This is a fun run in the southwestern part of Hamilton that combines paths along the Niagara Escarpment, several parks, and some of the city’s famous stair paths. Start near downtown at Southam Park, where there’s stair and bike access to the lower city. Run along the gravel Bruce Trail for 1.8 km, and reach the Dundurn Stairs (326 steps!) and Chedoke Stairs at 3 km (297 steps). Continue along the Chedoke Radial Trail, passing Westcliffe Falls (3.3 km), and Mountview Waterfall (4.2 km), reaching a scenic lookout at Princess Falls at 5 km.
Dundurn Stairs. Google Street View
For the return, you can retrace your steps, or for variety, take Scenic Dr. (road), which features nice homes and passes Chedoke Falls (8.7 km). You can also take the Bruce Trail, which is just south of the Chedoke Radial Trail, and is a bit more rugged.
Add-Ons: For a longer run, continue on our Escarpment Rail Trail & Stairs route, featuring more stair paths, just 1.5 km east at Corktown Park. Combining these two routes would be ~25 km and 2,800 stair steps!
This is a fun run in the southwestern part of Hamilton that combines paths along the Niagara Escarpment, several parks, and some of the city’s famous stair paths. Start near downtown at Southam Park, where there’s stair and bike access to the lower city. Run along the gravel Bruce Trail for 1.8 km, and reach the Dundurn Stairs (326 steps!) and Chedoke Stairs at 3 km (297 steps). Continue along the Chedoke Radial Trail, passing Westcliffe Falls (3.3 km), and Mountview Waterfall (4.2 km), reaching a scenic lookout at Princess Falls at 5 km.
Dundurn Stairs. Google Street View
For the return, you can retrace your steps, or for variety, take Scenic Dr. (road), which features nice homes and passes Chedoke Falls (8.7 km). You can also take the Bruce Trail, which is just south of the Chedoke Radial Trail, and is a bit more rugged.
Add-Ons: For a longer run, continue on our Escarpment Rail Trail & Stairs route, featuring more stair paths, just 1.5 km east at Corktown Park. Combining these two routes would be ~25 km and 2,800 stair steps!
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Essentials
Up to 11.3 km (7 miles) out and back or loop option
228 feet (69m), not including the stairs
Southam Park, near downtown
Stairs and Bike access point to lower city at Southam Park
The signature run trail in Hamilton. A gorgeous, paved multi-use path runs right along Lake Ontario, with unimpeded views of the water, incorporating multiple waterfront parks. The full route, east to Pier 7 and west to Princess Point, is 12.8 km.
Scenic waterfront path that runs for 13 km between Burlington and eastern Hamilton. The paved mult-use trail is mainly along Hamilton Beach and Burlington Beach, with uninterrupted views of the water. Choose a section!
An easy and centrally located trail run. 4 km of trails around Princess Point and through Cootes Paradise, and then another 3 km around the campus of McMaster University and along Spencer Creek.
A scenic, off-road run in Burlington's Hendrie Valley -- a combination botanical garden, arboretum, and preserve. Our 8 km out and back is on trails leading through featuring forested slopes with towering trees, marsh, and four creeks.
A unique running experience in Hamilton! Run on a path along the Niagara Escarpment and get the heart rate up on a series of stair paths that connect to Hamilton's Upper and Lower sections. If you do all the stair paths, it's 2,800 total steps!
Choose a section of the Hamilton-Brantford Rail Trail for an off-road run of any length. The gravel multi-use path starts near McMaster University and heads for up to 37 km west to Brantford. Farmland type terrain, and a nice tree canopy in sections.
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Essentials
Up to 11.3 km (7 miles) out and back or loop option
228 feet (69m), not including the stairs
Southam Park, near downtown
Stairs and Bike access point to lower city at Southam Park
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!