Despite being one of Canada’s largest cities, Toronto is still replete with natural areas. You can see many of these wild wonderlands by going on a hike during your stay. To escape the hustle and bustle of downtown, branch out into Toronto’s hidden green spaces on these hiking trails.
Highland Creek Trail
Located inside the city limits, the Highland Creek Trail winds under the Kingston Road overpass to follow Highland Creek. It extends for 11.7 kilometers (or about 7.27 miles) and is rated low difficulty for those who might not have high strength or endurance. As you walk or bike along, you’ll go through Colonel Danforth Park until you reach Lake Ontario, at which point the trail ends at East Point Park.
If you’re ambitious and want to tackle the entire trail in one day, book an IHG hotel close to the Scarborough neighborhood, as you’ll be able to pop out the door and start walking.
Rouge Park
As the largest urban park in North America, Rouge Park is worth the trip just for the tranquility alone. However, if you’d also like to build a sweat on one of the various hiking trails in the park, start with the Cedar Trail. This 4.5-kilometer (2.8-mile) trek takes you through lush wetlands and forests teeming with wildlife. The whole trail runs parallel to Little Rouge Creek, meaning you might even spot songbirds, shorebirds, and beavers in their natural habitat.
Looking for something a little more challenging? The Mast Trail might be more your game. This 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) loop trail takes about one to two hours to complete, making it the perfect afternoon outing. Along the way, you’ll see many rare creatures, including ovenbirds. History also abounds freely, with old logging grounds and an old ski hill.
Other trails to check out in Rouge Park include:
- Vista Trail, 1.5 kilometers (.93 miles)
- Orchard Trail, 2 kilometers (1.24 miles)
- Woodland Trail, 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles)
Evergreen Brick Works
Evergreen Brick Works is a collaborative space committed to creating sustainable spaces for cityscapes. With that goal in mind, they’ve created a number of hiking trails for visitors to enjoy on the site of an old brick plant. These trails connect Evergreen Brick Works to other parts of the city, making it easy to get there. Take the Milkman’s Run Trail if you’re coming from the Castle Frank subway station, or walk to Chorley Park if you’d like to go to the Yonge subway line.
Humber Trail
A bit farther out from the city in the suburb of Vaughan is the Humber Trail, an 8-kilometer (4.97-mile) stretch that connects the Canadian McMichael Art Collection and the Boyd Conservation Area. Aboriginal people once used this trail as a trade route, and it was once called the Toronto Carrying-Place Trail because of that. Grab your bike or your hiking shoes and enjoy the numerous natural habitats on your journey.
These are just a few of the many inspiring hiking trails Toronto has to offer. To find out the rest, explore the city’s green spaces on your own and see where you end up.
