For the first time in Detroit’s modern history, you will be able to walk or bike to another country. The Gordie Howe Bridge Multi-Use Path opens August 5, 2026, nine days after the bridge itself opens to traffic on July 27. Crossing it is free. Here is exactly how to do it, from where to park in Southwest Detroit to what ID gets you through customs.
This guide covers the practical details. For the bridge story itself, see our opening-day explainer, and for more routes, browse our Things to Do coverage.
Gordie Howe Bridge Path at a Glance
| Opens | August 5, 2026 (bridge opens to vehicles July 27) |
| Cost | Free. The path is toll-free in both directions |
| Length | 1.5 miles (2.5 km) across, 11.8 feet wide, two-way traffic |
| ID required | Passport, NEXUS card, or Enhanced Driver’s License |
| Detroit trailhead | Clark Park, 1161 Clark Street, 1.6 miles from the Port of Entry |
| Windsor trailhead | Malden Park, 4255 Matchett Road, about 1.8 miles from the Port of Entry |
What the Path Actually Is
The Multi-Use Path is a dedicated lane for people, not cars. It runs about 1.5 miles across the Detroit River alongside the bridge’s six traffic lanes, but concrete barriers keep it fully separated. The lane is 11.8 feet wide and carries walkers and cyclists in both directions. In addition, 9.5-foot fencing lines the route, and emergency call boxes, security cameras, and lighting run the length of it. The path is designed to meet ADA accessibility standards on the US side and AODA standards in Canada.
How to Do It From Detroit
Start at Clark Park in Southwest Detroit. The city is building a trailhead there at 1161 Clark Street, about 1.6 miles from the US Port of Entry. You will find a parking lot next to the Clark Park Recreation Center, street parking along Clark and Scotten, public washrooms, and water stations. A bike repair station is planned as well. From the park, ride or walk to the Port of Entry, where a separate entrance handles pedestrians and cyclists.
Prefer to park closer or longer? The MDOT carpool lot at 1603 21st Street, near the Michigan Welcome Center, offers longer-term parking. Meanwhile, side streets near the Port of Entry hold additional spots. Once across, the path exits near the Joe Louis Greenway along W. Jefferson, across from Historic Fort Wayne, so you can fold the crossing into a longer ride. Our Joe Louis Greenway guide maps that network.
The Border Part: What ID You Need
This is a real international crossing, so treat it like one. You need a valid passport, a NEXUS card, an Enhanced Driver’s License, or Michigan’s Enhanced ID card. Michigan issues both enhanced documents, and either is enough for land crossings into Canada. Both Ports of Entry have dedicated processing lanes for pedestrians and cyclists, so you will not be squeezed in with the cars. You clear Canadian customs on the way over and US customs on the way back. Standard border rules apply, and bags or bikepacking gear can be inspected.
The Windsor Side
After processing in Canada, the path connects to the Sandwich Street multi-use path, which links to the Broadway Street path and Matchett Road routes. Windsor’s trailhead sits at Malden Park, 4255 Matchett Road, about 1.8 miles from the Canadian Port of Entry, with washrooms and water at the Malden Park Visitor Centre. In short, plan on about a three-mile round trip across the bridge itself, closer to five miles once you add the approach paths, and more if you explore Windsor. Naturally, old Sandwich Town’s bakeries and pubs make a solid turnaround point.
What Is Not Announced Yet
A few details were still unpublished as of July 29. Daily operating hours for the path have not been released, and neither have final rules on e-bikes, scooters, or pets. The bridge authority says terms of use will be shared before opening. One early signal: Windsor updated a bylaw in June to allow pedal-assist e-bikes on the connecting pathways, though the bridge path rules themselves remain unpublished. Therefore, check the official Multi-Use Path page before you go, and we will update this guide as rules land.
Why This Is a Big Deal
Todd Scott, executive director of the Detroit Greenways Coalition, put the gap plainly. “There are really no connections right now between Detroit and Windsor for people walking and biking,” he said. Starting August 5, there is one.
For riders, the appeal is simpler than policy. “To ride across the water, that’s a win in itself,” Detroit cyclist Vincent Dockett said. “And then to ride into another country and back, that’s a double win.”
Detroit and Windsor have faced each other across the river for two centuries with no way to cross under your own power. The Ambassador Bridge never allowed it, and the tunnel is cars and buses only. As a result, this path is genuinely new territory: a free, protected route between two countries, stitched into Detroit’s growing greenway network on one end and Windsor’s trail system on the other. Few cities anywhere offer a walk like it. For more ways to use the riverfront, see our Belle Isle trail guide.
Gordie Howe Bridge Path FAQ
Can you walk or bike across the Gordie Howe Bridge?
Yes. The Multi-Use Path opens August 5, 2026, is free, and is fully separated from traffic.
Do I need a passport?
You need a passport, NEXUS card, or Enhanced Driver’s License. Pedestrians and cyclists get dedicated customs lanes in both directions.
Where do I park on the Detroit side?
Clark Park (1161 Clark Street) is the main trailhead, 1.6 miles from the Port of Entry, with a lot, street parking, washrooms, and water. The MDOT carpool lot at 1603 21st Street handles longer stays.
How long is the crossing?
The path is 1.5 miles across, so the bridge round trip runs about three miles, closer to five with the approach paths.
What are the hours?
Operating hours and e-bike and pet rules had not been announced as of July 21, 2026. Check the official site before you go.