Accessible Trails to Discover in Ontario This Summer

Summer in Ontario means longer days, warmer air, and a whole province of trails waiting to be explored. Whether you’re looking for a quiet, paved walk or a trail that keeps you busy and runs for kilometers, there’s a route out there for you. We’ve pulled together nine trails from the AccessNow app, each one reviewed by real community members who know exactly what to look for.

Tim Jones Trail, Aurora

Part of the larger Nokiidaa Trail network that links Aurora, Newmarket, and East Gwillimbury, the Tim Jones Trail follows the Holland River valley through mixed forest, meadow, and wetland. It’s a popular family route, with paved sections and shorter loop options, and it connects directly to the Klaus Wehrenberg Trail in nearby Sheppard’s Bush, so the two make for a natural pairing if you’re up for a longer outing. Community reviewers found the compact gravel surface firm and smooth through most stretches, with wide, level entry points and a few shaded rest stops along the way. Amenities are still catching up to the trail itself, though – benches don’t currently offer adjacent space for a mobility device, and there’s no accessible washroom on site.

Saigeon Trail, Richmond Hill

The Saigeon Trail, pronounced “Say-John,” is a favourite for its wildlife sightings and paved trails. Deer, rabbits, chipmunks, and close to twenty species of birds all call it home, alongside a creek that runs the length of the valley. The trail passes French Royalist Park and threads through an old farm lane into a scenic forest. It’s wide and well-paved, but involves some real inclines, so manual chair users and anyone using a walker should be ready on either end of the trail.

Lower Don Trail, Toronto

Part of the Pan Am Path, the Lower Don Trail winds through the Don River valley past naturally eroded cliffs, wetlands, and several pieces of Toronto’s railway history, including a handful of historic bridges. It’s a trail rich in layered history. It’s also a well-used route for walking, hiking, and cycling. Folks note that while much of the path is paved, some stretches are narrower or rougher than others, with fast-moving cyclists to watch for.

Martin Goodman Trail, Toronto

The Martin Goodman Trail is Toronto’s signature waterfront trail runs a full 56 kilometres along Lake Ontario, from the Humber Bay Arch Bridge in the west to the Rouge River in the east. This multi-use path is flat and paved essentially the whole way. Many locals stick to a shorter stretch between the Humber Bay Arch Bridge and Cherry Beach for skyline views, harbour scenery, and a couple of beaches along the route. It’s a busy trail, especially downtown, so expect company from cyclists and give yourself room to stop and take in the view without getting crowded.

Trans Richmond Trail, Richmond Hill 

Roughly two kilometres long, the Trans Richmond Trail is largely flat with a mix of paved and gravel surfaces and boardwalks over two river valley crossings. Community reviewers describe it as highly accessible for manual wheelchair users, with a standout stop at Rouge Crest Park, home to a fully accessible splash pad and play features designed for all abilities.

The Arboretum Trails, University of Guelph

Spanning 400 acres and 12.5 kilometres of trails, the University of Guelph has invested seriously in accessibility in recent years to upgrade trails in The Arboretum – widening the path, smoothing the surface, and easing the grade throughout. Accessible parking is available off College Avenue East, and the Arboretum Centre itself is reachable by a sloped walkway with accessible washrooms. The Ivey Trail loop leads past several gardens with dedicated firm-surface seating built into the design. Not every trail on the property shares this level of access, but the core Arboretum experience has clearly been reimagined with more visitors in mind.

Klaus Wehrenberg Trail, Aurora 

Tucked into Sheppard’s Bush and connecting directly to the Tim Jones Trail, the Klaus Wehrenberg Trail offers a compact gravel surface with gentle curves and an open layout that keeps sightlines clear ahead. Community reviewers found the main entrance free of major barriers and appreciated the clear signage at key junctions, though looser gravel and slight inclines in places made traction trickier, and rest stops with adjacent space for a mobility device are scarce along the route.

Kawartha Trans Canada Trail, Durham Region to Peterborough

Tucked into Sheppard’s Bush and connecting directly to the Tim Jones Trail, the Klaus Wehrenberg Trail offers a compact gravel surface with gentle curves and an open layout that keeps sightlines clear ahead. Community reviewers found the main entrance free of major barriers and appreciated the clear signage at key junctions, though looser gravel and slight inclines in places made traction trickier, and rest stops with adjacent space for a mobility device are scarce along the route.

These reviews were shaped by someone with lived experience taking the time to share what they noticed – the smooth stretches, the surprise inclines, the amenities that are there and the ones that still need work. That’s what makes this kind of resource useful: real experience, not assumptions. And accessibility needs vary widely from person to person, so what worked well for one visitor may look different for you.

If you’ve walked, rolled, or explored any of these trails yourself, we’d love to hear about it. Leave a review on AccessNow web, or download the app today from the App Store or Google Play, and help the next person plan their trip with confidence.

These nine are just a starting point to the hundreds of more trails, parks, and outdoor spaces in Ontario! Explore a few for yourself, and remember to leave your review on the AccessNow app.

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