I love how a few hours in the fresh air wears children out. These kid-friendly Halton and Hamilton hiking trails are the perfect inexpensive way to spend a morning. Soak up some vitamin D and enjoy the calmness that a nature walk brings. Any excuse to get outdoors is a great excuse! Our family has always loved exploring hiking trails and these are our top recommendations for families.
Our Favourite Kid-Friendly Trails in Hamilton
Eramosa Karst
Address: Upper Mt Albion Rd, Stoney Creek
Parking/Admission Info: $10 per vehicle to park, no additional admission fees.
Reservations Required?: No
What Makes It Great
Part of the Hamilton Conservation group of areas, Eramosa Karst is one of the best hiking trails near me. I had never heard of it before, and attendance never seems to max out. Once I saw pictures of it I knew I had to plan a visit. A “karst” is a landscape formed by dissolving rocks like limestone, creating things like sinkholes, caves, and underground rivers.
Tips For Hiking Here
In addition to the karsts, the walking trails are ideal for any age and are stroller-friendly. There is a HUGE old tree that has split in three and provides great climbing. Be sure to take a few minutes to check out the natural spring and the views from the bench. Pack bug repellant for walking in the wooded areas, and sunscreen for walking the boardwalk.
Dundas Valley Conservation Area
Address: 650 Governors Road, Dundas
Parking/Admission Info: $10 per vehicle to park, no additional admission fees.
Reservations Required?: No
What Makes It Great
Hamilton is home to some of the best kid-friendly trails in Ontario. This trail is a favourite for our family because there is so much to see along the way. The trees offer a ton of shade. I’m certain the temperatures were at least 5 degrees cooler in their shady canopy.
The trail is smooth ground for the most part, and I saw some families easily pushing their strollers. Along the main loop, you’ll come across the replica of a Victorian railway station that serves as the area’s Trail Centre. It’s also home to washrooms.
Adjacent to it is a piece of the old Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo Railway track, with a 1929 executive coach car and a 1931 baggage car. Both were donated by the Canadian Pacific Railway. We love catching equestrians riding horseback through the woods. If you have a dog, they are welcome as long as they stay on a leash.
Streams caught our attention as we made our way to the Hermitage Ruins. The magnificent stone mansion was built in 1855 by George Gordon Browne Leith, an immigrant from Scotland. The bricks used in its building originated from the Dundas Valley clay; limestone was quarried at the Credit River valley.
The Hermitage burned down in 1934. After that, Leith’s daughter built a much smaller house among the ruins and lived there until her death in 1942. The ruins have been reinforced using wooden braces to prevent further wear. Hopefully, they will be intact for years to come.
Tips For Hiking Here
Bring your camera for some great views and photo opportunities. Also bring sunscreen and water. Take time to learn about the trains and hermitage – local history is actually cool, kids!
Chedoke Radial Trail – A Free Kid-friendly Hiking Trail
Address: 120 Beddoe Dr, Hamilton
Parking/Admission Info: Pay to park, free admission.
Reservations Required?: No
What Makes It Great
Chedoke Radial Trail was another new trail for us. The trail itself is smooth ground and stroller-friendly, making it a great option for kid-friendly hiking. We went at about 11:00 am and the trail was a mix of shade and sun.
The enormous rock wall is awe-inspiring when you think of its size. The incline is roughly 200 meters and the views at the top are beautiful. There are those famous Chedoke stairs, but zero chance I’m walking up 240+ steps if I don’t have to!
Also at this Hamilton hiking trail, there are a few waterfalls that have a current/flow that fluctuates based on the current rain conditions. One waterfall, when rushing after a rainfall, pours down onto the 403!
Tips For Hiking Here
Families of all ages were also enjoying the walk. We parked at the Chedoke Golf Course on a Sunday. The lot was busy with other families and golfers. I am pleased to report that their washrooms were accessible and open (seasonally).
Kid-Friendly Hiking Trails in Halton
Hilton Falls Conservation Area
Address: 4985 Campbellville Rd, Burlington
Parking/Admission Info: $10.50 for adults, $7.25 for kids, $8.25 for seniors, kids under 5 free. No fee for parking.
