Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) and some of its trail partners celebrated Hamilton’s extensive trail network last month with a Trails Open event at the Eramosa Karst Conservation Area. HCA, Hamilton Walks and the Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club were on hand to provide regional trail information, and the Friends of the Eramosa Karst (FOTEK) led a hike along the area’s trails. Cycling Hamilton joined the group to give visitors a sneak preview of the not-yet-released Waterfalls Cycling Guide, a companion to the Hiking Hamilton Waterfalls Guide.

As far as Hamilton trails go, the 32- kilometre Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail, the Lafarge 2000 Trail, conservation area trails through the Dundas Valley and Spencer Gorge, RBG trails through Cootes Paradise, the Bruce

Trail, and the Hamilton Harbour Waterfront Trail are among the most popular and well-used in the west and central areas of Hamilton. But here on the east Hamilton/Stoney Creek Mountain, our trails are developing as fast as the city.

This year, the HCA portion of the East Mountain Trail Loop (EMTL) will be under construction. This trail will join together waterfalls, conservation areas and city parks including Albion and Felker’s Falls, Mount Albion, Eramosa Karst and Valley Park to create a linked green space package. What’s more, it is the first step in linking all of our area’s wonderful existing trails. The Chippawa Rail Trail to Caledonia (also part of the Trans- Canada Trail), the Bruce Trail, the Escarpment Rail Trail and the Red Hill Valley Trail will all be accessible from the EMTL.

Even more exciting is that construction is already underway to erect a pedestrian/ cyclist bridge over the QEW, linking the Red Hill Valley Trail to the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail at Confederation Park. In fact, next year’s Trails Open event is planned to be celebrated in the east end of Confederation Park to celebrate this new trail connection.

If you can’t wait for these new trails to be finished, there’s even more good news for trail enthusiasts. The Dofasco 2000 Trail boardwalk was completed earlier this year, so you can now travel the path from end to end without interruption or detour. The trail takes you from the Devil’s Punch Bowl Conservation Area all the way to 87 Acres Park, with a boardwalk section through the Vinemount Swamp Forest: the largest remaining forest on the east Mountain south of the escarpment.

With our ever-growing population, the need for healthy living opportunities grows as well, and our trail system provides just that. So I encourage you to get out and explore some of these trails and the unique and wonderful natural areas they pass through. Go for a walk, take in some fresh air, and please remember to share the trail.

Brian Hall is superintendent of the Hamilton Conservation Authority’s Hamilton Mountain conservation areas. If you would like to write in this space, call editor Gord Bowes at 905-523-5800 ext. 335 to discuss your idea.