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The trail up the Credit River is one of my favorites. It's relatively short in km's but offers a challenge with its up and down hill sections and variety of terrain. It takes you through woods, past fishing spots, through parks, on road through Streetsville. It's a relatively new trail, but unlike the Humber and Don trails, it is less urbanized than those trails are. Thank you Counselor Culham, the city,  and others who negotiated and pursued, what I consider, the jewel of Mississauga-- for all of us to enjoy for generations.

The Credit - Culham is the only path that connects you north of Hwy 403. There are no cycle paths in Mississauga that take you under the 401 There are no paths that connect to Brampton and beyond.

Erindale Park

The trail description begins at Erindale park and heads northward. There is ample parking should you drive here to begin your trek, Cycling from mid city, the Burnhamthorpe trail is safest - although that will drop you well north of the park. If you're comfortable with some heavy on road traffic, you can plot a reasonably safe route for an adult to drop down to Dundas St.

From the south and the Waterfront trail, take the Mississauga Rd/ Oakridge trail cross Dundas street and turn east to cross the Dundas bridge and follow the north  sidewalk a short distance further east to the main park entrance.

If you have time for a pause or are beginning from here, tour the park and take in the views, watch people fishing, roller blading, jogging, barbecuing, taking in the sun or study the plaques about the park that describe it's colorful and interesting past. Most of the park lies on the bottom of what used to be a man made lake created by damming the Credit for Electrical power generation. I have hunted for the remains of the tunnel that connected the lake to the power turbines on the south side of Dundas but have so far come up empty. In earlier days, there would have been grist and sawmills dotted along the river.

The main cycle path is on the east embankment of the river, just up from the river proper. You'll pass by the pedestrian bridge that links to the park's west areas (and sawmill creek trail) and continue to head north over a small creek and into the cooler woods. Continue past the re enforced bank where you'll often see people casting their lines for fish as you head towards Burnhamthorpe. On the west bank, you'll see the shale formation, a common sight to the rivers (See Etobicoke Creek) and the backgrounder at the bottom of this page. 

Burnhamthorpe Span

Remember I mentioned some up and down sections? You climb the east bank just before the Burnhamthorpe span, then cross under the span and keep to the river by heading down again, as the trail forks here to climb up and connect with the Burnhamthorpe trail passing overhead.

For those coming along the Burnhamthorpe trail, you'll pass the corner of Credit Woodlands, east of Erindale GO and see a bus shelter with a brick retaining wall beside a dirt roadway. Head down this dirt roadway (brakes working?!) through the parking lot and past the break in the chain fence. Turn right, and curve down to the foot of the Burnhamthorpe span where you connect to the Culham trail. Turn left to head to Erindale Park, or fork to the  right to continue north and follow the trail as it heads towards the 403 Highway.

Connections: Burnhamthorpe Trail

Highway 403 Span

Continue north through to cool woods and wetlands until you see the next major highway span. That'll be the 403 Highway overhead and some people stop by the river to pause the view. Did I mention there'll be some up and down hills? Continue under the 403 and pump up the gravel twisty trail to the top grass lands under the hydro lines. Southbound bikes proceed with caution as I see many wide tire tracks as they hit the brakes at the bottom just as others are slowly pumping their way up in low gear on the northward trek.

After you've caught your breath (you'll be doing that a few times on this trail) from climbing up the embankment, you'll continue in a eastward direction with power lines on the north side and the 403 visible on the south. Then the path turns back north under the hydro towers and a short on road leg. You exit the path onto Wellsborough then turn west when you meet Credit Pointe. Not even a block, keep your eyes for the Hewick Meadows Park sign on the south side of Credit Pointe. The south path is hidden between houses, and you'll probably see its north path first, so look for the sign and rejoin and follow the path as it turns and immediately curves down (brakes still working?) back to the river valley. You'll come along side of the river once again along a railed and re enforced bank then zig back into the woods again then zag back out along a railed embankment. Zig back into the woods as you approach the Eglinton Span.

Eglinton Span

At Eglinton, there is a steep dirt road up the bank providing access from Eglinton Ave, although I don't know what it looks like atop. The main trail goes under the Eglinton span then head across the pedestrian bridge to the west bank. On the west bank, the trail continues northward to the Green roofed ADM mill plant where the bike trail ends at a junction. To the right is an old railway bridge that crosses back to the east side residential area, and to the left is the ADM plant parking lot. Continue straight along the steel cycle way, then down the gully, then climb back up to cross the railway tracks where the trail exits onto Barbertown Rd.

