From Webster Falls to Gage Park, Hamilton has its fair share of grassy patches and natural areas to escape concrete and asphalt.

But for those who seek solitude with their flora and fauna, there is one major issue with some of the more familiar city hot spots: too many people.

Here are seven nearby places where the human population is likely to be low or, at the very least, easily avoidable:

McCormack Trail: While many adventurous folk are drawn to the array of waterfalls along the escarpment, a solo hiker might seek solitude away from the camera-friendly falls. McCormack Trail is in a patch of conservation land in Dundas between Governors Road and the north escarpment. Access the trail on Governors, a few hundred metres west of the Pirie Drive HSR stop.

Golf Links Park #2: There are two parks along Ancaster's Radial Trail between McNiven Road and Halson Street. Golf Links Park #1 is accessible by Seymour Drive, it has kids' play structures and is ordinarily maintained. The second park is accessible only by trails. Nearby parking options include behind the Hamilton Library's Ancaster branch off Wilson Street East.

Rockcliffe Trails: Just south of Waterdown village is a natural area known as Clappison Woods. A small trail system winds its way through the forest. There's a trailhead and small parking lot on Rockcliffe Road, but a more convenient access point is directly behind the Clappison's Corners Walmart.

Sunset on Cootes Paradise. | Cathie Coward, Hamilton Spectator file photo

Sassafras Point: A highly accessible natural area, the south shore of Cootes Paradise is an oasis hiding behind Westdale Village. Access the trail system from McMaster Campus in the west, Churchill Park in the Centre and Princess Point in the east. Sasafrass Point trail is in the centre of the forested area, a short walk from the trailhead between Churchill Park and the Aviary. The trail ends at lookout platform with a perfect view of Cootes Paradise.

Below Albion falls, Red Hill Creek and Red Hill Trail cut through King's Forest. | John Rennison, Hamilton Spectator file photo

King's Forest: Below Albion Falls and along the Red Hill Valley Parkway is a large natural area, trail system and golf course. The Red Hill trail spans nearly eight kilometres from the falls in the south to Confederation Park on Lake Ontario in the north. The southern part of the trail system, below the escarpment, offers a remote urban setting. The trail system has a variety of access points including Rosedale Park at Greenhill Avenue, and on the Mountain at the Red Hill Trail south parking lot.

Bayfront Park is big and highly accessible. | John Rennison, Hamilton Spectator file photo

Bayfront Park: Bayfront Park is big. Though you might find lots of people at the park, especially on a weekend, the highly accessible lower-city green space has lots of nooks and crannies to hide away; for example, the rocks along the east shore. An added bonus: there's a tuck shop and public washrooms nearby.

Iroquoia Heights at the escarpment's edge. | Ted Brellisford, Hamilton Spectator file photo

Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area: On the escarpment's edge, at the top of the Chedoke Radial Trail, is Iroquoia Heights. The forested area is bound by Highway 403 to the north and west, and homes to the south and east. Access the trail from a trailhead on Scenic Drive (where there is a small parking lot), by the Bruce Trail 403 pedestrian bridge off Filman Road or by the Chedoke Radial Trail from the lower city. Bonus: Iroquoia Heights has some outstanding city views.

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