Top Hiking Trails in Toronto

Believe it or not, you don’t have to leave the city to reconnect with nature. From 15km+ trails to easy jaunts that will take about 20 minutes out of your day, there are many options to get active and explore some of the top hiking trails in Toronto.

For this particular post, I’m going to round up 5 of the top hiking trails in Toronto, but if you’re curious about more trails in and around the city, be sure to check out my friend Lauren’s amazing website OntarioHiking.com. It’s the go-to source for all the best hiking spots in Ontario. If there’s anyone who can weigh in on the best hiking trails here in Toronto it’s her and she’s helped me put together the list of top hiking trails in Toronto below!

Glen Stewart Ravine

The Glen Stewart Ravine is a hidden forest escape located right in the middle of a Toronto residential neighbourhood, and is a protected natural area in the Beaches. So, what makes Glen Stewart Ravine one of the beautiful hiking trails in Toronto? It’s one giant boardwalk trail through the forest. No matter where you go, you’ll be shaded by a canopy of red oak and maple trees overhead. While it’s not a super long path at 1.3km, it’s a great place to go for a short walk in nature. Glen Stewart Ravine is perfect for beginner hikers, families, and people of all ages. There are access points on either side of the Glen Stewart Park Trail from Glen Manor Drive East and Beech Avenue, and you aren’t far from the shops and restaurants on Queen Street East. It’s easy to fit this lovely, short walk into your other daily plans in the city as it should only take you about 20 minutes to walk this entire out-and-back trail.

Humber River Recreational Trail

In the city’s west end is one of my favourite hiking trails in Toronto, the Humber River Recreational Trail. This multi-use trail runs alongside the Humber River for over 13km. There are multiple access points, so you can hike as much or as little of the trail as you like. The trail is paved and well-maintained, with a little bit of elevation gain, making this trail perfect for all skill levels and ages. There’s quite a lot to see along the Humber River Recreational Trail from birding and wildlife encounters, to watching kayakers and canoers float on by. The trail is diverse in scenery and will bring you past parks, through wooded areas, under bridges, across the river, and past some beautiful street art before concluding at the Humber Bay Arch Bridge on the shores of Lake Ontario. What I love about this trail is that you’ll pass through a variety of landscapes. And with so many access points, you can make this a short outing or a full day hike.

Rouge Urban National Park

Next up, we’re taking you to a really unique park in the Greater Toronto Area that’s the first of its kind – Rouge National Urban Park. Located about a 30-min drive, northeast of downtown Toronto, Rouge National Urban Park is Canada’s first and only national urban park. The wide variety of natural, cultural, and agricultural landscapes makes it one of the most biodiverse parks in Canada. There are many hiking trails at Rouge Park across its expansive 79 square kilometres of land. To give you some reference, this is 23 times larger than Central Park in New York City! You can keep returning to Rouge Park over and over again for new hiking experiences each time you visit. I suggest checking out the Vista Trail for its two-level observation deck overlooking the forest and the river. The Mast Trail follows an old logging route from over 200 years ago. And the Orchard Trail features forests, wetlands, and the remnants of early European settlements. Before you visit the trail, download the official Parks Canada app for Rouge National Urban Park to access all of the trails and learn interesting details about the park as you hike.

Moore Park Ravine Trail

Now, for a trail that will keep you in the heart of the city but make you feel like you’re far from it all, head to Moore Park Ravine Trail. Running from Mount Pleasant Cemetery down to the Evergreen Brick Works, this 2km trail is a lush oasis in the city. The tree-lined canopy of maples, oaks and beech trees provide a lot of shade, making this a great option on a hot summer day. The gravel and earthen-packed trail is wide and flat, and runs alongside Mud Creek. On quiet days, it’s not uncommon to catch a glimpse of a deer or two as well. A landmark feature of the Moore Park Ravine Trail is the impressive Governor’s Bridge. Originally built in 1923, the towering bridge creates a beautiful juxtaposition of mother nature with urban construction. Access points can be found at Moore Ave, the pedestrian bridge at Heath St and Hudson Drive, Chorley Park, and the Evergreen Brick Works. If you want to extend your hike, there are a number of great trails that connect to the Moore Park Ravine Trail including Park Drive Reservation Lands Trail, the David Balfour Park Trail, and the trails at the Evergreen Brick Works.

Taylor Creek Trail

And lastly, with so many natural areas in Toronto, we’re going to wrap things up at one of the largest spaces in the city along the Taylor Creek Trail. Located in the east end of Toronto, this 3km trail runs through 182 acres of mature forest and along gently flowing rivers. The Taylor Creek trail is perfect for hiking and biking as there are both paved paths and narrower dirt trails. You’ll cross steel and wooden bridges where you can catch glimpses of the pretty waterways. The forests and marshes support a diversity of wildlife and regionally rare plants. There are also quite a few open grassy areas and picnic sites if you’d like to enjoy a picnic lunch on the way. You can access the park from Don Mills on one side and Victoria Park on the other, and it’s only a 10-minute walk from Victoria Park subway station if you’re taking the TTC. You can continue your hike beyond the Taylor Creek Trail on the east side towards Warden Woods or on the west side to the Lower Don Recreational Trail.

Tips to Ensure You Have a Safe and Fun Hike

1. Research your trail ahead of time – know the access points, the distance, and any markers you may need to follow along the way.
2. Wear comfortable shoes with good support, especially if you’re going to be hiking over varied terrain.
3. Always bring water, you do not want to get dehydrated on the trail.
4. And as the saying goes – leave no trace, only footprints. Don’t litter, don’t leave any garbage, whatever you bring in should also come out with you.