Regional Municipality Of Halton: Shorelines, Forests and Cycling Routes

More than 25 km of Lake Ontario shoreline are among the distinctive features of Regional Municipality Of Halton: residents and visitors can access the waterfront there. Forests, wetlands, waterfalls and trails also offer a wide range of outings.

Shorelines, Forests and Waterfalls

Halton Regional Forests cover 695 hectares across 14 sites. Their wooded areas, wetlands and meadows provide a range of habitats for wildlife, including several rare species. Single-track trails in the Regional Forests are used by hikers, cross-country skiers and snowshoers. Both the variety of habitats and the use of the trails shape this natural setting.

At Crawford Lake Conservation Area, an elevated boardwalk circles a pristine lake on the Niagara Escarpment. Those who would rather see a waterfall can visit an observation platform overlooking a 10-metre-high waterfall at Hilton Falls Conservation Area. It can be viewed there year-round. The boardwalk and observation platform offer different highlights: a lakeshore in a distinctive setting on one hand, and a view of a waterfall on the other.

Compare Swimming and Cycling Routes

At Kelso Conservation Area, visitors can swim at a supervised beach on a 35-hectare lake and rent a boat. Bronte Creek Provincial Park has a 1.8-acre swimming pool, one of the largest artificial swimming pools in North America. This offers two different ways to spend time by the water: a lake with a beach and boat rentals, and a large pool.

Cycling routes also vary in length and elevation gain. The Tour de Trafalgar is 43 km long with 173 metres of elevation gain. Campbellville Crossroads covers 42 km with 215 metres of elevation gain, while Velodrome Vista, at 50 km and 310 metres of elevation gain, is the longest and has the most elevation gain of the three. Check current route conditions before setting out.

Local cycling routes connect cyclists to GO stations via multi-use trails and designated bike lanes. In Halton, the Ontario's Waterfront Trail passes through communities at the Royal Botanical Gardens, La Salle Park and the Art Gallery of Burlington. This adds an overview of other locations and connections to the figures for individual routes.

Culture and Seasonal Experiences

In the local municipality of Oakville, Oakville Museum offers tours of the Chisholm family home. The museum also features an exhibition on Oakville’s Black history and the multimedia presentation “The Underground Railroad - Next Stop Freedom!” In Milton, Mattamy National Cycling Centre serves both as a recreational facility for the community and as a venue for provincial, national and international events. It is currently considered the only velodrome of its kind in Canada.

In Halton Hills, large lime kilns and a 19th-century powder house at Limehouse Conservation Area are reminders of Ontario’s heritage. Seasonal offerings provide another kind of experience: farms in Halton Hills offer berry picking in spring and summer, as well as pumpkin patches and corn mazes in fall. In Acton, the OVINO sheep farm currently offers farm tours with tastings of sheep’s milk and yogurt on weekends from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Since times may vary, check the offering in advance.

Plan Your Hotel Stay Around Your Interests

When searching for a hotel, the focus of your stay can help you decide: would you like to enjoy the shoreline and nature, compare cycling routes, or plan for culture and seasonal farm tours?

Discover more destinations: Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Acton, Halton Hills, Muskoka District Municipality, Lennox And Addington County, Dufferin County.

Go to the main travel overview: Ontario.