The first time Robert Fraser went for a hike, he nearly called an ambulance — and not because he was injured. He was just that out of shape.
The Whitby resident remembers feeling like he’d been walking for ages, only to realize he was still close enough to see his car in the parking lot.
What might’ve been a discouraging moment ended up marking the beginning something much bigger. Now, more than eight years later, and Fraser leads GTA Hiking & Stuff, an outdoor meetup group that’s helped thousands of people swap city sidewalks for forest paths.
He enjoys encouraging others through the initial hurdles of hiking for the first time, and says it’s one of the reasons he loves seeing initiatives like the Star’s Fresh Air Fund getting kids outside.
“It just enriches you,” he said of discovering local trails — many of which he found through word of mouth.
And there’s a lot to discover. Toronto is an “embarrassment of riches when it comes to natural areas,” said Mike Halferty, a natural environment specialist with the City of Toronto.
But where to start? Here are six Toronto and GTA trails you might not know about, so you can reap the benefits of the outdoors this summer.
Sunnybrook Park became a refuge for editor-in-chief Nicole MacIntyre’s family, rekindling their appreciation for the outdoors.
Sunnybrook Park became a refuge for editor-in-chief Nicole MacIntyre’s family, rekindling their appreciation for the outdoors.
Red Trail at Glen Haffy Conservation Park
This 2.7-kilometre long trail takes visitors through a “rich variety of ecosystems, including forest, wetland and open meadows,” with stunning views of the Oak Ridges Moraine and Niagara Escarpment, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority said. Well-suited to families, the park features fishing ponds, well-maintained picnic areas and helpful trail maps. Want to stick around outside even longer? The Red Trail connects with the Bruce Trail, letting you explore deeper into the Humber River Headwaters.
Humber Recreational Trail
Open year-round, enjoy low-difficulty boardwalks and waterfront views at the Humber Arboretum.
Matt Forsythe/City of TorontoNot everyone passing through the Humber College Arboretum in Etobicoke knows about the variety of paved and natural paths that await trail-goers, Halferty said. The Humber Recreational Trail stands out, he said, immersing walkers in maples and oaks. Open year-round, enjoy low-difficulty boardwalks and waterfront views.
Seaton Trail
Along West Duffins Creek in Pickering, the Seaton Trail is about 13 kilometres long and chock full of history. The trail follows hunting and fishing routes historically used by Indigenous Peoples, and there are a number of different routes you can take, depending on the level of difficulty you’re looking for, Fraser said. “It changes so much between spring, summer and fall — every season is like a completely different trail,” he said.
Heber Down
In Whitby, mostly flat trail options winding through the Heber Down Conservation Area make for a great option for beginners to “get their hiking legs,” Fraser said. The ecologically important trail is home to springs and scenic views, wetland wildlife and plants uncommon in the rest of Durham region. Looking for an accessible path? Follow the maple leaf at the front entrance.
Beare Hill Park
In Scarborough, Beare Hill Park has seen a stunning natural transformation from its days as an operational landfill up until 1982, Halferty said. With a mix of wide gravel trails and narrower paths running through natural areas, 8145 Finch Avenue East is perfect for easy walking, biking or birdwatching. The park also boasts incredible panoramic views, from a clear view of downtown Toronto to Pickering and Ajax, he added.
Thomas Hauser Memorial Trailhead
In North York, Crothers Woods features trees that are over a hundred years old, according to the city.
Matt Forsythe/City of TorontoIn North York, Crothers Woods features trees that are over 100 years old, according to the city. Follow the Thomas Hauser Memorial path (nicknamed the Loblaws trailhead for its proximity to the grocer’s parking lot) and find challenging natural surface trails and wildflowers rare in the Toronto area.
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