Windsor Hiking Trails for a Full Elevated Day Outdoors

With a little planning, Malden Park and the Windsor Riverfront Trail can fill an entire day with wooded paths, waterfront views, public art and two very different looks at the Windsor–Detroit skyline. Add lunch and a post-hike drink at a licensed local spot, and you have an easy weekend plan that feels like more than just another walk.

Stop One: Malden Park Loop

Start the morning at Malden Park, located at 4200 Malden Road.

Popular trail maps describe an easy loop of approximately 3.4 kilometres, or 2.1 miles. The City of Windsor does not designate one single official “Malden Park Loop,” however. Instead, it describes a broader network of paved, wood-chipped and off-road paths spread throughout the 175-acre park.

That is good news for anyone who likes a plan but does not need every step choreographed. Follow the main paths for a casual loop, extend the walk around the park’s three ponds or explore another marked section when the group is feeling ambitious.

The paths are easygoing, but this is not a completely flat walk. Malden Park’s rolling terrain adds enough climbing to wake everyone up before the main viewpoint.

The view from Essex County’s highest hill

The headline attraction is the observation area at the top of the highest hill in Essex County.

From here, you can look across Windsor’s west end toward the Detroit skyline and the Gordie Howe International Bridge. The observation area includes benches, railings, binoculars and wayfinding signage, so there is no need to rush straight back down. Sit for a few minutes and take in the view. Your step count can wait.

The park’s mix of hills, ponds and wooded sections makes it feel removed from the city without requiring a long drive out of town.

Review the official Malden Park information before your visit for current notices or trail updates.

How much time to allow

Set aside approximately 60 to 90 minutes for a relaxed loop, including the climb and a stop at the observation area. That estimate will vary depending on your chosen route, pace and how long the group spends attempting skyline photos.

Wear comfortable shoes. Some sections are paved, while others have wood chips or more natural surfaces. After rain, expect the unpaved portions to be softer or muddier.

Take a Midday Break

After Malden Park, head toward central Windsor for lunch.

This is a good time to refill water bottles, grab an iced coffee or pick up another non-alcoholic drink before the longer waterfront walk. Bring a snack too, especially when you plan to complete most or all of the riverfront route.

Keep alcoholic drinks out of the parks. Windsor’s parks bylaw prohibits possessing or consuming alcohol in a park unless it is covered by an authorized permit and the required provincial approval.

In other words: water on the trail, pint afterward. Easy.

Stop Two: Windsor Riverfront Trail

The afternoon walk trades Malden Park’s hills and wooded paths for open water, public art and uninterrupted city views.

The Windsor Riverfront Trail follows the Canadian side of the Detroit River, passing through a chain of waterfront parks between the Ambassador Bridge, downtown Windsor and the Walkerville area. The surface is predominantly paved and flat, making it suitable for a comfortable walk, run or bike ride.

One commonly mapped point-to-point version between the Ambassador Bridge and Great Western Park measures approximately 9.5 kilometres, or 5.9 miles. Other official and tourism maps describe shorter individual sections or longer connected cycling routes, so the distance depends on exactly where you begin and finish.

Choose your riverfront plan

You have two good options.

Walk the full point-to-point route: Begin near the Ambassador Bridge and continue east toward Great Western Park. Arrange for someone to pick you up at the far end, use a taxi or rideshare, or leave a second vehicle near your finish point.

Choose a shorter out-and-back walk: Start near the Windsor Sculpture Park or Dieppe Gardens, walk until the group has had enough skyline time and return the same way.

The shorter version is often the smarter choice after a morning at Malden Park. There are no bonus points for turning a pleasant day outside into an accidental endurance event.

What You Will See Along the River

The Detroit River stays beside you for much of the walk, with Detroit’s towers lining the opposite shore.

Closer to the Ambassador Bridge, the waterfront passes through Windsor’s outdoor sculpture collection. The Windsor Sculpture Park contains more than 30 large-scale contemporary works positioned throughout the riverfront green space. It turns part of the hike into an open-air gallery—with significantly better ventilation than most museums.

Farther east, the route moves past central waterfront landmarks, gardens, Festival Plaza and open parkland. Benches provide plenty of places to stop, watch boats or simply enjoy the fact that Detroit looks particularly good from Canada.

Explore the City of Windsor’s outdoor Sculpture Park guide before leaving and choose a few pieces to look for along the way.

What to Bring

Keep the day simple:

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Refillable water bottle

• Sunscreen and a hat

• Light rain layer

• Bug repellent for wooded sections

• Phone charger or battery pack

• Snacks

• A transportation plan for the riverfront finish and evening drinks

Check the forecast before leaving and reconsider the exposed riverfront section during thunderstorms, extreme heat or strong winds.