Hit the Trails!

One of the best things about summer in Oakville, aside from all the great patios and festivals that abound, are the amazing trails at our doorstep for walking, hiking and biking. And I do mean “at your doorstep”- nearly every Oakville area has its own system of trails. A great way to get active, find some shade, be with nature and change up your dog walking is to find a path by your house and see where it leads!

City hall and the recreation centres and www.Oakville.ca all have maps and brochures to help you plan your cycling, walking or running route. There are over 300KM of trails meandering through the town! My experience is that they all seem to be maintained, so usage is safe and accessible. The town website breaks down all the trails by area and gives you the access points by trail section.

There are many Heritage Trails with great points of interest and long histories. My favourite heritage trail is the Waterfront Trail. It runs from Burloak Drive on the West to Winston Churchill Drive on the East; it follows the Lake Ontario shoreline. These trails have over 80 information stations along the way that tell stories abut the landscape and its history. What gets better than that? A little history lesson coupled with your outdoor social or alone time. And a sustaining lemonade or wrap is always close by at one of the many downtown eateries.

The town has also launched an interactive “Cycle, Walk Oakville” map. This allows cyclists and pedestrians to plan their route by taking advantage of the trails. Oakville Mayor Rob Burton is very committed to making active transportation an accessible choice for residents. The map also highlights recreation spots such as splash pads and pools and amenities such as washrooms, parking and water fountains along your route. It’s a great way to plan and avoid surprises on a longer jaunt across town. If you work in town, getting there by bike is probably an option!

If you go to www.alltrails.com you can look up Oakville trails and read reviews and detailed descriptions. It’s really a great way to plan a family outing and know that Grandma or the 5-year old won’t be left behind!

My favourite walking companion is my golden retriever Holly. I like to change it up a bit in the summer for her and hit the trails instead of just circling the block like we tend to on those cold winter mornings. She’s the best excuse to get me out and moving. Oakville also has great leash-free dog parks. They’re all fully fenced and allow her the opportunity to run with friends while I do the same! These can all be found on www.oakville.ca.

Our Oakville trails are truly one of the joys of summer, get out and explore!