A Serendipitous Stroll: A Pre-Summer Glimpse Along the Trans Canada Trail

Written by William Marcinko 

Today was supposed to be one of those slow, unplanned, “almost” summer days. As a second-year university student on break, I’ve been craving little adventures — nothing major, just moments that shake up the routine. So, I threw on a pair of sneakers and decided to take a short walk near the waterfront, not expecting much. That’s when the Trans Canada Trail quietly delivered an unexpected surprise right in my neighbourhood. 

Following the Trail along the Mississauga Waterfront 

The Mississauga Lakeview area is a surprisingly peaceful pocket, even though it’s framed by city life. The breeze off Lake Ontario carried the scent of fresh grass and something else — faintly sweet, almost like warm jam. I followed that trail, quite literally, down a tree-lined stretch of the Waterfront Trail – Mississauga that brushes the edges of the lake as well as Lakeshore Road. It’s funny how this massive, coast-to-coast-to-coast path can feel so personal in little corners like this. 

Not far from Lakeshore Road, I stumbled across the Lakeview Farmers and Artisan Market. It was tucked into a clearing like a well-kept secret. Dozens of stalls were scattered across the space, each bursting with colour and charm — I saw handcrafted soaps, local honey, and fresh fruits and vegetables that looked like they’d been picked that morning. A guitarist played mellow acoustic tunes near the centre of the market, and the scent I’d followed earlier? Freshly baked butter tarts. 

Photo credit: William Marcinko

‘I felt like I’d stepped into a postcard’ 

I wandered through the market, chatting briefly with a local ceramicist and sampling a tart that reminded me of my grandmother’s baking. It felt like I’d stepped into a small-town summer postcard — only it was right here, in my own city, along a trail I’d never thought to explore until today. 

Walking back, tote bag slightly heavier and heart a little lighter, I realized something: the Trans Canada Trail isn’t just a path from one coast to two others. It’s a thread connecting little stories, hidden gems and chance discoveries like mine today in Lakeview. Sometimes, all it takes is a walk to turn an ordinary day into a page worth remembering. 

William is a second year Hospitality and Tourism Management student at TMU’s Ted Rogers School of Management. Find him on Instagram at @william_marcinko. 

Explore the Waterfront Trail on our interactive map!

Main photo credit: William Marcinko