Download Printable Map
HamBur Loop (Red Hill Valley and Round the Bay)
Those passing Hamilton from the Highway would recognize it for its industrial waterfront, but Hamilton will surprise new visitors. What the view from the highway hides are marinas, and waterfront and bluffside parks and shops, avenues of unique restaurants. The City is a nexus of major cycling and pedestrian trails, from the Niagara Escarpment and throughout the Dundas Valley, from the Bruce Trail to the Greenbelt Route and yes, the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. The past two decades have dramatically changed the waterfront, bringing with it new recreational uses, restored natural areas and cultural features.
Welcome to Steeltown.
2019 marked the opening of the HamBur Loop, extending the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail from the waterfront to historic Ferguson Ave station, Albion Falls and the Red Hill Valley, forming a 50km loop connecting Hamilton and Burlington around the harbour. Much of the route on the Hamilton half of the HamBur Loop is off-road and family friendly, however there are on-road sections in Burlington and through central Hamilton and a set of stairs that must be navigated from the York Street bridge to the Desjardins Canal.
The Hamilton Waterfront Trail (7.5km): follows Hamilton Harbour from Princess Point (Cootes Paradise) through Bayfront Park, Pier 4 Park, the Discovery Centre and on to HMCS Haida. You’ll also find Williams Coffee Pub, a Waterfront Ice Cream stand and the Hamilton Harbour Queen Cruises nearby.
At Cootes Paradise there is an impressive staircase with a cycling trough leading to Dundurn Park and some amazing lookouts. From here you can connect to Burlington via York Street- extreme caution is needed when crossing the ramp from the 403.
Note: The staircase at Coote’s Paradise is quite large and steep and can be a challenge for cyclists with full paniers.
The Hamilton Recreation Beach Trail (8 km): Follows the Lake Ontario shoreline taking people from Burlington under the Burlington Canal Lift Bridge to Confederation Park and into the former Stoney Creek. Interpretative panels describe the history of Hamilton’s waterfront and explain the restoration process. There are two wonderful restaurants, a major waterpark and great beaches where you can take a dip into the Lake.
HamBur Loop (Red Hill Valley and Round the Bay)
Hamilton East: (Lake Ontario waterfront)