Exploring Hiking Trails in York Region.
Here’s a helpful guide to exploring hiking trails in York Region (strictly within Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Newmarket, Aurora, Stouffville, East Gwillimbury, King, Georgina, etc.).
York Region offers a great mix of easy paved/multi-use paths, moderate forest trails, and more rugged options on the Oak Ridges Moraine.
York Regional Forest The Star Attraction
The York Regional Forest spans over 2,300 hectares with more than 150 km of trails across 22+ public tracts. It features forests, wetlands, kettle lakes, and wildlife.
Many trails allow hiking, walking, biking (in designated areas), and snowshoeing in winter. Almost 7 km are accessible for wheelchairs/strollers.
Key Tracts & Trails (popular ones):
Nobleton Tract (5345 15th Sideroad, King Township) — Site of the Birding 101 guided walk this Sunday, May 3 (6–8am or 9–11am, ages 10+, free, registration required). Good for spring birdwatching and forest walks.
Davis Drive Tract (17242 McCowan Road, Whitchurch-Stouffville). Family-friendly guided tree-planting and nature walks; has wetlands and easier paths.
Eldred King Tract – Popular moderate loops with nice forest scenery (often recommended on AllTrails).
Happy Valley Tract (King Township) – Features sections of the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail with rolling hills, mature forest, and views.
Hall Tract, Hollidge Tract, and North Tract (Whitchurch-Stouffville area) — Include accessible trails (1.5–1.7 km sections).
Other notable: Bendor & Graves, Brown Hill, Cronsberry, Metro Road, Pefferlaw, and Porritt Tracts.
Tips: Download the free Everyday Guide to the York Regional Forest (PDF with maps) from york.ca. Â Use the interactive trail map on york.ca/recreation/trails or apps like AllTrails for user reviews and GPS.
Official Resources:
York Regional Forest main page – View Info
Markham
Milne Dam Conservation Park Loop — Moderate ~3.5–6 km loop with river views, bridges, lily pads in season, and diverse wildlife. Great for families.
Bob Hunter Memorial Park (Monarch Trail & Tanglewood Trail) – Easy to moderate trails through woods and open fields; excellent for birding and wildflowers.
Rouge Valley sections and Toogood Pond for shorter scenic walks.
Newmarket
Fairy Lake Loop – Very easy ~1.8 km accessible loop around the lake, central and family-friendly.
Tom Taylor Trail along Holland River – Up to 8+ km, easy-moderate, dog-friendly, with varied scenery and picnic spots.
Nokiidaa Trail (Green Lane area) – Multi-use path good for longer outings.
Richmond Hill
Beaufort Trail – Connects several parks (Beaufort Hills, Black Willow, etc.) for a pleasant linked hike.
Oak Ridges Trail sections for more elevation and views.
Aurora / Other
- Aurora has community arboretum trails and connections to regional paths.
- Bruce’s Mills Conservation Area (near Stouffville/Markham border) — Wooded trails with some water features.
- Boyd Conservation Area (Vaughan area) — Nicer river and forest hikes.
Longer Challenge
The Oak Ridges Moraine Trail runs through York Region (part of a 275+ km system). Sections in Happy Valley Forest or Eldred King offer rewarding ridge walks with elevation changes.
General Hiking Tips for York Region (May)
This weekend (May 1–3): Spring is excellent — wildflowers, migrating birds, and greening forests. The Birding 101 at Nobleton Tract is a standout guided option.
Weather/Prep: Trails can be muddy/wet in early May. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, insect repellent, and check for ticks. Many areas are dog-friendly (leash rules vary).
Accessibility: Look for marked accessible sections in the York Regional Forest (Hall, Hollidge, North Tracts).
Apps & Maps: AllTrails is highly recommended for real-time reviews and tracking. York’s interactive map is useful for planning.
Rules: Stay on trails, pack out trash, respect wildlife. Some tracts have seasonal restrictions or shared use with bikes/horses.