Easy hikes and walks around Clarington

Bowman Valley Trail is a mostly paved route that follows Bowman Creek through a wooded green corridor in the heart of Bowmanville, with peaceful sections that run under beautiful, mature trees. Despite passing through an urban area, much of the trail feels surprisingly removed from the surrounding town as it winds alongside the creek through forest and floodplain. In autumn, you can often see salmon moving upstream, with several benches along the way, perfect for a lovely break to enjoy the quiet scenery.

The Goodyear Dam sits along Bowman Creek near the former Goodyear site and was built in the 1920s to supply water for the factory. Today, the dam serves as a barrier to invasive sea lamprey, with a fish ladder and bypass channel allowing salmon and trout to continue upstream during seasonal spawning runs. In the fall, you can see lots of fish gathering below the dam, making this a popular stop along the trail.

Bowman Creek flows south from the Oak Ridges Moraine through farmland and Bowmanville before emptying into Lake Ontario. Through town, the creek runs through a wooded valley corridor and is home to plenty of wildlife, including birds, fish, and blue herons, so keep an eye out as you walk along its banks. Seasonal salmon and trout runs make the creek popular with anglers, so you’ll likely spot a few casting a line while you’re here.

Wilmot Creek flows through the heart of the Orono Crown Lands, carrying both a rich natural ecosystem and a unique place in Canadian history. As the site of North America's first full-scale fish hatchery, established in 1866 by Samuel Wilmot, the creek played a pivotal role in early conservation efforts to restore Atlantic Salmon to Lake Ontario. Today, the clear, cold waters remain a destination for nature enthusiasts, particularly during the seasonal migrations of Rainbow Trout and Pacific Salmon. Winding beneath a canopy of mature forest, the creek offers a tranquil setting for those looking to witness the enduring legacy of one of Ontario's most significant heritage waterways.

The Orono Crown Lands offer a 633-acre natural escape on the site of a former provincial tree nursery. Located just west of Orono village, the area features 13 kilometers of well-marked trails that wind through mature evergreen forests and hardwood groves. The property is bisected by Wilmot Creek, one of Ontario’s premier cold-water streams, which draws a wide variety of wildlife to its clear waters.

Samuel Wilmot Nature Area is a protected natural space located along the north shore of Lake Ontario. The park features a mix of wetlands, shoreline habitat, meadows, and forest, creating an important refuge for birds and other wildlife. Several easy walking trails and boardwalks wind through the wetlands and along the lakeshore. The area also offers access to a small beach where visitors can enjoy views of Lake Ontario.

The Waterfront Trail is a mostly paved 3.7-kilometer path that connects King Street to Lake Ontario. It’s ideal for a scenic walk or run along the waterfront.

A rocky, quiet lakeside beach along Lake Ontario, it’s less developed than nearby beaches, which keeps it peaceful and ideal for a picnic or simply watching the waves. You can access it from the parking area of Courtice Shore Trail by taking a short side trail that leads to the water. You’ll find pebbles and driftwood, and you can walk along the shore and see the bluff formations, giving it a wild, coastal vibe.