Kandice VincentThe Best Boardwalk Trails to Visit When You’re in Toronto
Toronto has over 20 kilometres of boardwalk trails, making it one of the cities in Canada with the most boardwalk trails. Most of these boardwalk trails are located along the waterfront, but some are in the city’s parks and ravines.
Looking for a place where you can unwind and enjoy the beauty of nature? We’ve listed the best boardwalk trails in and near Toronto for a relaxing day outdoors.
The Best Boardwalk Trails to Visit When You’re in Toronto
Crothers Woods
From: @toddlerstravel
Address: Crothers Woods Trail, East York, ON M4H 1P6
Contact details: +1 416-392-2489
Operating hours: Open 24 hours daily
Crothers Woods is a 52-hectare beech-maple-oak climax forest consisting of woodland, meadows, wetlands, and an assortment of past and present municipal uses. It’s a popular destination for hiking, biking, and birdwatching.
Crothers Woods is home to over 150 species of birds, including owls, hawks, and woodpeckers. There are over 9 kilometres of trails in the woods, offering a stunning view of the Don River valley.
Pro tip:
It gets muddy on rainy days, so keep that in mind before you start your adventure.
Kelso Conservation Area
From: @kamran.hameed.photog
Address: 5234 Kelso Rd, Milton, ON L9E 0C6
Contact details: +1 905-878-5011
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Kelso Conservation Area is a 500-hectare park operated by Conservation Halton and is located on the Niagara Escarpment. There are over 15 kilometres of hiking trails in the park, ideal for biking and birdwatching.
The park is open year-round, but some activities are only available during certain seasons. For example, swimming and canoeing are only available during the summer months.
Pro tip:
It takes about 3 hours to explore every section of the conservation area, so plan your visit in advance.
Colonel Danforth Park
From: @toronto_lense
Address: 73 Colonel Danforth Trail, Toronto, ON M1C 1P8
Contact details: +1 416-338-4386
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Colonel Danforth Park is a 19-hectare park located in the Scarborough district of Toronto. It’s part of the Highland Creek ravine system, which is one of the largest ravine systems in the city.
The park is named after Asa Danforth Jr. for his contribution to the expansion of the Toronto road network. It’s home to a number of rare and endangered plant species, including the white trillium and the butternut.
Pro tip:
There are tons of picnic tables in the park where you can rest and eat while taking in the beauty of nature.
Moccasin Trail Park
From: @tvnatasha
Address: 55 Green Belt Dr, Toronto, ON L4Z 2P5
Contact details: +1 416-392-2489
Operating hours: Open 24 hours daily
Moccasin Trail Park is a 15-hectare park that features walking paths through a naturalized ravine forest. It’s a popular spot for walking, biking, picnicking, and birdwatching.
The park also has many other features, including a playground, a rainbow tunnel, and a dog off-leash area. It has a pond stocked with trout and bass where you can fish if you have a license.
Pro tip:
Beware of snakes! There are a few trails where you can encounter snakes, so proceed with caution.
Glen Stewart Park
From: @k_raash
Address: 351 Glen Manor Dr, Toronto, ON M4E 2X8
Contact details: +1 416-392-2489
Operating hours: Open 24 hours daily
Glen Stewart Park is an 11-hectare park named after Glen Stewart, a former Toronto alderman who was instrumental in its development. The park is home to a variety of natural features, including a ravine, a stream, and a waterfall.
The ravine is forested with a variety of trees, including oak, maple, and beech. The stream flows through the ravine and over the waterfall.
Pro tip:
Some of the stairs and trails can get slippery during winter, so take your time to avoid injuries.
Valens Lake Conservation Area
From: @walker_on_the_road_wor
Address: 1691 Regional Rd 97, Cambridge, ON N1R 5S7
Contact details: +1 905-525-2183
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Valens Lake Conservation Area is a 325-hectare conservation area managed by the Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA). Valens Lake is a man-made reservoir that was created in the 1960s to control flooding and provide water for the Beverly Swamp.
With over 225 campsites, the conservation area is a popular spot for camping and fishing. It has over 10 kilometres of trails with stunning views of the lake and the surrounding countryside.
Pro tip:
The bathrooms are closed during winter, so you’ll have to settle with a porta-potty.
Sifton Bog
From: @lixckz
Address: 1210 Oxford St W, London, ON N6H 4N2
Contact details: +1 519-661-4500
Operating hours: Open 24 hours daily
Sifton Bog is a 41.6-hectare bog formed in a depression that was created by a melting glacier over 12,000 years ago. It’s dominated by sphagnum moss, which can hold up to 20 times its weight in water!
Some of the plants that can be found in the bog include sundews, pitcher plants, and leatherleafs. It’s also home to various animals including bog turtles, spotted salamanders, and northern spring peepers.
Pro tip:
The small parking area gets very crowded on weekends and holidays, so arrive early to secure a spot.
Humber Bay Park East
From: @truelymadeforeachotherar
Address: 100 Humber Bay Park Road East, Toronto, ON M8V 3X7
Contact details: +1 416-392-2489
Operating hours: Open 24 hours daily
Humber Bay Park East is a 19-hectare park located in the Etobicoke district of Toronto and is a popular spot for cycling and birdwatching. Its 2-kilometre trail offers a stunning view of the Toronto skyline and Lake Ontario.
The park is home to a number of rare and endangered plant species, including the Carolinian tree frog and the butternut. It’s also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and squirrels.
Pro tip:
There’s a farmers’ market every Saturday where you can buy fresh vegetables and baked goods.
Crawford Lake Conservation Area
From: @brenjreyn
Address: 3115 Conservation Rd, Milton, ON L9T 2X3
Contact details: +1 905-854-0234
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Crawford Lake Conservation Area is a 94-hectare conservation area named after the Crawford family, who lived on the site and donated the land to the conservation authority in 1969.
Crawford Lake is a meromictic lake, which means that its layers do not mix. The top layer of the lake is warm and well-oxygenated, while the bottom layer is cold and oxygen-poor.
This unique environment allows for a variety of plant and animal life to thrive.
Pro tip:
Wear pants or long socks to avoid ticks and getting in contact with poison ivy.
White Water Walk
From: @lmb74
Address: 4330 River Rd, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 6T2
Contact details: +1 877-642-7275
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
The White Water Walk is a boardwalk that takes visitors along the edge of the Niagara River, just above the Whirlpool Rapids. The rapids are some of the most powerful in the world, and the White Water Walk offers visitors a chance to experience them up close.
It features a number of viewing platforms that offer stunning views of the rapids and the surrounding area. The walk also has interpretive signs that teach visitors about the geology and history of the Niagara Gorge.
Pro tip:
The elevator that takes you down is small, so get in line 30 minutes before your scheduled time.
