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Located in the heartland of Southern Ontario, the Peel region is surrounded by an equal mix of green hills and forest and stunning blue waters. It’s closeness to the countryside and short distance from the big city of Toronto make it ideal for city folk to choose Peel region for a quick nature getaway from the hustle and bustle. Here are 27 places to go to enjoy nature in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.
Cheltenham Badlands
The Cheltenham Badlands is an incredible geographical formation that is seemingly like a landscape straight out of an adventure movie. The dramatic reddish-brown rolling hills and gullies make for the perfect setting for a long 16km nature walk where you can also learn about the Badlands through interpretive signage.
Address: Directions
Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area
Explore more than 3.7 kilometres of trails, bridges, boardwalks and public gathering areas across the new conservation area. Visitors can follow scenic routes through wetlands, grasslands, forests, and shoreline areas, with rest areas along the way and views of Lake Ontario from newly created lookout points at this new park.
Address: HFF5+9V, Mississauga
Access: Enter and exit through Marie Curtis Park (2 Forty Second St, Etobicoke)
Wahoosh Falls
Chances are, you never knew there is a waterfall in Mississauga.
This lesser-known waterfall, which is part of the Mullets Creek that empties into the Credit River, is located in a wooded area of Burnhamthorpe Road just before the Burnhamthorpe Rd bridge. Don’t wait to explore this hidden gem in Mississauga.
Albion Hills Conservation Park
Credit: Albion Hills Conservation Area
The Albion Hills Conservation Park is an engaging outdoor space with over 50 kilometres of trails. It is host to many cross-country races where large shade trees provide great conditions for hiking and running.
Address: 16500 Peel Regional Rd 50, Caledon
Details
Downtown Heritage Walking Tour
Go on a self-guided Brampton Downtown Heritage Walking Tour! This engaging tour showcases downtown Brampton’s distinctive and vibrant built, natural and cultural heritage.
Address: Downtown Brampton
Lake Aquitaine Trail
The Lake Aquitaine Trail is right by the site of a popular yearly Urban Fishing Festival. The surrounding lake teems with rainbow trout, panfish, and largemouth bass. This down-to-earth environment is surrounded by woody debris and great trails for walking and hiking.
Address: Aquitane Ave, Mississauga
Website
Riverwood Conservancy
The Riverwood Trail is located in the Riverwood Conservancy on the shores of the Credit River. This peaceful sanctuary offers trails where naturalist-guided walks and self-guided walks are held through beautiful natural features like woodlands and meadows.
Address: 4300 Riverwood Park Ln, Mississauga
Website
Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens
Explore one of Canada’s largest and publicly owned collections of rhododendrons located on the shores of Lake Ontario. Enjoy the beautiful blooms in spring and the woodland gardens year-round.
Address: 660 Lakeshore Road West, Mississauga
Chinguacousy Trail
This city trail was named after the nearby Chinguacousy Park, meaning “Land of the Tall Pines”. Following a linear park system, this 8-kilometre trail is perfect for those seeking a paved route in the city.
Address: Near Williams Pkwy & Mansfield St., Brampton
Heart Lake Conservation Park
Credit: Heart Lake Conservation Area
The Heart Lake Conservation Park has more than 8 kilometres of scenic nature trails, some running past Heart Lake. You’ll find some incredible panoramic vistas that show off the hills, flowered meadows, and hidden marshes in this vast forest.
Address: 10818 Heart Lake Rd, Brampton
Website
Claireville Conservation Area
The Claireville Conservation Area spans 848 acres of natural greenery and forest. Right by the Humber River, it is easily accessible from many spots in the GTA and is a great nearby escape to enjoy nature and see unique flora and fauna.
Address: 8180 Hwy 50, Brampton
Website
Erindale Park
Erindale Park is a large greenbelt in the city that features the David J. Culham Trail, a heavily forested pathway that includes views of the Credit River. Used by hikers, cyclists, and bird watchers, the park is also known for its abundant fish species.
Address: 1695 Dundas St W, Mississauga
Website
Meadowvale Conservation Area
Found in the historic Old Meadowvale Village, this 179-acre area comprises an Environmentally Significant Area. On your hike here, you’ll see glimpses of rare and native plants and tons of bird, mammal, and amphibian species.
Address: 1081 Old Derry Rd, Mississauga
Website
Forks of the Credit Provincial Park
Forks of the Credit Provincial Park is home to numerous significant trails in Ontario, including the Bruce trail, Dominion Trail, and Trans Canada trail. With this amazing hiking opportunity, you’ll never run out of places to explore.
