The best dog-friendly hikes and walks around Oakville

Glen Abbey Trail is the backbone of a green community network, linking parks, creek valleys, and woodlots through the neighbourhood. From Montrose Abbey Park, it winds north and west past connections to Indian Ridge, Taplow Creek, McCraney Creek, and Fourteen Mile Creek, making it easy to extend your walk, ride, or winter ski through a surprisingly natural corridor in the city.

The Indian Ridge Trail is a useful southern link in the Glen Abbey trail network, connecting creek valleys, woodlots, and parks. The route helps tie together Taplow, Glen Oaks, McCraney, and Fourteen Mile Creeks, offering an easy way to walk, ride, or even ski through a surprisingly green community corridor.

Leash Free Trails, as the name says, is an area where dogs can roam off leash safely, away from traffic. You and your furry friend can explore and play in expansive grassy fields, easy-to-follow dirt paths and areas of mixed woodlands. The leash-free trails are located in the day-use area. After entering the main gates, look for yellow dog signs past Parking Lot C.

At this curve of Leash Free Trails, the forest opens up to an elevated view of Bronte Creek below. It's easier to see the creek in the fall once the leaves have dropped their leaves. Nevertheless, it's a nice little viewpoint not to be passed by.

A short side trail off Leash Free Trails brings hikers down to a beach on the shores of Bronte Creek. The beach is flat and made up of hard packed brown stones and sand. Bronte Creek is very calm in this area and not too deep, great for a game of fetch with your pup.

Aldercrest Park offers a comfortable suburban stroll with paved loops, shaded tree cover and wide open lawns ideal for walking, jogging or cycling. Tennis courts add a sporty touch and the park’s location within the Glen Abbey/Nottinghill area means it’s easy to access from residential streets. Great for a quick nature break without going far, especially early morning or late afternoon.

A quiet wooded trail running along the west side of Taplow Creek, it features a compacted gravel surface suitable for walking, running, and biking. The route is shaded for most of the way and links to several neighbourhood access points, making it an easy spot to escape into nature without leaving Oakville.

A leafy neighbourhood park in the Glen Abbey area of Oakville, Nottinghill Park spans about 4.29 hectares and features four perennial flower beds, a playground, a softball diamond, and two mini-soccer fields. Easy flat surfaces and wide open green spaces make it ideal for a short, relaxed loop or family outing.