Ajax Waterfront – Park Trail

Length – 13+ km (one way)

95% park path
5% road, detours

Elevation – Flat sections with rolling, gentle hills on a coastline hillier than expected, due to small bluffs.

Terrain – Wide with paved asphalt; very little sand or gravel.

Skill – Easy

Maps – Well-marked by large map boards at entrance; follow the white centre line.

Traffic – This is a popular trail on sunny weekends, so expect other bikes, walkers, kids, strollers, dogs, joggers—it’s busy.

Facilities – Street parking, washrooms, playgrounds, and park benches.

Highlights – Enjoy waterfront views, biking over bridges, past marsh wildlife and beaches; note the nuclear plant and wind turbine.

Trail Fee – Free.

Phone – 416-943-8080

Website – Waterfront Trail,  Town of Ajax

Similar Trails – Rouge Waterfront,  Beaches Boardwalk,  Hamilton Beach

Local Clubs – Durham Cycling Club, Oshawa Cycling Club

Access – Start your journey at one of the many parking lots along the path. Lake Driveway W. Ajax is in the middle of the route. The Pickering GO Train station is close by, just north of where you can start, for those who do not want to drive.

The 13 km Ajax Waterfront trail, on the east side of Toronto, has some of the best waterfront Park trail along Lake Ontario.

I recommend this section as it is very scenic, paved, and free of cars. The views of the lake are almost continuous; something, unfortunately, lacking on the west side of Toronto.

Surprisingly, there are a few rolling hills along the route and it winds nicely so as not to make things boring. Most of the trail follows the tops of the low cliffs along the lake.

Cruising along here provides many opportunities to stop and go to the water’s edge. Expect a cooler ride with that lake breeze, which is welcome on a hot day.

Along the route are enough comfort stations and benches to sit on and gaze out over the water.

I suggest starting this section of the trail at Frenchman’s Bay Marina in Pickering, located at the bottom of Liverpool Rd.

From here, one can ride east to the Lynde Shores Conservation Area.

Continuing east, the first part takes you around the ominous nuclear plant and past a giant wind turbine.

Then, you are back by the lake and will cross Duffins Creek via a long metal bridge that is an excellent viewpoint.

Beyond this is open parkland and small beaches. You can turn back at Shoal Point Rd., or go up and…

Read more of this review in my trail guidebook with better maps, and suggested parking available as an eBook or paperback.