Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail - Oshawa to Niagara

The trail along the Lake Ontario waterfront has many variations. Some areas are excellent while other locations have not been completed. It is however a trip worth taking, especially in the Niagara Falls - Niagara on the Lake section where riding is easy and the scenery is beyond compare. This web site includes the Oshawa to Niagara Falls section but there is an excellent writeup on the eastern section here . All map highlights of the trail should be considered only as a guideline and if you would like a o good overall picture please go to here. . I have been fortunate to bike this whole route and found no problem in finding overnight accomodations, either in campsites, or motels along the way.


Trail Rating Eastern Lake Ontario waterfront trail

Pictures
Waterfront Trail Picture Gallery - enlarged



Oshawa to Pickering/Rouge Hill
Leaving Oshawa Park, heading west Travelling eastern edge of Oshawa, past Ballparks Entering Whitby, bridge construction Scenic wetlands, Whitby-Oshawa area Whitby trail thru park areas by Lake Ontario Whitby harbour On road Whitby-Ajax 3-4 km Ajax, great trails right by the waterfront Pickering Beach area, bottom of Liverpool Rd. Frenchman's Bay, from the west side Back road travelling, right into the woods & no sign Rouge river crossing into Toronto
For the most part the trail runs along Lake Ontario and is well marked but there are two sections that use a busy highway. In both cases the south side of the highway appears to be the best. Plans have been formalized to complete sections that use these highway sections but don't look for completion prior to 2003.



Pickering/Rouge Hill - Toronto Beaches
Overnighter at Rouge Campground Lawrence Avenue, with little traffic Crossing Highland Creek, on Lawrence Kingston Road, with little traffic Toronto Beaches, back to the trail
This portion runs only on roads and unless you are willing to travel at lighter traffic times it may not be for you. Also Toronto has a bylaw that restricts bicycle riding on sidewalks.



Downtown Toronto to Mississauga
Beach area in East Toronto Toronto skyline Downtown Toronto along the boardwalks Park area in west Toronto Etobicoe, now part of Metropolitan Toronto Mississauga pathway thru park area Mississauga pathway by the waterfront Georgeous flower arrangements in park
You really would not believe that biking downtown Toronto could be enjoyable, but it's really pretty good. There are some excellent bike paths along the waterfront, especially in the western portion.



Oakville - Burlington - Hamilton
Scenic trail using less traffic streets Trail parallels street at times Overnighter, Centennial Park in Hamilton. Just a pit stop to refresh oneself Bicycle trails are rare between Hamilton & St. Kitts Watch for signs, as they can be missed easily. If lost, head for the North Line North Line parallels the QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way)
Some road travel but good biking overall. Burlington is a cut above but you could enjoy this part of the trip.



St. Catherines
North Line, close to QEW and Lake Ontario Park setting on Lake Ontario Road biking towards Port Dalhousie. Park setting along Lake Ontario Port Dalhouse Port Dalhouse bridge crossings for trail St. Catherines, by the lake, good bike paths St. Catherines, by the lake, watch for signs
Bike trails in the St. Catherines area followed by bike lanes leading into Niagara on the Lake.



Niagara on the Lake - Niagara Falls
Road to Niagara-on-the-Lake Niagara-on-the-Lake Excellent bike trail within yards of Niagara River Overnighter, Shalamar Lake Park near Niagara-on-the-lake Ivy on old print building Scenic memorial park Fantastic views from this park setting Bike path parallels Niagara Parkway Flower Clock on the bike trail Niagara Falls - American Niagara Falls - Canaadian Almost close enough to touch the water
The bikeway along the Niagara Parkway is excellent. There is one rather long hill west of Queenston but other than that this is a portion of the trail that you could visit many times. Enjoy, but remember to bring a camera.

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