Waterfront Trail, Lake Ontario

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The American Appalachian Trail may have its legendary "thru-hikers,' but Lake Ontario's Waterfront Trail can claim a growing list of "end-to-enders." They're the recreational enthusiasts who have covered every centimetre of the 700+ kilometre trail from the Quebec border all the way to Niagara-on-the-lake.

All along the Waterfront route, communities are adding new stretches of dedicated trail, more water's edge promenades and new linkages to other trails and greenways (including the national Trans Canada Trail). With each new addition, the Trail attracts more walkers, joggers, cyclists, in-line skaters, birdwatchers and strolling sightseers.

The Waterfront Trail is a marvel of community cooperation and waterfront regeneration. It passes through dozens of cities, town and villages, and hundreds of natural areas, parks and promenades. It connects with beaches, marinas, heritage sites, and cultural attractions, providing a recreational ribbon of outdoor adventure and urban exploration along Lake Ontario's north shore.

While the Trail leaves lots of room for those who thrive on long-distance hikes or marathon rides, most Waterfront end-to-enders are likely to earn their bragging rights by pedaling their bicycles, cooling off at sandy beaches, and sipping wine on the terraces of country inns. For them, the physical challenge of the trip is only a footnote to the revelation - sometimes overwhelming - that the north shore of Lake Ontario is a place of unexpected beauty and colourful, crucial history.