Presented in partnership with the Trans Canada Trail.

I’ve lived in Mississauga since August of 1994 and have experienced nearly every part of the city from Meadowvale to Port Credit.

I worked in Port Credit from 2011 to 2014 and during warmer months, would venture out for walks along the lake front, not realizing I was on part of the Trans Canada Trail (TCT.)

This year, I decided to dedicate a day to exploring Mississauga’s contribution to the trail through four different locations, all conveniently located on the shores of Lake Ontario.

For all the travel that I’ve done in my 15+ year career, I was excited to adventure in my back yard.

For reference, the TCT is nearly 30,000 kilometres long and this is my second official experience this year, with the first being in Quebec’s P’tit Train du Nord.

As I’ve also reviewed new cars for the past 15 years via Modern Motoring, I decided to use an electric vehicle, the 2027 Subaru Trailseeker, as my car for this adventure.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the four parts of the trail I did, all of which are accessible and approachable for all ages and capabilities. Whether it’s a short or long voyage by foot or by two wheels, the TCT is a wonderful, free resource that’s available to everyone.

Lakefront Promenade Park

On the east side of Mississauga in Lakeview is Lakefront Promenade Park, featuring boat launches, a beach and excellent views of Lake Ontario. It’s also part of Mississauga’s extensive Waterfront Trail.
There’s plenty of free parking and you’ll see walkers, joggers, runners and cyclists enjoy this part of the TCT.
There’s a boardwalk and wildlife to enjoy, while the balance of the trail is paved for heightened accessibility.

Bring your own food and or drink to enjoy along the trail and you can launch your kayak, canoe or standup paddle board. I’ve launched my kayak from here several times and little did I know I was doing so from the TCT.

Jack Darling Memorial Park

This is one of my favourite parks because not only does it offer spectacular views of Lake Ontario but it also leads you to and through Rattray Marsh Conservation area.

The recurring theme here is approachability and accessibility, and I must’ve seen over 100 people enjoying the trail from parents pushing their children in strollers, to cyclists to walkers to runners and even those using walkers.
Jack Darling itself is a community hub with families and friends setting up shop on the grass to enjoy an afternoon together.

You can take a very short walk off the trail and reach Lake Ontario and soak in the views. On a clear day like I had, you can see the Toronto skyline as well.
Rattray Marsh uses a boardwalk system as you’re traversing through wetlands and the serenity here is unmatched. There are seating areas, lookout points, there were birdwatchers out admiring our feathered friends and there’s plenty of signage to navigate the various side trails.

J.C. Saddington Park

In the heart of Port Credit at Lakeshore and Mississauga Road is this delightful part of the TCT.
It’s so close to the liveliness of the city yet once you reach the trail, it’s a different world. The sounds of cars are replaced by Lake Ontario’s waters brushing up against the shore. The sounds of your footsteps on the path replace the buzz of city life. There’s a natural pier to walk down and get closer to the water and my visit saw a few people fishing.

As you walk westward, you’ll be graced by a few benches that allow you to slow down and gaze upon Lake Ontario for moments of peace and tranquility.
It was here that I saw the most amount of dogs being happily walked, likely due to its close proximity to Port Credit.

Lakeside Park

The furthest western point of Mississauga’s part of the TCT is at Lakeside Park.
It’s surrounded by industrial buildings and close to the Oakville border.
It’s a popular spot as there’s a splash pad, ample parking and numerous places for friends and families to gather.

For cyclists, there’s a bike repair station here, which is an excellent resource with tools and a bike pump.

Similar to the other parks here, you’ve got the chance to get up close and personal with Lake Ontario and with the plethora of smooth rocks thanks to the water, you can follow my lead by practicing your rock skipping skills.
This park feels different because it’s intention that brings you here. The other three parks are close to high levels of housing. Lakeside is one where you plan to go and know you’ll be rewarded with vivacious views, sounds of nature and an enjoyable experience on the TCT.

Click here to learn more about the Trans Canada Trail and choose your own adventures.