Reservations Required?: No, but if you pre-purchase your admission online you’ll save some money.
What Makes It Great
This Halton Conservation Area hiking trail is another hidden gem that was new to us. It’s a little more out of the city centre, so I expected it to be a bit less crowded, and it was.
Hilton Falls is a great spot for hiking with kids. The terrain is rocky and rooty which makes it challenging for them. Ideal for balancing and working those large muscles! Parents were manoeuvring their strollers, but some parts were a little challenging. If you have a dog, they are welcome as long as they stay on a leash.
The waterfalls and ruins are picture-worthy and the rock formations are impressive. Gather at the fire pit by the waterfall with your hotdogs or marshmallows to cook over the fire! Ideally, visit in the fall so you can see a rushing waterfall. Keep your eyes peeled for bugs, frogs, snakes and small fish.
Feeling adventurous? You can mountain bike the trails in the nice weather, or cross-country ski in the winter. I really do love these all-season Conservation Halton kid-friendly trails in Ontario.
Tips For Hiking Here
Wear good shoes that lace up because some of the ground is uneven (#nature). There are port-a-potty style washrooms along the path if the urge arises. Bring hot dogs and marshmallows and impress the kids with lunch!
Bronte Creek Provincial Park
Address: 1291 Burloak Drive, Oakville
Parking/Admission Info: $21.00 per standard vehicle for day use. Buses and campers are extra.
Reservations Required?: No
What Makes It Great
We love the various kid-friendly hiking trails near me at Bronte Creek. Trails start at the parking lot and, ranging in length from 1 km to almost 3 km, wind along the top of Bronte Creek (always be careful when hiking and biking!) to cover all of the grounds. Bronte has a great leash-free section of the park as well.
Stroll through the forest and along a stream, where, in fall, you can fish for trout and salmon, among other fish. Remind kids to look for frogs, small snakes and bugs and also the Bronte Creek cows are always grazing in the fields.
Follow the signs for the Gnome Trail and wander down a shaded path to the cutest community of painted gnome homes you ever did see. Bring a frisbee and play some disc golf. With a wheelchair and stroller-accessible trail, this is truly a family-friendly destination sure to please everyone.
Tips For Visiting
You can spend all day here, so bring a picnic lunch, snacks and water. Have some coins ready to get food for the goats who love to be hand-fed. Also bring some hand sanitizer for afterwards. Sunscreen always.
Crawford Lake, Halton Conservation
Address: 3115 Conservation Road, Milton
Parking/Admission Info: $10.50 for adults, $7.25 for kids, $8.25 for seniors, kids under 5 free. No fee for parking.
Reservations Required?: No but if you pay online you’ll save some money.
What Makes It Great
Crawford Lake is one of the most popular Conservation Halton hiking trails and for good reason! It is as full of great history as it is full of kid-friendly hiking trails. No matter what season you visit, you’re sure to love your experience.
Visit the reconstructed 15th-century Iroquoian village. The excavation between 1973 and 1987 uncovered 11 longhouses on the site and over 10 000 artifacts from the day-to-day lives of the Iroquoian people who once lived in the village. Three longhouses have been rebuilt to match archaeological findings.
Explore the village and learn about what daily life was like over 600 years ago through hands-on programs including simulated digs and fire-starting demonstrations. The Deer Clan Longhouse features exhibits that explore Indigenous art and culture.
After you’ve visited the Longhouse Village, walk the trail around Crawford Lake’s unique meromictic lake. With the boardwalk wrapping around the lake, Crawford Lake offers 5 great hikes for any season, ranging in length from 2 km to over 7 km. The boardwalk is stroller-friendly and a memorable kid-friendly trail.
Learn about species at risk as you follow along with the Hide and Seek Trail and view the enormous wooden carvings. The Hide and Seek Trail is located along the blue Crawford Lake Trail as you head toward the lake.
Tips For Hiking Here
Lots of great photo ops and views, so bring a camera. Water, sunscreen and snacks always.
Cherry Hill Gate, Royal Botanical Gardens
Address: 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington
Parking/Admission Info: Free admission, pay parking lot.
