The Gordie Howe Bridge Multi-Use Path Is Open: What Windsor Walkers and Cyclists Need to Know

Windsor got a new way to reach Detroit today. The multi-use path on the Gordie Howe International Bridge opened to the public on August 5, 2026, and for the first time you can cross the Detroit River under your own power: walking, jogging, or on a bike. No car, no bus, and no toll.

The path is one lane, 3.6 metres wide, carrying two-way pedestrian and cyclist traffic. It climbs a grade of roughly 5 percent to a high point 46 metres above the river, so expect a real workout on the way up and a long coast on the way down. Concrete barriers separate you from vehicle traffic the whole way, with 12-foot unclimbable fencing on both sides, emergency call stations, security cameras, and full lighting overhead.

This matters for more than recreation. The Canadian entrance sits at 4389 Sandwich Street, and the path plugs directly into the trail network that runs through Sandwich, Malden Park, and along the LaSalle Parkway Trail. If you live in west Windsor or LaSalle, a cross-border ride is now part of your neighbourhood.

Hours, Cost, and How Long the Crossing Takes

The path is free. That's the headline number, and it's worth repeating because every other way across the border has a cost attached. The rest of the practical details:

Hours shift with the seasons, and access ends one hour before closing so everyone can finish their crossing:

Budget about 20 minutes one-way by bike and about 45 minutes on foot, not counting border processing. You can turn around and head back to your side at any point, but you'll still go through border processing before you exit.

Where You Get On, and Where You Park

The Windsor entrance is at 4389 Sandwich Street. The Detroit entrance is at 6366 West Jefferson Avenue. Neither has on-site parking, so plan to arrive by bike, on foot, or from a nearby trailhead. On the Canadian side, the recommended spot is the Malden Park Trailhead, which connects to the bridge via the Broadway Street Multi-Use Path. On the U.S. side, it's Clark Park.

The trail connections are the quiet story here. From the Windsor side, the path ties into the Windsor Riverfront Trail, the LaSalle Parkway Trail, the Trans Canada Trail, the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, and the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway trail system. Cross over and you can pick up the Joe Louis Greenway, the Detroit Riverwalk, the Iron Belle Trail, and the Great Lakes Way. A Saturday loop that includes two countries is now a realistic plan from a driveway in LaSalle.

What You Can Ride, and What You Can't

The rules are specific, so check your gear before you go:

• Allowed: walking, jogging, running, bicycles, cargo bikes and trikes, folding bikes, and mobility devices used by persons with disabilities, including motorized wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
• Pedal-assist e-bikes are allowed only if the motor works while you pedal, cuts off at 32 km/h, and has no throttle. One catch: pedal-assist bikes are prohibited during the initial weeks after the August 5 opening.
• Not allowed: throttle-equipped e-bikes, electric scooters, electric skateboards, Segways, hoverboards, one-wheels, plus regular skateboards, roller skates, and inline skates.

The speed limit is 20 km/h for everyone. Pets stay home too; only properly identified service animals are permitted, leashed and under control, with the owner responsible for cleanup. Smoking, vaping, cannabis, alcohol, drones, and throwing anything from the path are all prohibited, and so is displaying signs, flags, or banners.

Crossing the Border on Foot Is Still Crossing the Border

The path has its own dedicated inspection facilities, separate from the car and truck lanes. Border processing is mandatory before you exit the path, in either direction, and every user needs proper travel identification, including minors. Before you go, check the entry requirements published by the Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

You can carry bags, water, and snacks, and bring purchases back with you, all subject to customs discretion and guidelines. Groups of 20 or more should give the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority advance notice at 1-844-322-1773.

Frequently Asked Questions