10 Best Mississauga Hiking Trails: Amazing Trails in Mississauga
Many people with a keen interest in outdoor activities of all kinds love to travel to other areas of the world, and the joy that comes with it. To do so, one must first have a clear idea of where they would like to go. Whether it is in the USA or elsewhere, you should have a rough idea of the culture, political landscape, topography, landscape, etc. If all this has given you the kind of insight you are looking for, then now it is time to do some research on where to go, where to stay, and how to get there. Here is a list of the 10 best Mississauga hiking trails that have the capability of taking you to breathtaking landscapes.
1. Butterfly Woods
Located in Mississauga is Butterfly Woods, a small forest surrounded by the Mississauga River. It can be easily reached through the Mavis Rd. exit off the QEW and is about 4 miles away from downtown Mississauga. This location has some trails, trails, and more trails. There are a few trails on the property where visitors can go horseback riding, but nothing that would make a substantial amount of difference in their activity. It is worth mentioning though, that the trails that are currently operating are relatively easy to follow, and are fairly well maintained, the trails are easy to walk.
As long as you are on the trail and walking, you can feel confident that you will not be anywhere near dangerous areas of the property. They are also well maintained, so it would not be a terrible thing to encounter snakes or other animals, like bears, which seem to be roaming around the property. Rising to the top of the hill, visitors can reach a few trails, such as Trail No. 5, which has a great view of Downtown Mississauga. There is also Trail No. 11, which offers a terrific view of the town’s skyline.
2. Riverside Park
Riverside Park in Mississauga is one of the main attractions of the city. You can go there by the QEW, but driving will take you a bit of time, as the park is located by Mississauga’s Hurontario Street. Besides this, the park itself is huge, and has a pretty decent-sized lake in the center. It can be reached by two roadways, one is called The Parkway, and the other is called the Pan Am trail.
The park has a decent number of trails, but for an avid hiker, the visitor may be disappointed by the amount of open grass and no trees. There are many trails within the park, so it is almost like a collection of nature’s natural wonders, in one park. There is a big lookout point on the Pan Am trail, that can be reached by a short walk. It is a great spot for photographers, so it would be recommended to keep that in mind before arriving.
3. Lake Dufferin
Riverside Park, Lake Dufferin is easily accessible from the QEW. This location also has access to the QEW, which makes it convenient for travelers. Although, you may find it tough to park and walk into the park, because of the number of cars parked there.
The lake itself is not located in the park, but it is still a pretty area to be in. It offers a large green area, where people like to go and play frisbee or go swimming. There are also a few trails and fishing spots.
4. Homebush Bay
The Homebush bay trail is relatively easy to get to and is also relatively short. It is located right off the lakeshore, on the Northshore parkway, and is only about a 3-minute drive from Mississauga’s Downtown. This park is home to a variety of birds, including nesting hawks, and fish such as loons. The bay offers great views of Downtown Mississauga, and on a clear day, you can get a sense of Lake Ontario.
The trail can also be reached easily by car, just a short walk from the park if you so choose to do so. It is worth mentioning though, that the lake was at one point polluted, so the water is very murky. They are still working to clean it up though, so it is likely safe to swim in, but do keep in mind that the water will be very murky.
5. Thornhill Nature Trail
Located in Thornhill, the Thornhill Nature Trail is a great place for an urban hiker. It can be reached from the north side of Thornhill, which is near the Toronto Zoo, which makes it convenient for those traveling in from the east.
The location is not far from the Oak Ridges Moraine, which makes this a great place to see some wild flora. The trail itself offers a little bit of everything, including alligators, minks, and black bears. There are also many paved trails, so visitors can opt for the whole experience if they wish to.
6. Thomas Hannon Trail
The Thomas Hannon Trail is located close to the Rouge River. This location is by the Rouge River and is a fairly easy place to hike. There is a paved walkway along the trail, and the entire thing is around 4 miles. There are two parking areas, and they are fairly close to each other.
The trail begins at Wyecroft Woods and ends in the Don River. There are many interesting species to see, which include many whitetail deer, squirrels, beavers, and other wildlife. The trail is located near Lake Ontario, and the area it is located in is a very urban environment, meaning it is a nice place to go if you want to go hiking.
