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Top 9 Hiking Trails in Toronto

Top 9 Hiking Trails in Toronto

Toronto has a lot of beautiful landscapes and sceneries that are dying to be explored and witnessed! Guess what? You can absolutely do so – and the better news is that there are as many hiking trails as the gorgeous views the city has to offer.

So, where are these hiking trails that we’ve been raving about? Well, buckle your seatbelts as we’re going to explore the best hiking trails the city is known and prideful for! 

The West Humber Trail

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Address: Etobicoke, ON, Canada

Website: N/A

Contact Details: N/A

Hours: 24/7

Trail Distance: 11.2 miles

Hike Duration: 3 h 29 min

Elevation: 301 ft. 

Difficulty: Easy

The West Humber Trail is a perfect getaway for either beginner or seasoned hiker. What’s amazing about this place is it caters to all your needs as an outdoor adventurer. 

This hiking trail has it all from public restrooms if you’re keen on using comfort rooms, to parking spaces that can accommodate large vehicles like camping vans and trucks. 

On top of that, you also have access to safe picnic areas that are perfect for family trips where you can sit back and just enjoy the outdoor scenery. 

What makes this possible is the clean surroundings that won’t bother your food or your delicate skins unlike other public trails that are full of these nuisances. 

Pro Tip:

The trail is particularly stunning around sunset. There’s no better way to end a day than witnessing the golden hour by the river. So, lace up your walking shoes, pack a camera, and get ready to capture the serene beauty of Toronto’s West Humber Trail as day turns to night. 

Leslie Street Spit Trail 

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Address: 1 Leslie St, Toronto, ON M4M 3M2, Canada

Website: https://tommythompsonpark.ca

Contact Details: +14166616600

Opening Hours: Daily 4–9 PM

Trail Distance: 7.6 miles

Hike Duration: 2 h 15 min

Elevation: 104 ft

Difficulty: Easy

This 11-kilometer loop trail not only offers breathtaking views of Lake Ontario but also serves as a sanctuary for an impressive array of wildlife. With over 300 bird species and close to 400 plant species, it’s a paradise for nature enthusiasts and bird watchers alike.

What makes this place unique is the opportunity you’re going to get if you’re into ornithology. But if you’re anything but that, then I advise other trails because you’re definitely going to spot huge birds like Caspian Terns and Gwendolyn Clarks. 

Getting to Tommy Thompson Park is a breeze regardless if you’re driving, biking, or taking public transit. Free parking is available at the main entrance, with additional spots across the street for those arriving by car. 

Cyclists and pedestrians can access the park via the Toronto Waterfront Trail, while the TTC’s 83 bus drops you off just a stone’s throw from the adventure that awaits​​.

Pro Tip:

Consider renting a quadricycle during your visit. These four-wheeled cycles offer a fun way to explore the park’s vastness, comfortably accommodating groups and families. Remember, there’s no running water in the park, so bring plenty of hydration, especially on warmer days.

Crothers Woods

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Address: Crothers Woods Trail, East York, ON M4H 1P6, Canada

Website: http://www.toronto.ca/parks/trails/crothers/

Contact Details: +14163922489

Opening Hours: 24/7

Trail Distance: 11.2 miles

Hike Duration: 2 hr 5 min

Elevation: 189 ft

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Crothers Woods is a dense forest area near Don River Valley that runs 10 kilometers that’s great for hiking. The road here is smooth and had a lot of great openings that made crevices easy to navigate—something we can’t say for other hiking trails. 

You’ll also be greeted by Cottonwood Flats which is around a few blocks by the trail, and this is an industrial heritage area that you and your family can explore. What’s even more fascinating is that this place isn’t just for hikers, it’s also for mountain bikers

Pro Tip:

Venture out during the early morning or late afternoon. Not only will you enjoy the trails in cooler temperatures, but you’ll also have the chance to experience the park’s wildlife as they are most active during these times. 

