Outdoor Christmas Events

Winter Wagon Rides, Winterlit, Mountsberg Conservation Area
These two events do not start until December 26th, but I’m telling you about them now so you can make reservations. The horse drawn wagon rides take you through the meadows, wetlands and sugar bush and your guide will share interesting details along the way.Wintrily is an illuminated walk through the woods. Two of Mountsberg trails (the Sugar Bush trail and the Winterlit trail) have both been decorated with lights so make sure you go when it’s dark.

Lakeside Festival of Lights, Spencer Smith Park
Walk the Burlington waterfront to see over 60 festive light installations

Westfield Heritage Centre
I mentioned this one before, but this Sunday is the last Sunday to visit while the shops are open. You can still hike the trail and see the village anytime, but if you want to tour the buildings and shop for last minute Christmas gifts, this is the Sunday to do it. Westfield.

Light Up The Hills, Halton Hills
Take a walk through three parks in Halton Hills that have been decorated with light displays.

Winter Wonders, Royal Botanical Gardens has transformed Hendrie Park into a winter wonderland, focused on ‘nature and light’ the displays tell the stories of unique winter wonders. Wednesdays to Sundays until December 23, the RBG Express is also running, get your tickets at the door or pre-order here

Hiking

Bronte Creek North Trail, Hwy 5 & Sutten Dr.
This trail is about 6kms, out and back trail, it’s not heavily used in the winter and has lots of off shoots if you wanted to make it longer. Great views, railway tracks and bridge. Park at John William Boich Public School, head east along Hwy5, once you cross over Bronte Creek you’ll see the trail on the north side of the highway.

Rockcliffe Loop, Blacks Woods, Waterdown
This specific loop is about 4km but there are so so many trails in the Blacks Woods that you have a lot of options to make this hike as long or as short as you want, lots of ups and downs, railway, streams and wildlife. Rockcliffe Rd. Waterdown.

Brant Hills, Central and LaSalle Park, Burlington
New Winter Story Walks at Brant Hills, Central and LaSalle Parks, more Info here

Scenic Drive and Radial Rail Trail, Hamilton
This is a 4km easy loop trail with two waterfalls (Westcliff and Cliffview Falls). Parking Lot at Upper Paradise and Scenic Dr.

If you’re looking to stay in town, in Halton you can find trails at Westbrook Park (Mississauga St, Oakville), Sherwood Forest (Fairview St, Burlington), Mill Pond (Margaret St, Milton). In Hamilton some options are the McMaster Forest Trail (Lions Club Rd), Trenholmes Park (Milkyway Dr), Valley Park (Paramount Dr).