Once the famous author Diane Spicer said: “Hiking and happiness go hand in hand or foot in a boot”. You may hike either for an exercise or as a hobby, but it simply pushes you into an amazing piece of nature filled with adventures, super views and lots of wildlife. The all you acquire by hiking is immense experiences enclosed with happiness. So, here is a list of 10 hiking trails in Toronto you can explore on your next trip there! And don’t forget to book your flights online through Cathay Pacific to get amazing flight deals…
Bluffer’s Park.
Further towards the West, unlike the usually crowded boardwalk beaches and volleyball pits, you will find the breathtaking views of Bluffs which were formed by the Wisconsin Glacier about 12,000 years ago. As you approach the East, you will encounter nothing but the cliffs overlooking the sea until Pickering and shoreline. The sands are ideal to lay down after long hiking to dry off the sweat. Bluffer’s Park is overall a seaside hiking or walking destination that is also perfect for picnics and boat rides.
Don Valley Trails.
As most of the hiking trails in Toronto that are lined along the river banks, Don Valley Trails too, overcasts along the river. It encompasses a valuable greenspace which connects the urban neighbourhoods of Toronto. Stop for a little while on a riverside gap and experience the unique art of the trail! For an inner-city hiker, the area around the Crothers Woods is ideal. But all those narrow ravines and wide-open spaces provide lots of hiking options to wander through. You can also do some cycling accepts cyclists as well.
Highland Creek Trail.
The Highland Creek Trail that belongs to Colonel Danforth Park follows a valley that flows into Lake Ontario. The complete trail is 11.7km which is compacted with grass, soil and gravel. Although this park is commonly used for leisurely walking and cycling purposes, it features a distance and all the backdrop items necessary for a challenging hike. Make sure you turn right to cross the bridge just after a paved road at the end of the trail through woods along the creek.
Mast Trail.
Want to get a Cardio challenge? Then, rush to The Mast Trail which is a 200 years old trail that has been a logging route from which lumber was sent to Europe to manufacture ships. It is more than 2km long and covers a challenging path between the Rouge River and Little Rouge Creek. In the middle of the hill, you can still find the hump left from a ski hill that was a hub of winter recreation in 1950.
The Glen Stewart Ravine.
Have you ever dreamt to hike through a backdrop like something straight in a storybook? It’s no more a dream in Toronto because you can go to The Glen Stewart Ravine. There’s a beautiful stream that flows through this fertile slice of nature which is inhabited by rare plant species like Red Maple Trees and Witch Hazel shrubs. At the Northern tip of Ivan Forrest Gardens too, not far from here, you will find natural landscapes with walking pathways and sloping hillsides ideal for hiking.
Bruce Trail.
You won’t say no to drive a bit away from Toronto to explore the longest and oldest footpath in Canada. You will be spoiled by its scenery that stretches from dense forests to rocky gorges. It’s almost 900km long extending from Niagara to Tobermory! You can hike here for a single day or more along with camping experiences as well. This is not such a difficult trail but be prepared to cross some wild, rocky and remote areas in the North.
Leslie Street Spit Trail.
Have you ever been to the Tommy Thompson Park of Toronto? If your answer is yes, you might have missed this stunning piece of nature in it! It’s a loop of 11km that runs through the city’s largest waterfront. Here you can soak up in a bit of wildlife while experiencing the breathtaking views of Lake Ontario. It is recorded to be found over 300 bird species and 400 plant species in this trail.
The West Humber Trail.
The start can be made at both Humber Arboretum or Humberwood Center. It would surely be a discovery walk that takes you across the West Humber River Valley through a mixture of tightly packed grassy trails. But still, it preserves the delightfulness of the kaleidoscope of ornamental gardens that are found after a continuous walk between environmentally significant woodlands. See that you don’t miss the Garden of the Rising Moon to enjoy some spectacular displays! The Humber Arboretum which is spread in 100 hectares that houses more than 1,700 species of trees and amazing wildlife, never ends its allure in all the seasons.
High Park.
Many Trails along this natural sanctuary are ideal for relaxing walking to get away from the hustle-bustle of downtown. As one-third of the park remains in its natural state, there is plenty to explore in the backdrop. The original oak savannah that covered most parts of Toronto and many rare plant species exist here. As it is lined with numerous trials, one exact trail cannot be pointed out. You are free to wander through any. But each trail would offer you something new and interesting to be explored.
Cedar Trail and the Bear Wetlands Loop.
This is one of the longest trails in the Rouge River Valley which consists of a round-trip of 4.5km or a loop of 1.5km. While passing several ecosystems, including grasslands and wetlands, it extends parallel to the Little Rouge Creek. It is almost a quite challenging path with different gradations, where some of them are awkward and steep. But hiking the steep sections will provide a good cardio challenge. Overall the trail would donate you stunning views of landscapes, rivers and biodiversity. If your hike takes place in winter or rainfall, be careful that the trail must be extensively slippery.