Also, remember to pack water, wear comfortable hiking shoes, and bring your camera to capture the stunning vistas. 

Mount Nemo

Media from conservationhalton

Address: 5317 Guelph Line, Burlington, ON L7P 0A5, Canada

Website: https://www.conservationhalton.ca/parks/mount-nemo/

Contact Details: +19058540262

Opening Hours: Daily 9 AM–7 PM

Trail Distance: 4.3 miles

Hike Duration: 1 h 43 min

Elevation: 469 ft

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

While Rattlesnake Point might be grabbing all the headlines, let’s not sleep on the beauty that is Mount Nemo. 

Here, the Bruce Trail plays host to a network of paths leading to a lookout that’ll have you spotting the Toronto skyline from a vantage point like no other. It’s a breathtaking experience, to say the least.

Also, Mt. Nemo is a haven for the soul, offering serene trails that meander through lush greenery, bringing you face-to-face with the escarpment’s rugged beauty. 

And yes, while it shares the limelight with its more popular neighbor, Mount Nemo holds its own with a tranquility that makes every visit a memorable one. Sadly, there are very few amenities (if you could call them that) and only parking spaces are available. 

It’s best to have your own compact mobile facilities like bathrooms and sinks so you can at least have a stay for a few days to fully appreciate the beauty of Mt. Nemo. 

Pro Tip:

Reservations are now a must-have for accessing Mount Nemo Conservation Area. Planning ahead ensures you won’t miss out on this slice of paradise. So, before you set off on your adventure, make sure to secure your spot.

Mast Trail

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Address: 55 Twyn Rivers Dr, Scarborough, ON M1B, Canada

Website: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/on/rouge/activ/randonnee-hiking/mats-mast

Contact Details: N/A

Opening Hours: 24/7

Trail Distance: 3.3 miles

Hike Duration: 1 hr 14 min

Elevation: 282 ft

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Tucked away in the expanse of Rouge National Urban Park lies the Mast Trail, a path that whispers the tales of its 200-year-old history. 

It was once a bustling logging route, where towering pines embarked on a journey across the ocean for shipbuilding, and now you can expect it to be a serene escape into nature. 

Spanning just over two kilometers, it promises an adventure through mature forests adorned with a lush carpet of ferns and challenging terrains that flirt with the edges of the Rouge River and the Little Rouge Creek.

Take your time to appreciate how the Mast Trail serves as a bridge between the bustling city life and the tranquil embrace of nature, offering a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. 

Pro Tip:

Start your hike early in the morning to enjoy the tranquility and to catch a glimpse of the wildlife that calls this place home. Also, don’t forget to wear sturdy footwear, as the trail can be challenging in parts, and don’t forget to bring water to stay hydrated on your journey. 

Bluffer’s Park

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Address: Scarborough, ON, Canada

Website: N/A

Contact Details: N/A

Opening Hours: 24/7

Trail Distance: 4.0 miles

Hike Duration: 1 hr 16 min

Elevation: 131 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Away from the more frequented sands and boardwalks, there’s a spot that offers tranquility along with a stunning natural spectacle: the cliffs formed by the glacial activity of the Wisconsin Glacier about 12,000 years ago. 

This area, stretching eastward from the urban sprawl, has uninterrupted shoreline and cliff-face views all the way to Pickering. You’ll find that it makes for a perfect getaway if you’re seeking solace and natural beauty.

Bluffer’s Park is also extremely beginner friendly for hikers who come here to explore for the first time. The trail has a smooth pavement and the altitude of the mountain regions is not as high as the other ones in Toronto. 

As you move eastward from the common conveniences of washrooms and parking, the landscape transforms into a pristine stretch of nature’s artwork, where the only companions you might find are the shoreline and the towering cliff faces.

Pro Tip:

Visit during snowfall for a magical panorama that includes forest, lake, and the imposing bluffs. 

