Pickering is home to an extensive network of trails perfect for hiking, cycling, walking or simply just to take advantage of the beautiful scenery. There are many informal trails through our neighbourhood parks and open spaces. Visit our Parks, Trails and Open Space Map to find the ones in your area.

Connect with your neighbouring municipalities. Explore Durham Trails is an interactive online map that offers views of trails and open spaces within all eight area municipalities.

Altona Forest

Altona Forest is approximately 53 hectares and is designated an environmentally significant area due to its ecological and historical importance.

The forest is owned and managed by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), and the Altona Forest Community Stewardship Committee assists with the planning, fundraising and implementation of the Environmental Management Plan for the forest.

Visit the Stewardship Committee's website for trail maps, guides, and more information on trail entrances.

Oak Ridges Trail
Frequent guided walks are offered for free by the Oak Ridges Trail Association. Check their website for details and leader contact.
 Seaton Hiking Trail

Located along the West Duffins Creek, this 12.7 km trail is home to a number of historic hunting and fishing routes along the creek. Tricky climbs and tracts of varying difficulty make this a great place for hiking and cross country skiing and the steep bluffs, twists and turns, and ups and downs will certainly put your endurance to the test, keep up if you can! Visit the Friends of Seaton Trail for more information.

Main Access Points (with parking)

  • Grand Valley Park - Third Concession Road west of Valley Farm Road
  • Foreststream Drive - east off Whites Road
  • Whitevale Park - on Whitevale Road
  • Highway 7 in Green River
The Great Trail (formerly known as The Trans Canada Trail)

The Trans Canada Trail system extends from Nunavut to Newfoundland and passes through the City of Pickering. The trail follows the Waterfront Trail from the west, and turns north inside the Ajax border where it follows the Duffins Creek valley to Rossland Road. The trail officially begins again at Fifth Concession Road where it passes through the Greenwood Conservation Area, and along Pickering Museum Village, then heads north along Paddock Road, through Claremont Conservation Area, and along Sideline 12 to Uxbridge/Pickering Townline Road.

Waterfront Trail

The Pickering Waterfront Trail is part of the 900 km Waterfront Trail, running along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River from Niagara on the Lake to the Quebec border.

Pickering's leg of the trail is divided into 3 sections:

  • First Nations Trail (3.5 km) - from Rouge River to the west shore of Frenchman's Bay
  • Monarch Trail (4.7 km) - surrounds Frenchman's Bay and ends at Millennium Square
  • Peak Trail (4.2 km) - from Millennium Square to the Ajax border

Main Access Points (with parking)

  • Rouge Beach Park (Scarborough) - end of Lawrence Ave. East
  • Entrance to Open Space at Bella Vista Drive - limited parking
  • Petticoat Creek Conservation Area - foot of Whites Rd.
  • Millennium Square- foot of Liverpool Rd.
  • Alex Robertson Park - near south end of Sandy Beach Rd.
  • Foot of Frisco Road - limited parking