Toronto Star 2002 End-to-End Itinerary-594 km

1. Kate Harries, Vicki Barron, Marlaine Koehler, Suzie Barron and Anna Biro

Our trip begins at 6:30 a.m., with a crucial coffee stop. We've chartered a bus (a good way to handle the logistical challenges of a linear route) to Grimsby, where our first adventure ended.

2. Fifty Point Conservation Area

After a pleasant ride along Winston Road into Stoney Creek, we arrive at Fifty Point Conservation Area, a beautiful 76-hectare park, with 47 campsites (great for family camping), a 312-slip marina and restaurant. The Landing Restaurant is a great spot for a bite, and the scenery is magnificent.

3. Travelling through Stoney Creek

Lovely landscaping and quiet residential roads mark our 12 km cycle west.

4. Along the Hamilton Beach Trail

Confederation Park is an urban park with lots of areas for play. The Trail takes us out along Van Wagners Beach and then to Hamilton Beach. The Hamilton Beach Strip is a fun 4.5 km leg of our journey.

5. Burlington Canal Lift Bridge

We cross the lift bridge over the Burlington Canal and on to the shifting sands of Burlington's (link: www.city.burlington.on.ca) unique dune environment between the harbour and the lake. Bob Edmondson of Conservation Halton (link: www.conservationhalton.on.ca) and Gary Goodman talk to us about the beach environment and sand dune vegetation program.

6. Burlington Beach and Scooters

A refreshment at Scooters is a good idea! Scooters sells great icecream on a lovely section of beach. You'll see lots of families enjoying Lake Ontario here.

7. Boardwalk at Spencer Smith Park (photo by Bob Chambers)

Ian Ross from the Burlington Art Centre and Gary Goodman cycle with us to Spencer Smith Park. Along the way is the Joseph Brant Museum, featuring local history. Burlington is a busy place, the trail is an easy ride, and it goes past many interesting sites. We also stop into the Burlington Arts Centre-the gallery has wonderful exhibits and an amazing greenhouse featuring exotic plants.

8. Hamilton industrial waterfront

We loop back to the Canada Centre for Inland Waters to see the industrial waterfront. John Hall of the Hamilton Remedial Action Plan shows us how man-made islands are giving local fish and bird populations a new lease on life. We then take a fascinating boat tour with John, Marilyn Baxter of the Bay Area Restoration Council and Fred Eisenberger. For a truly interesting look at Hamilton's Industrial Revolution heritage, take a self-guided tour of the Made in Hamilton 19th Century Industrial Trail.

9. Cootes Paradise (photo by Len Simser)

We meet Councillor Marvin Caplan at Pier 4, pass Bayfront Park and the Harbour Waterfront Trail (passing below Dundurn Castle), and reach Cootes Paradise Fishway at the stunning Royal Botanical Gardens.

10. Cootes Paradise Fishway (photo by Len Simser)

Len Simser meets us and tells how the fishway prevents carp from entering Cootes Paradise, allowing small fish through while capturing those of spawning size in giant baskets that are lifted by cranes and sorted manually. When visiting, note the floating water bridge that runs parallel to the fishway.

1. Paletta Mansion

At 8:00 am we start out on Lakeshore Rd. and travel through Sioux Lookout Park with Adrian Markowiak of the City's Bikeway Committee, to Burlington's magnificent Paletta Mansion (formerly McNichol House). There more cyclists, Councillor Mike Wallace, and Manager of Recreation Marg MacVinnie join us. It's time to head for Oakville now, via a pleasant stop at Burloak Waterfront Park.
RECOMMENDED: tours of the Discovery Trail, Gatehouse and Mansion

2. Bronte Cemetery

Heading into Oakville, we stop at the foot of West Street at Bronte Cemetery, where David Carter explains work is underway to save and interpret graves threatened by erosion. Down a short set of stairs and a gravel pathway, you can go up a trail that will take you to Seneca Dr. This is a good chance to see an example of how Oakville is developing the Trail.

3. Sovereign House, at the foot of West River Street

The Oakville Community has done a great job celebrating its local heritage. Knowledgeable volunteers at Sovereign House explain Bronte's heritage and care for the impressive collection of artifacts.

4. Trail system along Bronte Bluffs

A footpath to a lookout and a set of stairs takes us down to Bronte Beach Park, where there's a concession stand and washrooms.

5. Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park, Oakville

Next we tour Bronte Harbour, where the Waterfront Trail meets the Bronte Creek Trail, part of Oakville's new Heritage Trail System. The System follows the Bronte, 16 Mile and Joshua Creeks through Oakville. The route is marked with pavilions that are loaded with great information and photos about local history and natural heritage. We meet Susan Sheppard of the Bronte Butterfly Park, which will be a year-round facility with a water feature used as a skating rink in the winter.

6. Coronation Park's amphitheater

Home to one of the waterfront's most successful and exciting festivals. The Oakville Waterfront Festival features major musical talent, local artists and a variety of family activities.

7. 16 Mile Creek

This is a lovely leg of our Oakville. Note the pavilion with interpretive panels, a part of Oakville's Heritage Trail system.

8. Heritage Pergola, Old Oakville Loop

Our Oakville tour takes us through Waterworks Park, Tannery Park, Walker Street Promenade and Shipyard Park. In short, there is a lot to see in this beautiful town. We meet Jane Hawkring at the Heritage Pergola at the Old Oakville Loop. Following our visit at the Pergola, we venture to the Oakville Museum (Erchless Estate).

9. Trail along Lakeshore

The Trail continues along Lakeshore. Burlington and Oakville have separate paths for cyclists and pedestrians and plenty of trees to provide welcome shade. Our ride takes us down to Dingle Park and then back up to Lakeshore.

10. Gairloch Gardens

At these gorgeous gardens, we dismount our bikes and follow a path system through the formal gardens, galleries and gift shop.

11. Joshua Creek Trail

We tour the river trail that goes to Joshua Valley Park. This is one of many river trails that connect to the Waterfront Trail and is a wonderful side trip. Joshua Creek is a part of the Heritage Trail system. Stairs with a bike ramp take you to the creek floor, where the trail continues for another 10 km. It's 5:30 and getting time to board the bus again.