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The southern half of Hamilton is a great inter-modal travel destination in the Greater Golden Horseshoe area. Cyclists from Durham, Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville and Burlington are never far from biking the Niagara Escarpment - Hamilton style!

With the help of Hamilton Street Railway Co. buses and bike racks, ride from the GO train in Burlington or - catch an HSR bus from Old Burlington - across the Lake up to the trailhead of the Red Hill Velley Trail, and three rail trails: the Escarpment, Chedoke and Chippawa. Hamiltonians: study the transit map to transfer HSR buses to ride great trails, rail trails and surrounding country roads.

Recommended for experienced riders of all ages - trips can be shortened (turn back any time) to accomodate different levels of expectation. Best follow the Hamilton Bike Routes, Trails & Parks (pdf) map at all times. Read all about it on BikesandTransit Travel: Hamilton - South. Click to view the Hamilton - South by Bikes and Transit Slideshow.

 

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HAMILTON SOUTH - Red Hill Valley Trail, Escarpment, Chedoke + Chippawa Rail Trails

One of the most characteristic and memorable bike rides across the region, or anywhere, this route uses city bus and bike rack to get up Hamilton's legendary escarpment. They don't call it "The Mountain" for nothing! From there it's a choice between three different directions, and at day's end a quiet ride along the Waterfront Trail to the GO train or HSR bus in Burlington.

Google Maps:

Transit Schedules:

Trip Highlights:

  • Start out early enough to make this a great day. At any time it's easy to cut the suggested routes short by turning around on the trail and heading back to your transit drop off point.
  • Hamiltonians, ride your bike to Burlington for dinner and come home by bus and bike rack!
  • Escarpment, Chedoke and Chippawa Rail Trails are well signed. Bring a Hamilton Bike Map along nonetheless.
  • There is little opportunity to purchase food and refreshments along these routes, so be sure to bring plenty along with you.
  • All the trails featured on this page are hardened gravel or asphalt - a semi wide tire at least is recommended.   

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HSR Bus #11 Parkdale - from Old Burlington to Hamilton South

Jump off the GO Train in Burlington at the Appleby station and ride south - on the Centennial Trail - to Old Burlington and the HSR bus terminal (at John St. & Pine St.). Hop HSR Bus #11 Parkdale, and be transported to the Hamilton trailheads of the Red Hill Valley trail (north), Escarpment & Chedoke rail trails (west) and Chippawa rail trail (south).

Here's the google map of the HSR #11 bus route between Hamilton and Old Burlington.

Here's the HSR #11 Parkdale bus schedule (pdf), between Hamilton and Old Burlington.

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RETURN - Hamilton Beach to Burlington GO Train

The short bike route from Hamilton's Confederation Park along Hamilton beach to the Burlington GO Station, can't be beat. Hamiltonians: ride your bike to Aldershot, Burlington or Appleby train stations, and take the HSR #1 King bus home!

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The HSR Pilot Project

BikesandTransit.com's Hamilton Street Railway Co. Pilot Project (2010/2011/2012) highlights a selection of HSR bus routes (with bike racks) to get from downtown Hamilton to great bike rides along the city's waterfront, across the lake, up the escarpment, down the valley, and into the greenbelt.

Be sure to first pick up/print up copies of the HSR Transit Guide and Hamilton Cycling Map. Both maps cover all bus and bike routes within the Hamilton boundaries, and more, including the Burlington side of Lake Ontario and Hamilton's West Harbour. 

Central - Downtown

Hamilton GO Centre - Ride from the GO Train, GO Bus and HSR Bus - View in Google Maps

South - Greenbelt

HSR Bus #27 Upper James - runs from downtown on Upper James St. to the Mountain Centre Transit Loop - between Twenty Rd. E and Dickenson Rd E. Get off at the loop, and ride Twenty Rd. east to the Chippawa Rail Trail (TC Trail) south, or follow the Hamilton Bike Map east, south or west and enjoy the greenbelt.

Southeast - Red Hill Valley

HSR Bus # 21 Upper Kenilworth - runs to the Mountain Brow Loop - from there take Limerideg Rd a bit west to find the Escarpment Rail trail south to Lake Erie, and north all the way to downtown Wellington St. - OR - Head up Mud St. a bit to access the Red Hill Valley bike trail north to Barton Street, Nash Rd. and Hamilton's new bicycle pedestrian bridge over the QEW to Confederation park and the Waterfront Trail.

Waterfront Trail - Red Hill Valley

HSR Bus #2 Barton - runs east from downtown, to Bell Manor Loop. From there, cycle Grays Rd. north to Hamilton Beach Trail / Waterfront Trail, or get off a little earlier just before Nash Rd. for the Red Hill Valley bikepath north and south.

Coach Canada - East - Take HSR Bus #11 to the corner of Queenston Rd. and Parkdle Ave. to transfer to the Coach Canada bus east Grimsby, Beamsville, Port Colborne... and more great cycling destinations. 

West - Chedoke and Brantford Rail Trails

HSR Bus # 7 Locke - is just a short ride up Dundurn St to the Hillcrest Loop and the nearby trailhead of the Chedoke rail trail west. Turnaround at the Bicycle pedestrian Hwy 403 overpass - it's all downhill all the way back!

HSR Bus #5 Delaware - takes you west out of town. get off at Main St. & Ewan Rd. to find the Rail Trail all the way to Brantford.

North - Old Burlington

HSR Bus #1 King - runs from downtown to the Aldershot GO Train + GO Bus station - ride back along the Waterfront Trail to Cootes Paradise, Dundurn Castle and (take the bike stairs down to) Hamilton Harbour.

HSR Bus #1 King - continues on to Burlington and Appleby GO Train stations - from the Appleby station ride the Centennial Bikeway southwest to downtown old Burlington, from the Burlington station take the bikelane on Brant St. south to the Burlington Bikeway/Waterfront Trail all the way to Confederation Park. 

HSR Bus #11 Parkdale - runs to/from Hamilton east to the Old Burlington waterfront - ride the bus - and bike rack - there, and your bike back... or vice versa!