Hamilton Conservation Authority: winter trails near Hamilton
Hamilton Conservation Authority manages 75.9 km of cross-country ski trail and 62.7 km of snowshoe trail in the Ontario Trail Network, across 25 named trails. The trails lie around Hamilton.
Trail conditions and fees: www.conservationhamilton.ca
Open the full Ontario Crown land map
Cross-country skiing
Snowshoeing
Trails
| Trail | Length | Winter use | Also open to |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dundas Valley Conservation Area Trails Welcome to the Dundas Valley Conservation Area - a favourite destination of any outdoor enthusiast. The valley's 1,200 hectares of Carolinian forests, fields, cold-water streams and stunning geological formations are home to an array of rare plants, |
40 km | Snowshoeing | |
|
Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail Completed in 1996, the 32 km Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail represents the third and final portion of an 80 km route of the abandoned Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway that was converted into a multi-use interurban recreation trail. This system, |
31.3 km | Cross-country skiing | Hiking or Walking, Cycling, Equestrian |
|
Chippawa Rail Trail, City of Hamilton Section When completed, this 15-kilometre abandoned rail corridor linking Hamilton with Caledonia will become part of the Niagara branch of the Trans Canada Trail. It will also be connected to the Caledonia-to-Dunnville rail trail. Approximately 12 kilometre |
12.4 km | Cross-country skiing | Hiking or Walking, Cycling, Equestrian |
|
Dofasco 2000 Trail The second Millennium project of the Hamilton Conservation Authority, this 11.5-kilometre trail will links the 1812 Battlefield House Museum, Devil's Punch Bowl Conservation Area, Vinemount South Swamp and Bruce Trail. The Dofasco 2000 Trail will eve |
11.5 km | Snowshoeing | Hiking or Walking, Cycling |
|
Round the Lake Trail Explore pine plantations, circle the lake or head to the west side of Middletown Road to hike the Wildlife Area. Christie Lake never disappoints when it comes to nature! Round the Lake: 5.6-kilometre loop. |
6.4 km | Cross-country skiing | Hiking or Walking, Cycling |
|
Quarry Trail Fletcher Creek Ecological Preserve is a unique natural area. An abandoned quarry was rehabilitated, resulting in the creation of a rare type of wetland. The area also includes boardwalks and stunning views. Quarry Trail: 4.3-kilometre figure-eight lo |
4.7 km | Cross-country skiing | Hiking or Walking, Cycling, Equestrian |
|
Crook's Hollow Heritage Trail Following the close of the American Revolution in the late 1700's, Upper Canada became a haven for United Empire Loyalists escaping the United States, many of whom made their way from Niagara to the western end of Lake Ontario where they had been gra |
3.9 km | Snowshoeing | Hiking or Walking |
|
Boardwalk Trail Hiking at Valens Lake is beautiful any time of year. Hike through the trees, with views of the lake, cross the 300-metre boardwalk, or fishing bridge which crosses the lake. Boardwalk Trail: 3.2-kilometre loop. |
3.8 km | Cross-country skiing | Hiking or Walking, Cycling, Equestrian |
|
Monarch Trail The trail begins near Hemlock Grove, crosses Sulphur Creek and heads east. Past the Resource Management Centre, it descends to a tributary of Sulphur Creek then rises to the steep hills above, passes through an abandoned orchard, and loops back to th |
3.7 km | Snowshoeing | Hiking or Walking, Equestrian |
|
White-tailed Deer Trail Explore pine plantations, circle the lake or head to the west side of Middletown Road to hike the Wildlife Area. Christie Lake never disappoints when it comes to nature! White-tailed Deer: 2.6-kilometre loop. |
3.2 km | Cross-country skiing | Hiking or Walking, Cycling |
|
Spring Creek Trail This trail begins at the John White Trail close to the Trail Centre, follows the Spring Creek valley eastward, crosses Sanctuary Park, and ends at Warren Park in Dundas. Parking off of Sulphur Springs Rd. The Dundas Valley's 40-kilometre trail system |
2.6 km | Snowshoeing | |
|
Lakeview Trail Hiking at Valens Lake is beautiful any time of year. Hike through the trees, with views of the lake, cross the 300-metre boardwalk, or fishing bridge which crosses the lake. Lakewood Trail: 2.4-kilometres one-way. |
