Upper Etobicoke – Park Trail

Length –  20 km + (one way)

90% park path
10% road, detours

Elevation – follows the Upper Etobicoke Creek and is rather level with a gradual incline going north. A few dips to go under bridges.

Terrain – all asphalt, some gravel patches, dirt path at south end

Skill – Easy, Intermediate, Advanced if ride it all

Highlights – parkland, bridges, homes, exercise stations

Trail Fee – free

Facilities –  parking, washrooms?  benches,  local services

Maps – maps at some intersections, signs on trail –

Phone – 905 874 3601

Website – City of Brampton

Similar Trails – Humber, Nokiidaa,  Highland Creek

Local Clubs – Caledon Cycling Club, Brampton Cycling Club

Access –  large parking lot at 58 Church St. E. and Ken Williams Dr. Many other start points with parking.

To do the official detour, one has to leave the path and ride the road down and around, connected to the stairs that take you to the south section. This requires going west on Church St., south on Main St., crossing busy Queen St. at the light. To connect through, head down Main, then left at Wellington St. E. to the stairs at the end of this street.

This is the longest Park trail in Brampton and runs 20+ km along the upper Etobicoke Creek. This meandering route is perfect for riders looking for a cruise on a weekend afternoon.

The path is all paved and easy to pedal, as there are only a few small hills.

Most of the ride is manicured parkland, with small wooded areas giving the occasional shade. One passes through many neighbourhoods, providing views of homes, playgrounds, and sports fields.

One section is unusual; it has exercise stations with fancy metal workout equipment you may use. Add a few bench presses to your outing, or just relax on the many park benches.

There are plenty of malls nearby to get lunch or take a washroom break; good to note as I did not see any “relief” on the trail.

Although well-marked with signage most trail arrows are very small (too small), so pay attention to the many paths branching off that simply lead to the top of the valley and then end.

This Park trail is split into two sections, of about equal length due to a rather abrupt 1.4-km detour through the centre of town.

This was done to get around some water culverts the city put in. Perhaps, one day I hope, this concrete disaster will be naturalized, and the trail will carry through, as it should.

I suggest first doing north 10 km. This route connects well with…

Read more of this review in my trail guidebook, plus 64 others. Featuring better maps, more parking locations and elevation graphs. Available as an eBook or paperback.