20 Gorgeous Hikes In and Near Toronto for All Levels
This list is dedicated to some of the best hikes within an hour or so of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was written for those who are new to hiking and for those who want to see more of the best places around. Each hike is featured separately (perhaps at different times) so make sure to check out all the hikes. Whether you are a city slicker or an outdoor explorer, here’s a list of some of the most beautiful, scenic, and challenging hiking routes around Toronto.
Muskoka Chair
What can I say about this great hike? In a nutshell, it is a steep hill with beautiful views of lakes and trees. The hike is fairly challenging so be prepared. It has an elevation change of 1,200 meters (nearly 4,000 feet) and takes around 2 hours to complete. It’s a tough hike for those who aren’t comfortable climbing but it is worth the effort. There’s nothing quite like looking out on Lake Muskoka from the summit.
Ottawa Valley Forest
This is a hike located in the Gatineau area. It is relatively flat but still has plenty of opportunities for adventure. It’s about a 45-minute drive from downtown Ottawa. The starting point is the area of the Belle-Vue Conservation Area. The hike travels through the Gatineau River Gorge (a section of the Gatineau Hills). The views will be breathtaking.
Devil’s Punch Bowl
This is a fantastic hike located in the Kawartha Highlands. It is one of the highest peaks in Southern Ontario. The Devil’s Punch Bowl is well worth the effort to climb. You can take the “main” trail to the summit (and enjoy great views of the Trent and Rideau rivers) or you can take the trail that takes you down the cliff.
Hidden Valley Hill Climb, Hamilton
Located just outside of Hamilton, Hidden Valley Hill climb is a small little mini-adventure with easy access by public transit. All you need is a vehicle and you can access the trail at Eastgate Park, which is just east of St. Joseph’s Hospital. From there, a short drive and hike up a well-marked trail will take you to the top of the mountain (around 700 feet in height) with a stunning view of Lake Ontario.
This is probably the best way to explore nature in Hamilton, because there is a small parking lot, signpost, and marked trail to get to the top of the hill. If you are new to hiking or you don’t feel like carrying a lot of supplies, this may be the best way to experience the Hamilton Mountain area. If you want to tackle the mountain on tougher terrain, that is also an option. However, this hike is an easy one if you just want to hike.
Rotary Trail, Scarborough
The Rotary trail runs from Rouge Beach to Silver Sands Beach in Scarborough, a 25km linear trail for hiking and biking. It is popular because of the number of attractions at the two beaches, which have many unique features. The Rotary trail itself is very beautiful and offers some of the most scenic views in Scarborough. It is also a good way to check out some of the green spaces in the area.
It also makes a nice loop if you only need to hike a few kilometers. The Rotary trail is good for various levels of hiking, and the beach is a great place to cool off. If you are looking for something less urban and more rural, the Silver Sands Beach is a little way north and even offers campgrounds and camping spots.
Humber River Trail, Toronto
The Humber River Trail is a fairly simple trail that starts at the Kew-Balmy Beach Park and extends to the Humber Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a 5km paved path that loops around Lake Ontario and then continues into the Humber Bay Conservation Area. The Humber River is a beautiful and clean lakefront, which is great for kayaking, canoeing, or simply relaxing.
The northern shore of the lake is very shallow, so don’t plan to sail there, but if you want to walk around the lake, that is a great option. There are also beaches, docks, parks, walking paths, and playgrounds in the wetlands area. The Kew-Balmy Beach Park is worth exploring because it is quite lovely. The park has two nice lakes, a small beach, playground, playground, and hiking trails.
Beach trail at Corus Quay, Toronto
Corus Quay is a complex of buildings that also serves as a gateway to Canada Place. It includes Toronto’s tallest building (St. Michael’s Cathedral), two convention centers, the Harbourfront Centre, and a few other very modern buildings. Corus Quay features a stretch of beach and a marina for boats and canoes.
There is also a lookout and large grassy areas. However, the trail to get to the beach is extremely well marked and well maintained. It is easy to get around by foot, bus or train. And if you are looking for a little more privacy, you can check out the smaller public beach right behind St. Lawrence Market.
Scarborough Bluffs trail, Toronto
The Scarborough Bluffs are a series of cliff formations that overlook the Beach and the Rouge River in Scarborough. The bluffs rise from Lake Ontario as well as Lake Ontario and the Humber River. From mid-May to late September, the Scarborough Bluffs are filled with a wide variety of colorful wildflowers and flowers.
The Scarborough Bluffs are great for an easy hike, as they are marked with steep hillsides and a sheer drop to the edge of the lake. There are numerous views to take in, from the Toronto Islands to the downtown core. If you are feeling ambitious, try walking up the mountain. But, we don’t recommend that since the trail is closed and it’s a bit steep.
Park Lawn Cemetary, Toronto
The Park Lawn Cemetary is a large, beautiful cemetery in the west end of Toronto. It was established in 1893 by Lord Mountbatten as a place for people who lived in and around the area, as well as members of his family and friends. Park Lawn Cemetary is open to everyone and allows for both burial and cremation.