2.4 km | Cross-country skiing | Hiking or Walking, Cycling, Equestrian |
|
Tanager Trail There’s more than just heritage buildings at Westfield! Walk the recreational trail system which passes by a couple of ruins sites and though the forest. This unique location offers a step back in time and through the woods. |
2 km | Cross-country skiing | Hiking or Walking, Equestrian |
|
Chinquapin Oak Trail There’s more than just heritage buildings at Westfield! Walk the recreational trail system which passes by a couple of ruins sites and though the forest. This unique location offers a step back in time and through the woods. |
1.8 km | Cross-country skiing | Hiking or Walking, Equestrian |
|
Giant Swallowtail Trail There’s more than just heritage buildings at Westfield! Walk the recreational trail system which passes by a couple of ruins sites and though the forest. This unique location offers a step back in time and through the woods. |
1.7 km | Cross-country skiing | Hiking or Walking, Equestrian |
|
Open Field Trail Hiking at Valens Lake is beautiful any time of year. Hike through the trees, with views of the lake, cross the 300-metre boardwalk, or fishing bridge which crosses the lake. Open Field Trail: 1.5-kilometres one-way. |
1.6 km | Cross-country skiing | Hiking or Walking, Cycling, Equestrian |
|
Hill & Dale Trail Explore pine plantations, circle the lake or head to the west side of Middletown Road to hike the Wildlife Area. Christie Lake never disappoints when it comes to nature! Hill and Dale: 1.1-kilometres one-way. |
1.2 km | Cross-country skiing | Hiking or Walking, Cycling |
|
Reforestation Trail Much of this part of the Dundas Valley has been cleared of its original forest. The major portion of the Reforestation Trail traverses a pine plantation established in 1957. The valley's 1,200 hectares of Carolinian forests, fields, cold-water stream |
1 km | Snowshoeing | |
| Ski Loop #1 | 0.7 km | Cross-country skiing | Hiking or Walking |
|
Sugar ShackTrail There’s more than just heritage buildings at Westfield! Walk the recreational trail system which passes by a couple of ruins sites and though the forest. This unique location offers a step back in time and through the woods. |
0.7 km | Cross-country skiing | Hiking or Walking, Equestrian |
|
Rabbit Run Trail Hiking at Valens Lake is beautiful any time of year. Hike through the trees, with views of the lake, cross the 300-metre boardwalk, or fishing bridge which crosses the lake. Rabbit Run Trail: 0.5-kilometres one-way. |
0.6 km | Cross-country skiing | Hiking or Walking, Cycling, Equestrian |
| Ski Loop #2 | 0.6 km | Cross-country skiing | Hiking or Walking |
|
Chinmaya Trail There’s more than just heritage buildings at Westfield! Walk the recreational trail system which passes by a couple of ruins sites and though the forest. This unique location offers a step back in time and through the woods. |
0.4 km | Cross-country skiing | Hiking or Walking, Equestrian |
|
Lowland Trail Explore pine plantations, circle the lake or head to the west side of Middletown Road to hike the Wildlife Area. Christie Lake never disappoints when it comes to nature! |
0.2 km | Cross-country skiing | Hiking or Walking, Cycling |
|
Woodland Trail Hiking at Valens Lake is beautiful any time of year. Hike through the trees, with views of the lake, cross the 300-metre boardwalk, or fishing bridge which crosses the lake. |
0.2 km | Cross-country skiing | Hiking or Walking, Cycling, Equestrian |
"Winter use" is what Hamilton Conservation Authority permits on the trail, not a grooming report: check the organization before you go. Lengths are from the Ontario Trail Network.
Campgrounds within 40 km
Most private campgrounds close for winter; call ahead. Winter camping on Crown land is covered in our winter camping guide.
- Cedars Campground — Millgrove, 10 km
- Pine Valley Park — Flamborough, 12 km
- Fernbrook Resort — Freelton, 17 km
- Flamboro Valley Camping Resort — Flamborough, 17 km
- Chiefswood Park — Ohsweken, 18 km
- Maple Grove RV Resort — Puslinch, 21 km
Other trail networks within 60 km
Source: Ontario Trail Network trail segments, Land Information Ontario (Open Government Licence – Ontario), updated August 2025. Trail names, uses and descriptions are as supplied by Hamilton Conservation Authority to the network.