Barberton - Streetsville

Cycle westward along Barberton Rd. past the chapel on the south side until you reach Queen St. in Streetsville. A reserved  bike lane  takes you partway through Streetsville up until the train tracks near the Streetsville GO. Cross the train tracks and continue on road northward along Queen St. You'll ride on Queen for about 2 blocks, keep you eyes open for a right turn at Church St. On church (not even a block in) you'll come across the car entrance to the Streetsville Memorial Park where the Bread and Honey festival is held each year. Yup, you're heading down the steep car road to the park below, walk if necessary because you'll be continuing along the trail through the children play ground. Look for the path on the other side of the play area go turn north in front of  the pedestrian bridge and cycle along the west bank until you reach Bristol Rd.

At Bristol Rd, turn right and stay on the south sidewalk and cross bridge to other side of the river. The trail continues on the north east bank just after the Bristol Rd. bridge. Here, be careful to watch for cars as it can be dangerous (especially for children to cross the road).

  Rivergrove

Head along the trail back down to the river valley. Follow the trail through the woods, sometimes curving and get ready for the hair pin climb. This is where a mountain bike, in first gear, might be easier than a ten-speed roadster. The hair pin climb is a very short zig-zag up the steep embankment. Catch your breath, (check your pulse), and go along the path through the wood where it exits behind the Rivergrove indoor pool. Turn with the path towards the baseball diamonds, then keeping towards the river branch to the left and follow the trail out of the park. The trail now spins and curves downward to the river. Continue following the curves until you head uphill to reach Britannia Rd.

Connections: If you're comfortable with busy on road riding, you can head west along Britannia until the Glen Erin shopping center up Glen Erin drive to access the Lake Wabukayne-Lake Aquitaine Trails.

Hyde's Mill Hollow

  When you reach the top of the dirt road, at Britannia, stay on the south sidewalk and cross the bridge to the other side where the trail continues. Now on the west bank of the Credit, and still on the south sidewalk, enter the trail as it curves it's way under the bridge and northward again on the other side. Stay on the trail as it will cross again the river over a pedestrian bridge to the east bank. Follow the trail through the open fields (keep your eyes open for Hawks, rabbits, and other wild life) and keeping to the left, or river-ward,  until the trail crosses one more time over a pedestrian bridge where the trail terminates in a street end parkette called Pinecliff Park. I have read for a few years now, that there are plans to extend the trail further northward. It would be nice to connect with the trails in Brampton.When they do, I'll be riding along exploring as I go.

The Credit River got it's name after the French fur trading practice of allowing the Mississauga Indians credit for next years furs in exchange for supplies. It was said that the Mississauga Indians were trusted for keeping their word.

At the mouth of the river is where the final round of agreements were signed for the Toronto Mississauga Purchase.

The line of shale you see along the river embankment was formed long before there were Dinosaurs. 450 million years ago, North America was colliding with Europe. The mighty forces of these two land masses pressing against each other created a vast mountain range called 'Taconic'. The after effects of this collision are the Appalachian mountains, and near lake Ontario, the buckling of the Canadian Shield caused it to bend and dip down. This buckling, created a deep bowl in the shield and a vast inland sea. Over time, this deep bowl has been filled with material eroded from the ancient mountain range, ash from volcanoes, and seabed. This material, pressed by great forces, has created laminated layers of shale. Angled downward towards the bottom of the deep bowl of the shield center near lake Michigan, the shale you see along the river is the Grey shale and harder sandstone of the Georgian bay formation and above it, the red shale of the Queenston formation. As you cycle west from Toronto, you advance in time crossing layers deposited more recently.

Above the shale and sandstone lies the clay, gravel left by glacier advance and subsequent melts some 13 thousand years ago.

The ADM Mill site just after Eglinton was previously the site of a textile mill. Originally the land was purchased from W. Comfort in 1843 by the Barber Brothers. The old mill was surrounded by a small community of worker's home, tailor shop, and general store. By 1870 the mill was the fourth largest in Ontario. The restaurant at the corner of Barberton and Queen was once the residence of W. Barber.