Hiking The Trails At Erindale Park In Winter
Toronto has High Park, New York City has Central Park and Mississauga can lay claim to having Erindale Park. Visiting the hiking trails at Erindale Park in winter or summer periods is a favourite pastime of many in the city.
Even though I live in Burlington now, I still occasionally take a trip to Erindale Park with my family.
It’s simply put – a gorgeous trail along the Credit River.
Read on as to what you can expect to experience by checking out the trails at Erindale Park in winter.
Three Reasons To Love Erindale Park In the Winter
It’s a popular park for walking, cycling and winter activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
There are three reasons why I think the trails at Erindale Park are a great spot for a quick winter hike in nature.
- They are on a beautiful trail along the Credit River. In the middle of winter, when the ice has formed and there’s fresh snow, it’s a winter wonderland.
- It’s close to the city’s key areas, so you can find a spot to grab a hot chocolate to warm up.
- It’s well-maintained and a popular area for visitors. This means that overall it’s a safe spot for a walk. However, always consider your personal safety first.
- There is ample parking space if you arrive early in the morning, which is the best time for winter hiking at Erindale Park.
About Erindale Park
As the largest park in Mississauga, Erindale Park (222 acres) is an escape into nature amid the suburban sprawl.
I’ve walked through Erindale Park many times. The first time was when I was in Grade Six and on a school trip to learn about geological features and local history.
I remember my teacher talking about the fish hatchery that makes its home here. The salmon that swim upstream in the fall.
The park was also once the site of a hydroelectric dam.
You can still see glimpses of the past in some parts of the park. However, it’s been worked over the years to ensure safety and prevent flooding.
The wooded trail – the David J. Culham Trail – that takes you along the Credit River and ravines is a popular one for locals and those in the area nearby.
It’s particularly a gorgeous spot in autumn when the leaves are changing.
TIP: Always be aware of who is on the trails with you. With the rise in crime, consider taking a friend when winter hiking at Erindale Park.
Winter Hiking At Erindale Park
The photos you see here are from one of our winter hikes after the Christmas Holiday. We wanted to get some exercise, so we headed to Erindale Park.
From the number of people we saw at the park walking along the main trail, it seemed others had a similar idea.
There were even a few fishermen, bundled up to protect against the cold, trying to catch a hungry fish.
Unfortunately, the first day we hiked at Erindale Park in winter we chose to visit the park on a day that was cloudy, windy and damp.
Stopping to take photos meant getting a bit chilled, so photo-taking was kept to a minimum.
What do you need to bring with you for winter hiking at Erindale Park?
Your winter hiking gear: layered clothing and a good pair of boots. The trails can either be snow-covered, icy or muddy depending on when you go.
I’d also recommend bringing something to drink and your phone with you.
Winter Activities At Erindale Park
The second time we visited Erindale Park it was after a good snowfall.
Although it was a cold but sunny day, there were many people enjoying the snowy hills for tobogganing and skiing the trail.
We decided to hike the trails at Erindale Park, despite them being covered in snow. It ends up being good cardio exercise.
Some of the activities you can do in the winter at Erindale Park include:
- Tobogganing down the hill close to the parking lot at Dundas Street
- Cross country skiing along the Culham Trail
- Snowshoeing – fun for the whole family
- Hiking through the snow – it’s too difficult to take a leisurely stroll when you have snow past your ankles. Some people were using trekking poles to help themselves along, and others had their dogs walking alongside them.
- Running. Yes, there were a few dedicated people braving the wind chills and running along the snow-covered trail.
- Taking photos. I was one of the few who was doing the hike-and-stop to take photos of the winter scenery.
- Getting a bit of Vitamin D while listening to the soothing sound of the Credit River. We passed by a couple who had their faces and hands exposed to the sun. The gentleman smiled and said he was enjoying the sunshine and “sunbathing”. Read more about how you can boost your mood in winter.
While many people frequent the trails at Erindale Park, it’s important to keep aware of your surroundings and others.
Personal safety is key no matter if you’re on an urban trail or on more remote trails.
We’ve encountered some questionable types, including one guy who was following me with intent for a couple minutes when I was separated from Frank. Keep your eyes open and stick to the trails if you’re checking out Erindale Park on your own.
| RELATED: The Top 10 Benefits Of Hiking In Nature
Trail Difficulty Level At Erindale Park
The hiking trails are easy as they are fairly flat throughout the area. Snow and ice-covered areas make it a bit trickier however. Bring proper footwear in the winter.
Erindale Park Location
1695 Dundas St W, Mississauga, Ontario. Closest major intersection is Mississauga Rd and Dundas Street West.
More photos of Erindale Park can be found on my Erindale Park set on Flickr.
Visit Mississauga.ca’s page for Erindale Park to learn more about this great spot. Riverwood Conservancy and Rattray Marsh are two other urban parks with trails that you may want to explore in the winter as well.
QUESTION: Would you check out the trails at Erindale Park?
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