Address: 17760 McLaren Rd, Caledon
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA6bzqXJ5Mk/
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Hewick Meadows
This hidden gem is a picturesque, riverfront park that has magical forest paths that run along the Credit River. Although known primarily for its fishing opportunities, walking and hiking around the area cannot be missed.
Address: 4420 Credit Pointe Dr, Mississauga
Website
White Spruce Park
White Spruce Park offers groomed and ungroomed trails and is known for its off-leash dog park. Hiking around this magnificent outdoor space offers a quiet and serene experience among green forest. Get onto the Esker Lake Recreational Trail that will take you through Brampton’s parks, green spaces and conservation areas.
Address: 10302 Heart Lake Rd, Brampton
Website
Glen Haffy Conservation Park
Credit: Glen Haffy Conservation Area
Glen Haffy Conservation Park is synonymous with tranquillity. Here, you can hike trails through mature forests and wind around the Oak Ridges Moraine and the Niagara Escarpment.
Address: 19245 Airport Rd, Caledon East
Website
Palgrave Forest and Wildlife Area
This large greenspace is a popular recreation destination on the Oak Ridges Moraine because of its varied landscapes. Featuring wetlands, ponds, forests, and meadows, each hiking trail here will stay exciting and offer a fantastic outdoor experience.
Address: Palgrave – Caledon
Website
Credit Meadows Trail
The Credit Meadows Trail wanders through the Montgomery Village and is highly accessible for wheelchairs, strollers, and children. Small ponds and Orangeville’s downtown area complement this easy hike.
Address: 3770 Nashua Dr, Mississauga
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Parr Lake North Park
Parr Lake North Park is a go-to place for relaxation and an easy hike. Right by the lake, you’ll spot people fishing, fish species, and ducks.
Address: 471 Vodden St E, Brampton
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Conservation Drive Park Trail
The Conservation Drive Park trail leads you through one of the densest forests in Brampton. In the fall months, you can witness the beautiful red, orange, and yellow fall colors.
Address: 26 Conservation Dr, Brampton
Website
Trimble Trail
Trimble Trail is located within the Belfountain Conservation Area – a beautiful space on the Niagara Escarpment teeming with a waterfall (manmade) and a suspension bridge. The trail spans 1.5 kilometres.
Address: 10 Credit Park St, Belfountain
Website
Kariya Park
Kariya Park is a green oasis in the middle of the city of Mississauga, a serene and calm Japanese-style garden with pine, gingko, and sweetgum trees that celebrates the twin-city relationship between Mississauga and Kariya, Japan. Take a stroll through the park and check out the many elements that have been placed around.
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Address: 3620 Kariya Dr, Mississauga
Port Credit Lighthouse
Walk the Port Credit waterfront to the iconic red and white lighthouse which was rebuilt in 1991 to replace the original lighthouse destroyed by fire in 1936. Port Credit Lighthouse is a working lighthouse since Port Credit is an international border entry point into Canada by water. The deck offers a great view of the Credit River, as well as the beautiful harbour and the village of Port Credit.
From the lighthouse, enjoy a leisurely walk (or drive) to J.C. Saddington Park to enjoy nature on the banks of Lake Ontario.
Address: 105 Lakeshore Rd W, Mississauga to 53 Lake St, Mississauga
Lakefront Promenade Park
Visit Lakefront Promenade Park and Marina to forget that you are in fact in the middle of one of the most populous areas of Canada. Though not exactly a place for hiking, this is the place to go if you like to watch boats and other watercraft taking to the water.
Address: 135 Lakefront Promenade, Mississauga
Jack Darling Memorial Park
Walk, relax or run at this beautiful park on the shore of Lake Ontario.
Address: 1180 Lakeshore Rd W, Mississauga
Etobicoke Creek Recreational Trail
The name tells you what to expect. The trail that traverses both Mississauga and Brampton kilometres takes you along the creek through parks, urban forests and wildflower fields.
Don Doan Recreational Trail
Previously known as the Professor’s Lake Trail, Don Doan Recreational Trail is a 23.3-kilometre trail that traverses predominantly suburban areas and takes you through the east side of Bramalea neighbourhoods and to Brampton’s popular beach and public swimming area, Professor’s Lake.
Alton Side Trail
Alton Mills is a beautiful place to visit, home to galleries, a heritage museum, café and unique shops. Hike the Alton Side Trail that links the easterly terminus of the Grand Valley Trail and the Bruce Trail at the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park that leads to a scenic outlook providing a spectacular view of the rolling Caledon hills.
