Exploring Toronto by Foot, Bicycle, and Boat

Summer is upon us and many city dwellers are heading up north to open up the cottage, camp, and enjoy Ontario’s wilderness. However, you don’t have to own a car or travel to cottage country to find yourself surrounded by wilderness. Believe it or not, Toronto is home to a number of excellent trails, woodland spaces, and urban waterways that can easily be explored by foot, bicycle, or boat! Below we’ve listed some ways to take advantage of the city’s beautiful parks, forests, and rivers this summer.

Walking in Corktown Common

By Foot

Strap on your shoes (or hiking boots if you’re so inclined) and spend a Saturday afternoon exploring some of Toronto’s beautiful parks and trails. Though High Park is Toronto’s largest public park with a series of hiking trails and variety of wildlife, it’s not the only place to go if you’d like to get a taste of the wilderness.

Over in the east end, just past Woodbine and south of Kingston Road, you’ll find the hidden 11 hectare Glen Stewart Ravine. This “interpretive nature trail” has been declared an Environmentally Significant Area and should be treated with caution - stay on the paths and keep dogs on leash to avoid damaging new plantings. Follow this trail south until the forest turns into a regenerating grassy area, and eventually, the Beaches boardwalk.

The east end is also home to the sprawling Don Valley, a 32-km watershed that empties into Lake Ontario. Within the Don Valley lies a number of excellent trail systems for hikers, joggers, and dog-walkers to enjoy. Enter the Valley from Rosedale via Milkman’s Lane, a 300-metre trail connecting the community to the Don Valley trail network and brickworks. This path has been around for over 130 years and has a rich history serving equestrians and facilitating the transportation of commercial goods.

One of the most beautiful trails in the Valley runs through Crothers Woods, a 52-hectare woodland populated by mature maple-beech-oaks that are over a century old. The forest, which is still in the same condition it was before European settlement, is now considered an Environmentally Significant Area due to the presence of various rare plant and tree species. Hike the natural environment trail to spot some woodland creatures and get a taste for Toronto’s original natural habitat.

Over in the west lies the Humber Trail, which has links to the Boyd Conservation Area and the historic aboriginal trade route known as the Toronto Carrying-Place Trail. The trail is great for both hiking and biking and is home to diverse wildlife, as well as a number of cultural and heritage resources.

For those living up at Yonge and St. Claire, The Rosedale Ravine Trail is quietly tucked away. Turn down Heath Street East and take the long staircase into the ravine. The path is a large loop, running down the Bayview Extension, up through Mount Pleasant Cemetery, and across the old railway bridge on Yonge Street.

The City of Toronto has also established a number of Discovery Walks for history buffs, appreciators of architecture, and those simply interested in discovering new pockets of the city. The website has downloadable and printable PDFs (also available at City Hall) outlining a number of self-guided walks throughout the city’s ravines, parks, beaches, streetscapes, and neighbourhoods. These pamphlets give curious city dwellers and visitors a rundown of the local area’s natural and social history and a detailed map. The City has also installed plaques and signage along the routes to mark the path and important sites. Some interesting Discovery Walks include the Eastern Ravine & Beaches, the Humber River Old Mill & Marshes, and the Downtown Core.

Finally, one of Toronto’s most popular routes is the Waterfront Trail. This paved scenic path and boardwalk is only a small segment of the larger Waterfront Trail system extending from the Niagara region to Cornwall. The Toronto stretch runs alongside Lake Ontario and is often populated by joggers, dog-walkers, inline skaters, and picnicking families. Cyclists will also enjoy the paved segments and the path’s connections to the larger Waterfront Trail system.

Biking through West Queen West

By Bicycle

It can be nerve-racking to cycle in dense urban centres like Toronto, especially when contending with weekend or rush hour traffic. For a calmer cycling experience, try some of the city’s excellent rail trails this season.

The Don Valley Trail system is not only great for hiking, but is also features a number of excellent cycling paths. The steep walls and extensive gullies of Crothers Woods create the ideal conditions for mountain biking trails right here in the city. The International Bicycling Association sent consultants to Toronto in the early 2000s to host trail building workshops and provide locals with the skills necessary to create sustainable trails. The Lower Don Recreation Trail is also a great way for cyclists to enjoy the Don Valley’s wildlife and trail system. And, you can always hop on Cherry Street or Lakeshore Boulevard and enjoy the paved pathway winding along the riverbank.

Those looking to enjoy the waterfront (without the weekend crowds on the Waterfront Trail) should head to Tommy Thompson Park. This man-made peninsula (known as the Leslie Street Spit) was built on dredged material from the Outer Harbour and surplus from Toronto’s developments. The 500-hectare park extends 5 km into Lake Ontario and is now home to a diverse array of wildlife and habitats including grass fields, marshes, cottonwood forests, beaches, and sand dunes.

Cyclists might also enjoy a shady ride through the Mount Pleasant Cemetery, which connects to the 9-km Beltline Trail. The route was originally constructed in 1892 as a commuter railway to promote and support the city’s new suburban neighbourhoods to the north. In the 1970s and ‘80s, the railway was sold and converted into a picturesque rail trail which can easily be linked to the Park Drive Reservation Trail and Milkman’s Lane.

If you’ve got the whole afternoon, catch a ferry to Ward’s island. Less touristy than Centre Island and Hanlan’s Point, Ward’s island has picturesque cottages, art studios, and beautiful views of the cityscape. The paved roads and car-free community also make it easy to cycle and enjoy the views.

If you’ve already tackled most of these trails, the City of Toronto has also published a map outlining all of the city’s cycling trails. As we discovered earlier this month, biking is not only great for your health, but also your brain - so get out there and start turning those cranks!

Me on the Humber!

By Boat

Last month, we discussed how blue spaces - lakes, rivers, and seas - can have a significant effect on both our mental and physical health. Scientists have observed that individuals who live closer to aquatic environments are more relaxed and happier. Fortunately, Toronto is located on the shores of Lake Ontario, and home to a number of urban waterways. If you’re stuck in the city this summer, don’t worry - there are plenty of opportunities to kayak and canoe around Toronto.

Beginners to kayaking and canoeing can get started at the Harbourfront Canoe and Kayak Centre. This urban paddling centre is located in the heart of the city, right on the edge of Lake Ontario, and offers a number of lessons including kayak fitness programs, canoe tours, canoe and kayak camps, and paddling social events. Take a canoe out on the lake and enjoy the views of the city skyline.

In the west end, the Humber River is great for canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding, particularly around the Old Mill and marshes. Grab your vessel and hit the water for a relaxing paddle down one of Canada’s historically important and ecologically diverse rivers. The Humber River system is home to a variety of species including birds, frogs, turtles, butterflies, deer, coyotes, and over 60 species of fish. The marshes also help make up the largest watershed in Toronto.

Though the Don River might seem like a great place to paddle, it’s actually worth heading further east to the Scarborough Bluffs or Kew-Balmy Beach. There, on the shores of Lake Ontario, paddleboarding has taken root and it’s sandy beaches make it easy to put your canoe or kayak in the water. Toronto Island is also a popular spot for paddlers looking to enjoy the winding river system between the islands which are often inhabited by turtles and other wildlife. If you’re not the owner of a kayak or canoe don’t worry - Mountain Equipment Coop and Toronto Adventures Inc. both rent kayaks, canoes, paddles, and lifejackets.

So if you’re stuck in the city this summer or looking for new ways to discover Toronto, strap on your helmet, lifejacket, or hiking boots and get out and explore Toronto’s urban wilderness.