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The northern half of Hamilton offers an excellent variety of biking daytrips for local and visiting cyclists alike. From the Aldershot GO Train you're just minutes from the Waterfront Trail south to Dundurn Castle and the West Harbour. Transfer to the GO bus and in 20 minutes you're biking the Trans Canada Trail west from McMaster U.

Explore Hamilton's northern Flamborough region. Starting from the GO bus 'park 'n ride' at Aberfoyle, ride the Lafarge Trail south then it's east along old roads and historic countryside. From the Burlington GO train discover nearby Hamilton Beach, Confederation Park and Red Hill Valley bikeways - all in one day!

Recommended for all riders - Aberfoyle route is quite strenuous - some bike lanes are in traffic. Use the Hamilton Bike Routes, Trails & Parks (pdf) and Top 10 Hamilton Bike Routes maps to stay safe and get the most out of your rides. Before you go: Read the BikesandTransit Travel Blog - Hamilton - North. Staying overnight? For cycling-friendly accommodations visit WelcomeCyclists.ca!

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ALDERSHOT - GO Train to RBG, Cootes Paradise and West Harbour

The Aldershot train station is your launching pad for some great cycling. This route takes you along the Waterfront Trail through Burlington neighbourhoods and on to the Royal Botanical Gardens, Dundurn Castle, Hamilton's West Harbour and its Marine Discovery Centre and HMCS Haida.

Bikes and Transit Maps

Google Map: Hamilton West Harbour from the Aldershot GO Train
Hamilton Bike Routes, Trails & Parks .pdf
Waterfront Trail maps below
Top 10 Hamilton Bike Rides - from Smart Commute Hamilton

Bike Route Notes

Exit Aldershot train station to the southeast, cross the parking lot to Masonry Cr, to Waterdown Rd south
Head to Plains Rd W (bike lane) and turn right / west
Or continue south on Waterdown to join the Waterfront Trail west at North Shore Blvd
Plains Rd and the Trans Canada Trail will lead you past the Royal Botanical Gardens and west to York Blvd south
The bridge at Old Guelph Rd. is closed to cars - but open to bikes - and pedestrians!
Once on York - ride the east sidewalk south (it is the Waterfront Trail), or cross to the bikelane on the west side
Historic Dundurn Castle is just past the bike stairs, go ahead and double back
At the bottom of the bike stairs, turn left for a short ride on the Desjardins Trail. Return for a nice long ride east along the inner harbour to the Marine Discovery Centre
Return to Aldershot to return home. Hamiltonians catch HSR Bus #1 from downtown to Aldershot to start your daytrip!

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ABERFOYLE - GO Bus 'park 'n ride' to Lafarge Trail and Aldershot GO

The greenbelt of north Hamilton is great horse country, and great bike country too - especially the five kilometres down, down, down the Niagara Escarpment to catch the GO train. Put your bike on the GO bus in downtown Toronto, transfer at Meadowvale, and you're off at Aberfoyle to ride the Lafarge Trail and Middleton Rd. south to Aldershot.

The ride heads east on Harvest Rd., Rock Chapel, Valley, Patterson, York, Old York, and Snake Roads. Have dinner on main street Flamborough, if you've time. Then it's south down Waterford Rd. to the train, GO bus or HSR bus home.

Bike Route Maps

Route Notes

Weekdays only - suggested for adults only. Be sure to talk to the bus driver about where you're headed, to make sure you're on the bus that transfers to Aberfoyle at the Meadowvale GO train station. The driver will radio ahead to garantee your transfer.
Take the GO Bus #21 (Milton) from the GO Bus Terminal at Union Station, transfer at Meadowview to Bus #29 or Bus #48 (U of Guelph) to the Aberfoyle 'park n ride'.
CAUTION: From the GO Bus stop at Aberfoyle, take Maclean Rd. west only, past quarries - watch for gravel trucks! - to 2nd Concession south to Gore Rd. and the Lafarge Trail. Highway 6 should be avoided!
The Hamilton Bike Routes, Trails & Parks bike map is best to show you the way to Aldershot station. The Burlington Cycling Map (pdf) will get you to Appleby.
The Top 10 Hamilton Bike Routes map is essential to carefree riding along the northern lip of the escarpment to Waterdown Rd.

Travel Blog

Be sure to read BikesandTransit Travel - Hamilton - North before you go!

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MCMASTER UNIVERSITY - from the GO Bus to the Trans Canada Trail

Hamilton is a city dominated by the spectacular Niagara escarpment - and there's no better way to see it than on a bicycle. This rail trail bike ride ascends slowly upward 15 kms to "The Summit". Turn around or head all the way to Brantford. It's all downhill from there!

The trail from McMaster U is also accessible by HSR transit and the GO bus from downtown and the Aldershot GO station.

Google Bike Map: Rail Trail from McMaster U - to Brantford

Bike Route Notes

From the McMaster transit parking lot, cross the street to the bike path on the west side.
Head north or south from there. Follow the Hamilton Bike Routes, Trails & Parks map.
Follow closely through the detour at Dundas, Baldwin and Olgilvie
Once you're on the rail trail, you're on your way!
It's 15 kms to "The Summit" - at the top of the cliff with a small pond.
The rail trail climbs the Escarpment at an almost perfect ascending angle.
There are benches to rest, no food, but there is a rail trail centre to visit.

Transit Schedules

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HAMILTON BEACH & CONFEDERATION PARK - from the Burlington GO

One of the most interesting bike rides in the whole region, the route from the Burlington GO Station to Hamilton Beach, Confederation Park and the north trailhead of the Red Hill Valley Trail, can't be beat. Hamiltonians: ride to Burlington or Aldershot train stations and take transit home!