Nokiidaa – Park Trail

Length – 18 km (one way)

90% park path
10% roads, crossings, detours

Elevation – Mostly follows the river in a gradual slope, with one hill—yes, only one medium sized climb.

Terrain – Smooth asphalt for the majority of the middle section, with some crushed stone and gravel at each end of the path; also some boardwalks and bridges.

Skill – Easy

Traffic – Nice weekends are busy, with the typical users of Park trails.

Maps – A map is found at the trailhead and there are signs on the trail; there are no signs where the trail splits.

Facilities – Washrooms are located in Newmarket Park and at two Aurora Park centres; places to eat can be found in Newmarket.

Highlights – Old Newmarket, bridges, locks, and wetlands; enjoy carved wooden statues and wildlife.

Trail Fee – Free

Phone – None

Website – City of Aurora, City of Newmarket

Similar Trails – Highland Creek, Greenway, Humber River

Local Clubs – Uxbridge Cycling Club,   Newmarket Eagles Cycling Club

Access – There are numerous entry points; refer to map for parking locations.

The Nokiidaa (Tom Taylor) bike trail is a popular Park trail from Aurora to Newmarket.

On any given weekend, locals cruise this path that runs along the creek and turns into the Holland River. Nokiidaa is an Ojibwa word that translates to “walking together”.

Enjoy a very scenic path that changes landscape as it winds through the valley, among the subdivisions, and into pockets of wooded trees and fields.

This park path is very well-maintained consisting of smooth asphalt.

You will find crushed gravel above Green Lane as well as in the south a few kilometres from the end of the trail’s end in Aurora.

There is only one moderate hill to get around the golf course (near the middle); otherwise your cruise is free and easy as it meanders along the creek.

Starting in the south end, this Park trail has ample signage and connects well to other paths, going through many underpasses to avoid car traffic. There are a few crossings over roads that require you to jog over to reconnect.

About half of the pathway is shaded, with the rest open parkland. At some point the path splits and runs on either side of the creek. They are equally worth doing, and both are optional on the return.

I personally found the west side more to my liking. Here, the trail splits off several times and leads into friendly neighbourhoods.

A lack of signs can have you question which way to go…

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