This unique perspective not only highlights the serene beauty of the area but also accentuates the dramatic contrast between the snow-covered terrain and the icy waters of Lake Ontario, providing a stunning backdrop for photographers and nature lovers alike​​.

Highland Creek Trail

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Address: Scarborough, ON, Canada

Website: N/A

Contact Details: N/A

Opening Hours: 24/7

Trail Distance: 5.2 miles

Hike Duration: 1 hr 43 min

Elevation: 134 ft

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Colonel Danforth Park is a haven for those who relish the outdoors and the rich tapestry of nature it weaves through its paths. 

This park, stretching from the University of Toronto Scarborough campus to Lawrence Avenue East, is not just about the trails. It offers picnic areas and barbecues for those sunny days when outdoor dining beckons. 

The trail itself, which winds its way to Lake Ontario, is flanked by the creek, massive trees, and a diverse array of wildlife, making every visit a new adventure​​. 

Plus, it’s an amazing trail if you’re looking for a challenge as you’ll need to go through a dense forest to fully explore it!

Pro Tip:

For those looking to immerse themselves in the tranquil beauty of this place, we highly recommend starting at the very last parking lot for a scenic route that follows the creek down to Lake Ontario. 

The trail is largely accessible, with most parts being flat and paved, interspersed with a few easy-to-navigate dirt and gravel sections. 

Earl Bales Park

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Address: 4169 Bathurst St, North York, ON M3H 3P7, Canada

Website: https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/337/index.html

Contact Details: +14163922489

Opening Hours: 24/7

Trail Distance: 1.8 miles

Hike Duration: 40 min

Elevation: 147 ft

Difficulty: Easy

What’s amazing and unique about Earl Bales Park that sets it apart from your typical hiking trail is the presence of a ski hill with a band stage. 

Sometimes, you don’t want to go hiking 24/7 during your trip—you’re bound to have pit stops along the way, and what better pitstop is there than a full-on concert in the middle of a ski top? 

Also, the trail is among the shortest out of any hiking spots we visited so far, making this an amazing road for newbies who are trying to get into the hiking hobby!

Along the way, the road pavement is very smooth and it’s a joy to hike into. We especially love visiting during autumn when the weather isn’t too hot, that way you and your other co-hikers can dress a bit up to match the season! 

Pro Tip:

While hiking trails shine during the day, dusk is when Earl Bales Park is best appreciated.

During this time, you can walk during the night because that’s when stars are the most visible and since Earl Bay Park is located in a higher altitude, you can almost touch the sky! 

The Glen Stewart Ravine

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Address: Glen Stewart Ravine, Toronto, ON M4E 1R9, Canada

Website: N/A

Contact Details: N/A

Opening Hours: 24/7

Trail Distance: 0.8 miles

Hike Duration: 20 minutes

Elevation: 98 ft

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Glen Stewart Ravine is truly a one-of-a-kind that transforms an ordinary walk into an extraordinary escape. This lush oasis, fed by groundwater from Ames Creek, is a sanctuary of towering red oak and red maple trees, all interconnected by an elevated boardwalk. 

The boardwalk not only offers a chance to be enveloped in greenery but also plays a crucial role in protecting the ravine’s delicate ecosystem. It’s a space where the city’s hustle fades into the background, replaced by the tranquil sounds of nature​​​​.

This is also another amazing beginner-friendly trail due to its short distance and lower altitude. One could even say that it’s perfect if you want to bring the kiddos with you! 

Also, the ravine has been recognized for its environmental significance and has seen various infrastructure improvements over the years, including the reconstruction of pedestrian bridges and trail resurfacing. 

These efforts ensure that you can enjoy the beauty of the area while preserving its natural state for future generations. 

Pro Tip:

Remember that the ravine is home to some steep staircases, providing a unique vantage point among the treetops and adding a bit of a workout to your exploration. 

It’s a perfect example of Toronto’s dedication to maintaining and enhancing its green spaces, offering a peaceful retreat for residents and visitors alike. 

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