or pick your starting city — the number is how many trails we list.
Pick your drive. Save time for the trail.
177 trails within 2 hr of Hamilton by car. Compare the drive, the walking time and the level to choose your next outing.
Photo : Lions Valley Park
Drive times are estimates (≈) from the city centre, as the crow flies. Walking time comes from the trail page when it has one; a walking filter hides trails without a duration.
Drive ≈ 51 min
Explore 100 m of elevation gain through lush forests and open meadows in Ontario's Hamilton, Halton, and Brant region.
Dog rules: check the trail page
See the trailDrive ≈ 1 hr 27 min Walk 1 hr 15 min
Experience towering limestone cliffs rising 90 meters above Lake Ontario on this 3.2 km easy trail near Toronto. Easy trail of 3.2 km, 85 m of climb, suitable for children.
Dogs allowed
See the trailHamilton, Halton and Brant
Drive ≈ 4 min Walk 1 hr 30 min
Level: Easy Dogs allowed
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Drive ≈ 5 min Walk 1 hr 30 min
Level: Moderate Dogs allowed
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Drive ≈ 11 min Walk 2 hr 30 min
Dogs allowed
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Drive ≈ 13 min Walk 1 hr 30 min
Level: Moderate Dogs allowed
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Drive ≈ 22 min Walk 1 hr 15 min
Dogs allowed
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Drive ≈ 23 min Walk 1 hr
Level: Easy Dogs allowed
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Drive ≈ 24 min Walk 1 hr 30 min
Level: Hard
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Drive ≈ 30 min Walk 45 min
Level: Easy Dogs allowed
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Drive ≈ 30 min
Dogs allowed
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Drive ≈ 35 min Walk 2 hr 30 min
Level: Moderate Dogs allowed
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Drive ≈ 35 min Walk 1 hr
Level: Easy Dogs allowed
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Drive ≈ 35 min
Level: Easy Dogs allowed
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Drive ≈ 46 min Walk 4 hr 15 min
Level: Moderate Dogs allowed
Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington
Drive ≈ 50 min Walk 2 hr 15 min
Level: Moderate
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Drive ≈ 51 min Walk 3 hr 30 min
Level: Moderate Dogs allowed
Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington
Drive ≈ 51 min Walk 50 min
Level: Easy
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Drive ≈ 52 min Walk 1 hr 15 min
Level: Easy Dogs allowed
Greater Toronto Area
Drive ≈ 57 min Walk 1 hr 30 min
Level: Easy Dogs allowed
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Drive ≈ 59 min Walk 30 min
Level: Easy Dogs allowed
Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington
Drive ≈ 1 hr 3 min
Level: Easy Dogs allowed Public transit listed
Southwest Ontario
Drive ≈ 1 hr 3 min Walk 45 min
Level: Easy Dogs allowed
Greater Toronto Area
Drive ≈ 1 hr 5 min Walk 30 min
Level: Easy Dogs allowed
Greater Toronto Area
Drive ≈ 1 hr 6 min Walk 1 hr 15 min
Level: Moderate Dogs allowed
Greater Toronto Area
Drive ≈ 1 hr 9 min Walk 3 hr 30 min
Dogs allowed
Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington
Drive ≈ 1 hr 10 min Walk 3 hr 30 min
Greater Toronto Area
Drive ≈ 1 hr 15 min Walk 1 hr 15 min
Level: Easy Dogs allowed
Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington
Drive ≈ 1 hr 15 min Walk 45 min
Level: Easy
Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington
Drive ≈ 1 hr 19 min Walk 45 min
Level: Easy
Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington
Drive ≈ 1 hr 19 min Walk 3 hr 30 min
Level: Moderate Dogs allowed
York, Durham and Headwaters
Drive ≈ 1 hr 21 min Walk 1 hr 35 min
Level: Easy
Greater Toronto Area
Drive ≈ 1 hr 21 min Walk 1 hr 30 min
Level: Moderate Dogs allowed
Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington
Drive ≈ 1 hr 21 min Walk 30 min
Level: Easy
Greater Toronto Area
Drive ≈ 1 hr 25 min Walk 1 hr 15 min
Level: Easy Dogs allowed
York, Durham and Headwaters
Drive ≈ 1 hr 26 min Walk 3 hr 45 min
Level: Moderate
York, Durham and Headwaters
Drive ≈ 1 hr 26 min Walk 1 hr 20 min
Level: Easy Dogs allowed
Greater Toronto Area
Drive ≈ 1 hr 27 min Walk 1 hr 15 min
Level: Easy Dogs allowed
York, Durham and Headwaters
Drive ≈ 1 hr 30 min Walk 1 hr 30 min
Level: Easy Dogs allowed
York, Durham and Headwaters
Drive ≈ 1 hr 30 min Walk 1 hr 30 min
Level: Easy
York, Durham and Headwaters
Drive ≈ 1 hr 33 min Walk 2 hr 30 min
Level: Easy
York, Durham and Headwaters
