Edited By: Joy Jiang
Tired of staring at the wall while running on the treadmill? Hiking is a fantastic way to exercise while exploring new places and getting some fresh air. Toronto has many hiking trails within it and is a great starting spot for getting to some other trails in the GTA. With the warm weather on its way, hiking can be a great activity for you to put on your summer to-do list. But, you should note that hiking can also be an excellent winter activity! The trails are quieter and there is different wildlife to spot. So, whether you are ready to start hiking this summer or want to wait for the winter, here are some places to try.
Rouge Valley (Rouge National Urban Park)
Cedar Trail 2018
Just next to the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus (UTSC), the Rouge Valley sports a variety of trails. They’re great for exploring local wildlife and some of the trails offer unique sites. For example, you can see the only remaining wetland in the City of Toronto on the Rouge Marsh Trail, Orchard Trail, Cedar Trail and Beare Wetland Loop. For UTSC-oriented trails, check out this list put together by Athletics & Recreation.
Cedar Trail 2018
Rattlesnake Point
Nassagaweya Canyon Trail 2018
On the Niagara Escarpment, Rattlesnake Point is just a little way out from Toronto. It’s a beautiful park in Halton that offers a camping area in the summer, a rock climbing crag and a variety of lookout points over the escarpment. Hiking trails vary in difficulty and length. For example, the Nassagaweya Canyon Trail is a 4-5 hour round trip that leads you to another park, Crawford Lake.
Nassagaweya Canyon Trail 2018
High Park
High Park trail
Right inside Toronto and easily accessible by TTC, High Park has a variety of hiking trails for you to choose from. There’s a picnic area and even a pool if you’re looking for a cool dip after your hike. If you’re eager to check it out – now’s the time! The Sakura cherry trees blossom in April/May and only last for about a week.
Spencer Gorge Conservation Area
Webster Falls
This park is on my to-do list for this summer! It’s located in Hamilton and is widely known for its gorgeous Webster Falls. Depending on the trail you take you can also see sites like a water cascade, a dam built in 1825 and the ruins of a mill which burned down in 1905. Here is a map of the area’s trails.
Living in the city, sometimes you forget how much natural beauty is found not only in the GTA but right inside Toronto! Not only do you get to see some amazing natural wonders when hiking, but you get great exercise and meet fantastic people. Check out meetup.com for a variety of meet-ups in and around Toronto for aspiring and well-practiced hikers. Happy hiking!