Reservations Required?: No
What Makes It Great
When I think of hiking trails near me, Cherry Hill Gate is what comes to mind immediately. It’s on the border-ish of Burlington and Hamilton and owned by Royal Botanical Gardens. The kid-friendly trail is relatively smooth and stroller-friendly. The entrance takes you down a steep-ish hill, so if it’s wet out, be warned that it could be slippery.
Once you’ve made it down, keep your eyes peeled for the huge upturned tree stump and a ton of chipmunks. As you walk the trail, be on the lookout for beavers, swans, turtles, snakes, spiders, and a variety of birds.
Much of the trail is a wooden boardwalk so very walkable. Shade is scarce along the boardwalk so go in the mornings or evenings to beat the heat. For years this was our favourite locations for hiking with kids in Hamilton and Halton. It’s easy terrain and lots for them to see and do.
Tips For Hiking Here
Parts of the trail can get muddy after a rainfall. Strollers and wagons do well here. Bring the sunscreen, but leave the bird seed at home. RBG asks us not to feed any of the animals.
Cootes Paradise Trails at RBG (Princess Point / South Shore Trail)
Address: Princess Point entrance – 335 Longwood Road N, Hamilton, Westdale entrance – 85 Oak Knoll Dr, Hamilton
Parking/Admission Info: Free admission, pay parking lot is $3/hour or a day max of $15
Reservations Required?: No
What Makes It Great
You can access a variety of trails around the Cootes Paradise Marsh, and each has fabulous kid-friendly hiking to offer. We love the area near the old Hamilton Aviary (Caleb’s Walk, Ravine Road Trail) with its packed gravel trail and lots of shade. That’s the Westdale entrance noted above.
While walking the Princess Point route, take time to stop by The Fishway when it’s in operation. Think of it as a VIP access only gate to keep invasive carp at bay while local fish are spawning. They open and close it on a seasonal schedule and it’s worth seeing.
Download the Cootes Paradise trail map here and you can expand your walk as long as you’d like! Paid parking is available at various spots around Cootes Paradise.
Tips For Visiting Here
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before…sunscreen, snacks and water for everyone.
Joe Sam’s Park Has A Kid-Friendly Hiking Trail
Address: 752 Centre Rd, Hamilton
Parking/Admission Info: Free
Reservations Required?: No
What Makes It Great
We initially visited for the excellent walking paths that take you through forests, over marshes and beside wetlands. The path was smooth and very stroller-friendly. The trail was wide, and ideal for wagons, smaller bikes and toddler exploring.
I cannot recommend this outing enough, especially to parents of young kids who need fresh air. There is also a playground right at the parking lot to entertain you before and/or after your walk. The loop is a nice size, it took us about 1.5 hours to complete, with lots of stopping for photos and exploring.
Tips For Visiting
You can bring small bikes and scooters too. Look for the bird feeders and bridges. We also saw wild turkeys! They’re big, and not very friendly, therefore keep your distance if you see them too. Stay and play at the park when you’re done. This is a popular spot for dog walks, too.
Tips for Hiking with Kids
- Bring water. I know it should be a given, but we have been known to forget, too!
- Bring snacks, too. No one wants to get hangry.
- If you’re going during spring and summer, bring bug repellent and sunscreen.
- Make sure everyone has comfy shoes. Flip-flops need not apply.
- If you want a little one to wander free, choose a location that isn’t a popular mountain biking location.
- Choose a less popular spot and discover a hidden gem.
Share Your Favourite Kid-Friendly Hiking Trails
This concludes my ever-growing list of favourite Halton and Hamilton hiking trails near me. I hope you visit one soon with your family. If you have a suggestion for more kid-friendly hiking trails, please tell me! We love sharing new Hamilton hiking trails and Halton hiking trails with our readers.
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Crawford Lake-also has FREE archery! In the summer it was held every day at 2pm. In the fall, it is at 11 am, on weekends only!
Hi Liz, thanks for the tip – It’s not online from what I can see, so hopefully it’s listed next summer and I’ll be sure to share it!
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