato or R.C.’s Boardwalk Fries & Ice Cream on Lakeshore Drive. Walk across the street to Spencer Smith Park to relax and enjoy the view along the lake.

Go Further On The Trail Across Burlington

You can continue on to the Waterfront Trail beyond Spencer Smith Park, taking you along the shoreline into Hamilton. Due to recent issues with high water levels in Lake Ontario and erosion, some parts of the trail are closed. Check the Hamilton Conservation site for updates on this trail and the parks along the shoreline.

Learn More About the Off-Road Trail Across Burlington

To see where the trail cuts through, check out the Burlington cycling map. Always remember to wear a helmet and pay attention to the traffic on the roads that cut through the trail.