Drive ≈ 1 hr 36 min Walk 3 hr 45 min
Level: Easy Dogs allowed
York, Durham and Headwaters
Drive ≈ 1 hr 39 min Walk 2 hr 30 min
Level: Moderate Dogs allowed
Greater Toronto Area
Drive ≈ 1 hr 42 min Walk 2 hr 30 min
Level: Easy Dogs allowed
Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington
Drive ≈ 1 hr 42 min Walk 1 hr 15 min
Level: Easy
York, Durham and Headwaters
Drive ≈ 1 hr 43 min Walk 2 hr 30 min
Level: Moderate
York, Durham and Headwaters
Drive ≈ 1 hr 44 min Walk 1 hr 15 min
Level: Moderate Dogs allowed
York, Durham and Headwaters
Drive ≈ 1 hr 46 min Walk 45 min
Level: Easy
Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington
Drive ≈ 1 hr 50 min Walk 1 hr 25 min
Level: Moderate
York, Durham and Headwaters
Drive ≈ 1 hr 57 min
Level: Moderate Dogs allowed
York, Durham and Headwaters
Drive ≈ 1 hr 58 min Walk 2 hr 15 min
Level: Moderate Dogs allowed
Bruce Peninsula, Southern Georgian Bay and Lake Simcoe
Drive ≈ 2 hr Walk 1 hr 15 min
Level: Easy Dogs allowed
Niagara Falls New York
Drive ≈ 1 hr 21 min Walk 45 min
Level: Easy Dogs allowed
Niagara Falls New York
Drive ≈ 1 hr 23 min Walk 45 min
Level: Easy Dogs allowed
Niagara Falls New York
Drive ≈ 1 hr 31 min Walk 2 hr 15 min
Level: Easy Dogs allowed
Niagara Falls New York
Drive ≈ 1 hr 54 min Walk 1 hr 15 min
Level: Easy
No trail matches these filters. Widen the drive or remove a filter.
Think about the way back, the breaks and the parking.
Opening hours, parking and access conditions can change with the season.
Changing weather can make some trails harder.
Match the length and the level to your group and the time you have.
This trail page lists public-transit access. Check schedules and connections before you go.
See the trail pageSpring
Spring hiking in Hamilton typically begins in April when temperatures reach 10-15°C and trails start to dry out from winter snow melt.
The Bruce Trail sections near the Dundas Valley offer excellent spring wildflower viewing, though mud can be an issue on lower elevation trails until May. Pack waterproof boots and dress in layers as weather can be unpredictable during this shoulder season.
Summer
Summer brings ideal hiking conditions to Hamilton with temperatures ranging from 20-25°C and long daylight hours extending until 9 PM.
The Escarpment trails provide cooler temperatures and shade, making them perfect for hot days, while early morning starts are recommended for exposed sections. Carry plenty of water, wear sun protection, and be prepared for occasional thunderstorms in the afternoon.
Fall
Fall is arguably the best season for hiking around Hamilton, with comfortable temperatures of 10-18°C and spectacular autumn foliage peaking in early to mid-October.
The Bruce Trail along the Niagara Escarpment offers stunning views of colorful maple and oak forests, while shorter daylight hours mean planning hikes to finish before 6 PM. Layer clothing as temperatures can vary significantly between morning and afternoon.
Winter
Winter hiking in Hamilton requires proper preparation with temperatures often dropping below -5°C and snow covering trails from December through March.
The rail trail conversions and lower Bruce Trail sections remain accessible with microspikes or snowshoes, offering peaceful winter landscapes. Dress in moisture-wicking layers, carry extra food and water, and stick to well-marked trails as daylight is limited to about 9 hours.
The page lists 177 trails. The closest is Sam Lawrence Park (≈ 2 min drive from downtown), the farthest York High Point, Ontario (≈ 2 hr). Drive times are estimated as the crow flies.
28 trails are within ≈ 30 min of driving, 69 within ≈ 1 hr, and all of them within ≈ 2 hr. These are estimates from downtown.
Among the trails on this page, the most viewed on Let's Go Play Outside are Lions Valley Park, Bond Lake and Dundas Peak.
101 listings give a length, from 1.2 km (Mast Trail) to 170 km (Jimmie Simpson Park). The other 76 do not say.
Yes: among the trails on this page that give a level, 99 easy, 23 moderate and 3 hard. The closest easy ones: Sam Lawrence Park, Princess Point Trail and Tiffany Falls Trail.
82 listings say dogs are allowed and 0 say they are not. For the other 95, the rule is not confirmed: check the trail page before you go.
3 listings say access is free, including Riverwood, Huron Natural Area and Greenwood Conservation Area among the closest. For the others, free access is not confirmed: check the trail page.
Free guide: 25 hikes under 2 hours from Montreal
Drive time, distance and level for each one. The ones we go back to ourselves.
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