7. Glen Stewart River Trail
The Glen Stewart River Trail is located near the Humberstone golf course, in Etobicoke. The trail itself starts at the Mountain Creek Metro and continues until it connects to the lower Etobicoke Creek. The trail is fairly flat, but it does have steep terrain in some areas, so it would be advisable to walk slowly. The trail also offers a lot of greenery, and many people go there to ride their bikes.
If you are new to hiking or have never done a proper hike before, then this would be a great place to start. It has many different variations of hiking, and there are also many more trails that are not listed here because they are only short walks from the parking lots. You can also walk to the Shoreline area of Toronto, which is a natural park.
8. Galloping Goose Trail
The Galloping Goose Trail is a popular spot for mountain biking, and is located in Oak Ridges, and is only about a 5-minute drive from the downtown area. It’s an easy and short trail, and you’ll be at the top in no time. The trail starts on Long-Cook Lake and eventually gets onto Bell Woods. There are lots of boulders along the trail, which make for a great workout. You can also expect to see a lot of wildlife, like foxes, rabbits, and other small animals.
It is worth mentioning though, that the hike is a bit steep in some areas, so don’t be surprised if you want to take a breather, or make a phone call, and then have to backtrack to a safe location. The trail is not very far from the base of the famous Sugarloaf Mountain, which is one of Toronto’s most famous tourist attractions. You can reach the trail by driving to the Meadowvale Skyway and heading west. Once you arrive, you can take a dirt road which will take you there. This trail is great for beginners, and most people who visit the trail will end up having a lot of fun.
9. Etobicoke Creek Trail
This trail is a bit more challenging. You can start at the Bayview Recreation Centre, take a paved walkway through the park, and arrive at Etobicoke Creek. This is a great place to take a nice walk on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. There are many different species of plants and many small animals. This trail is much longer than the one above, and it takes about an hour and a half to walk it.
There is also a train station that you can take to get to the subway, in case you want to go to the island of Toronto. The area is also very populated with wildlife, so this will be a great place to go if you want to see Canadian geese, ducks, and other bird species. There are also plenty of people who come here to fish for perch and bass. It is a great place to go if you want to take a stroll on the beach and explore some hidden places.
10. Champlain Trail
The Champlain Trail is located near the famous CN tower, and it is only a 20-minute drive from the downtown area. It is a paved trail that loops around the city, and it connects up to the Halton Hills. This is another easy trail that will allow you to get some exercise. There is a lot of wildlife along the trail, and many people go there to visit the nearby areas.
There are two different ways that you can reach this trail, you can drive, or you can take a bicycle or a bus. It would be advisable to take the bike or bus if you are planning on using this trail, as the road surface could be quite bumpy. The road near the trail is not very long, and you can reach the CN tower by walking from the trail.
11. The Scarborough Bluffs
This is another place you can visit to do some hiking. You can take a scenic walk-through Scarborough, and get a nice view of the city, the lake, and the beach. It is important to note that this trail is not very long, and it is not very challenging. It is also very popular, so don’t expect to have the trail to yourself.
However, it is still worth visiting as there are plenty of birds, and the beach is beautiful. The trail is located in a park and is very well kept. There is a boardwalk around the beach, so if you want to sit down and relax, this is the best place to visit.
12. Mississauga Civic Centre
If you are looking for a more urban hiking spot, you can head to the Mississauga Civic Centre, because of the number of available trails. Some of the trails are nice, while others are a little longer, but all are equally enjoyable.
The Civic Center is a fantastic place to take a walk, picnic, and enjoy the spring. For people who are new to the area, the Mississauga Civic Centre can be a good place to start, because it is close to many places, where tourists can easily go on a hike.
13. Credit Valley Conservation Area
The Credit Valley Conservation Area is amazing hiking and picnic spot. It is set up very conveniently, and most of the trails are completely flat. Credit Valley Conservation Area has an observation tower and the paved trail can be accessed from several points, so it can be done by walking or biking.
There are plenty of bench areas to sit down and enjoy the view. There are also many trails for an avid hiker. You can choose to walk, hike, or bike. The trails are all relatively easy to follow but are much easier to navigate in the springtime. The majority of the trails are shaded, so it is a nice place to go in the spring, summer, and fall.
Conclusion
These are some of the amazing Mississauga hiking trails, and they are all just minutes away from the downtown area. All of them are easily accessed by public transit, so you don’t even have to drive if you don’t want to!
Thank you for reading this article, and I hope you found it helpful! If you have any suggestions for some other great hiking spots in Mississauga, or if you are looking for some new hiking boots, you can find them here.