The cemetery is fairly secluded, but a short walk down Park Lawn Road will lead you right to it. There are quite a few historical sites there, such as Mountbatten’s childhood home, but if you have never been there, it is a really pretty spot. And it has several places to get refreshments, including a concession stand and a place for rent.
High Park, Toronto
High Park is a large urban park in Toronto. It is the third-largest park in Canada and is one of the most popular sports in the city for a relaxing stroll. High Park is large and includes a lot of different trails, a dog park, playgrounds, a wetlands area, and picnic areas.
The entire park is covered in beautiful flowers, which bloom all season. The park is also home to the popular Denison Terrace, a triangular-shaped park with great views of downtown Toronto. It is also a very popular destination for fireworks during the Canada Day celebration in Canada.
Van Horne House and Gardens, Toronto
Van Horne House is one of the oldest residences in Toronto. Built-in 1822, the house is a National Historic Site of Canada, as well as being a designated heritage building. The house is open to the public and offers a small museum and a large grassy area surrounded by many different gardens, fountains, and a fountain.
The gardens are truly spectacular, filled with many different types of flowers, trees, and fountains. If you’re feeling hungry, you can check out the house’s restaurant, where you can dine on a beautifully prepared meal.
Holy Cross Cemetery, Toronto
Holy Cross Cemetery is the third-largest cemetery in Canada, and one of the largest in North America. It was established in 1832 when Toronto was a small, rapidly growing city. Holy Cross is the name of a Catholic church on a nearby street.
Holy Cross Cemetery is located in the east end of Toronto and is very close to High Park. You can visit the cemetery at any time of year and see beautiful flowers in bloom. It also has many gardens, which are often filled with many different varieties of flowers. It is a good place to hike with your family.
Greber Gardens, Toronto
Greber Gardens is located in the heart of Toronto, in a beautiful stretch of the park. It is surrounded by green space, and has a gentle sloping slope to the lake, making it great for picnics, barbecues, and sunbathing. The Greber Gardens are a large part of why Queen Street West has so many gorgeous vintage shops. If you’re feeling hungry, you can visit the Greber Tea Room, which is the oldest tea room in North America. They also have a full-service restaurant and some amazing cakes!
Canadian War Museum, Toronto
The Canadian War Museum is an amazing museum and a short walk from the CN Tower. The museum is open daily and showcases the history of Canada and its role in the world. It has a museum store, which sells some great Canadian-made crafts, as well as a café that serves delicious, light meals. It also leads towards the hiking places and the Toronto Islands.
Casa Loma, Toronto
Casa Loma is the oldest castle in Canada and one of the most expensive homes in North America. It was constructed between 1892 and 1897 for Sir Henry Pellatt and has been designed by award-winning architect Caspari. You can visit the home of Casa Loma for a tour, or just to relax and enjoy the view of Toronto from the second-floor balcony. It’s a great place to bring the family for a visit!
Princess Point, Toronto
Princess Point is a small park with great views of downtown Toronto. The point at the south end of the park is the southmost point of Lake Ontario. It is surrounded by gorgeous flowers and overlooks some great local and national landmarks. If you visit the point and sit on one of the benches, you can see the center of the city, and the CN Tower!
Robson Square, Toronto
Robson Square is located in the heart of downtown Toronto, next to the Rogers Centre. The square features a spectacular fountain and stunning views of the CN Tower, so it’s a great spot to take photos of the Toronto skyline.
Yorkville, Toronto
Yorkville is a neighborhood of Toronto known for its boutiques and upscale shopping. The main street of Yorkville, Yonge Street, is filled with great vintage shops, many upscale restaurants, and many beautiful fountains. Yorkville is also famous for being the home of the Canadian Centre for Architecture.
St. Lawrence Market, Toronto
St. Lawrence Market is the oldest outdoor market in Toronto and the biggest. It dates back to 1853 and is often described as the world’s largest indoor market. It is filled with food stands, antique shops, fresh produce, bakeries, and a concert hall that often hosts opera. There is also a post office at St. Lawrence Market that will accept any mail you want to send!
Stanley Park, Toronto
Stanley Park is one of the most popular parks in Toronto, situated along the waterfront of Lake Ontario. It is home to the sprawling Stanley Park Island and it’s also the site of the Toronto Zoo. The park is full of great trails to explore on foot, including a scenic section on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario.
Harbourfront, Toronto
Harbourfront is a collection of parks, plazas, marinas, piers, restaurants, and businesses in Toronto’s downtown core. It was designed by the French designer Jules Gervais-Courtellemont and is meant to reflect the city’s maritime heritage. It is full of small gardens, old streetscapes, and local artwork, such as the Wallace Art Gallery.
Conclusion
Toronto is a great city to visit with its great food and culture. It has a good selection of tourist attractions for each type of traveler, and even if you don’t find the things you are looking for, there is always something new and beautiful to discover. We have suggested the best hiking places in Toronto. We hope you enjoy the next month of exploring Toronto.