Burlington

Eight waterfront parks, beautiful beach, vibrant renewed downtown waterfront, pier and promenade and a historic lift bridge where tankers are a literal stones-throw away make Burlington a favourite and fascinating destination.

Burlington’s Trail splits into two sections on its western end. When travelling from East to West, the Trail splits just west of Spencer Smith Park at Maple Avenue and Lakeshore Rd. Head south along the Beachway over the lift bridge beside the skyway, or take the northern option following pretty residential North Shore Blvd around Burlington Bay and Hamilton Harbour.

The 3.5 km Trail from Brant Street Pier at Spencer Smith Park to the Lift Bridge is completely off-road–great for walkers and cyclists. And you don’t have to stop there. Once over the Lift bridge you can continue for another 6 km along Hamilton’s trail — also completely off-road and lakeside to Confederation Park.

Two “Trail to GO” stops, makes Burlington a possibility as a day-trip destination for many more people… or stay overnight. Burlington as a hotel directly on the Trail.

Burlington’s heritage downtown with loads of great restaurants and shops is directly connected to the waterfront. Another must see nearby attraction is the Burlington Art Gallery.

Download Printable Map

Burlington (Lakefront to Toronto)

Download Printable Map

HamBur Loop (Hamilton-Burlington regional loop, ‘Round the Bay and the Red Hill Valley)

Trail Attributes

Beachway – South

Off-road trail usually paved but some areas are stone dust

Connects to Hamilton Beach Recreational Trail

Lakeshore Road – East

On road, straight and easy

Some off-road

Connects to Sioux Lookout, Port Nelson Park, Paletta Lakefront Park (Dofasco Discovery Trail) and Burloak Park

North Shore Blvd Route – West

On-road, moderately hilly and winding

Connects to Hamilton Harbourfront Trail via York Blvd.

Connects to LaSalle Park and the Royal Botanical Gardens

Trail to GO Stops

Appleby and Burlington GO Stations have signed cycle friendly connections to the Waterfront Trail.

Family Friendly Features

Spencer Smith Park and the Burlington Pier to Hamilton’s Confederation Beach Park is 10km of off-road scenic trail with great interpretative stops along way. Perfect for cyclists and walkers.
Paletta Lakefront Park (4280 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington, ON L7L 1A8). Gorgeous heritage mansion on Lake Ontario with lovely nature trail.
Burlington Beachway--6.8 acres of sandy beach with a concession stand, playground and shade trees.

Local Maps and Connections Staging Areas Amenities and Transit Helpful Links

Links to Local Maps

List of Local Trails

Halton Interactive Cycling Map

Connections

TransCanada Trail — The TransCanada Trail is co-signed with the Waterfront Trail for the Burlington Section.

Greenbelt Route and Lake Ontario Watershed Network — The 475km Greenbelt Route connects communities, farms and businesses from the scenic wine region of Niagara to the stunning vistas of Northumberland along Ontario’s Greenbelt, terminating at Roseneath near Rice Lake.

Starting at LaSalle Park, there is a connector to the Greenbelt Route that makes up part of the Dundas Valley Loop and the Burl-Oak Back-Road Blast loop. These loops are two of several signed loops throughout the growing Lake Ontario Watershed Network, comprised of signed connectors, the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and the Greenbelt Route.

Grand Great Lakes to Greenbelt 1000km itinerary — Guiding you along the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, and Greenbelt Route in an incredible figure-8 (with Hamilton as the hub), this route will give you a quintessential southern Ontario experience.

Royal Botanical Gardens Trails

Links to Bruce Trail Conservancy

Community Links

Burlington

Staging Areas

Royal Botanical Gardens – 680 Plains Rd. West
LaSalle Park – 50 North Shore Blvd.
Beachway Park – 322 Northshore Blvd.
Discovery Landing- 1340 Lakeshore Rd. (additional paid parking at 414 Locust St Garage)
Burloak Waterfront Park – 5420 Lakeshore Rd

Secondary Access Points (limited parking)

Bayshore Park – 322 Northshore Blvd.
Sioux Lookout Park – 3252 Lakeshore Rd.
Paletta Lakefront Park – 4250 Lakeshore Rd

Amenities

Accommodations, Campground
Accommodations, Roofed
Beaches
Groceries
Hospital
LCBO (Includes Breweries and Wineries)
Marinas
Museums
Outfitters
Restaurants
Shopping Areas
Tourist Information
Washrooms
WIFI
Winter Maintenance

Transit

• GO Transit

• VIA Rail (Aldershot Station) — Provides fast and efficient service along the Windsor-Toronto-Montreal-Quebec Corridor

• FlixBus (Hamilton Stop)

• Borrow a Bike — You can sign out a bike for free from the Burlington Senior’s Centre year-round weather permitting. This program is provided by the City and the Burlington Cycling Advisory Committee.

• Burlington Transit