Great Lakes to Greenbelt–Lake Ontario Watershed Cycling Network

CALEDON-LAKESIDE RIDE
173 km

The 2-day trip begins on the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail in Mississauga and Oakville. A few kilometres west of Oakville Harbour, you head north on a series of roads to Georgetown in the Greenbelt with an optional spur near the scenic Rotary Park lakeside in Acton. You’ll overnight in Georgetown before picking up the popular Caledon Rail Trail near Terra Cotta and then on to the Etobicoke Creek valley, a forested corridor that cuts back to Lake Ontario where you’ll rejoin the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail at the mouth of Etobicoke Creek. Then it’s more waterfront views and pathways before ending your ride back in Mississauga.

This fully-signed route follows sections of the Greenbelt Route, Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and two of its signed connector routes.

Nine cycling loops showcasing the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and the Greenbelt Route, yeah, that’s pretty cool. The Caledon-Lakeside Ride is a fabulous cycling experience, no matter how you get it done. We might have chipped away at it this time around, but will be back next season for the overnighter for sure.” Martin Lortz

Start/Finish: Jack Darling Park, 1180 Lakeshore Rd W, Mississauga, ON L5H 1A1 . You cannot park overnight at this location. You can park for up to 48 hrs at the Clarkson GO Station, 1110 Southdown Rd, Mississauga, ON L5J 0A3. Located about 6 km west of Jack Darling Park. The route from the Station to the Trail is signed as part of our Trail to GO program.

Terrain: Rolling hills in Halton area The Waterfront Trail is flat in Mississauga and Oakville as is the Etobicoke Creek Trail.

Surface: Combination of paved and screened limestone paths  Paved roads. Suitable for road bikes.

Level:  Intermediate. Know the rules of the road; comfortable sharing road with vehicles. Some roads with narrow shoulders.

Family-friendly options–Lakefront Promenade Park to Port Credit, Mississauga is a 4.7 km scenic ride on trail and quiet streets. Etobicoke Creek Trail from Marie Curtis Park to Etobicoke Valley Park Baseball Diamonds is a gorgeous 3 km (one ride) beside the Creek. Pick a section of the 35 km Caledon Rail Trail —  wonderful family ride.

Maps: Download RidewithGPS Map and Cue Sheet.  The interactive map and detailed cue sheets include a picture of signs you’ll follow.

Accommodations: In Georgetown–Best Western Halton Hills, 365 Guelph St, Georgetown, ON L7G 4B6

Share your trips with the #greenbeltroute and #waterfronttrail hashtags.

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About the Greenbelt

At 2 million acres, it’s the world’s largest permanently protected greenbelt. The Greenbelt preserves diverse and scenic landscapes such as the Oak Ridges Moraine and the Niagara Escarpment, keeping our farmlands, forests and wetlands safe and secure. The Greenbelt Foundation, who spearheaded the creation of the Greenbelt Route, works to help keep farmers successful, strengthen local economies, protect natural features, and promote sustainable growth.

Learn more at greenbelt.ca

Great Lakes to Greenbelt Lake Ontario Watershed Network

Stretching over 3600 km, the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail connects 155 communities and First Nations along the Canadian shores of the Great Lakes region. The signed, 475 km Greenbelt Route spans seven regions, nearly two million acres of protected Greenbelt lands,  from Northumberland to Niagara.

With support from the Greenbelt Foundation, the Waterfront Regeneration Trust is leading work to develop a Lake Ontario Watershed network of signed routes that link the two extraordinary trails to protect, connect and celebrate Lake Ontario’s watershed. 

Ontario by Bike

Find certified bicycle-friendly accommodations, restaurants, cafes, attractions, visitor information centres, and bike store locations across the Greenbelt with Ontario By Bike, a premier trip planning resource

for cycling experiences. For Ontario By Bike Bike-friendly certified businesses visit Ontario by Bike.