Toronto is always a great place to be active and spend time with your family. The busy city streets may be bustling with cars and traffic, but you don’t have to go very far to escape the sounds of honking. Toronto is built on a natural paradise and is full of ravines, forests, and parks, many with beautiful trails that are perfect for cycling.
What could be better than pedalling your stress away? You’ll get your heart pumping but have too much fun to believe that you’re actually getting in a great workout! And best of all, it’s free. So why not get out today and start enjoying the scenery while spending quality time with your friends or family?
A Few Tips for Safe Travels
Before hitting the trails or the many bike paths along the streets of Toronto, it will help to know a few safety rules and bylaws. Staying safe means you can make the most of your adventures this summer and every season afterward!
- Helmets are recommended for everyone but are required for all cyclists under the age of 18.
- Riding on Toronto’s sidewalks is prohibited. Fortunately, you’ll find many bike lanes even on some of the busiest streets.
- Stop signs and traffic lights are there for your safety. Be sure to follow the rules of the road and be particularly careful at busy intersections.
- Review your hand signals before venturing out onto the streets.
- Be sure your bicycle is equipped with a bell. Lights are also essential if you plan to ride from a half-hour before sunset until a half-hour after sunrise.
Finally, be considerate of others who want to enjoy the trails. This means sharing with pedestrians, joggers, rollerbladers, and other cyclists who might not soar like the wind as you do! Now that you know how to stay safe and out of trouble, let’s explore some of Toronto’s best spots for cycling.
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High Park
Imagine an easy trail where you can glide at a leisurely pace while enjoying the vast scenery in Toronto’s most famous park. If that’s an appealing thought, the High Park loop is just what you need. Open all year round, this stunning trail is busiest in the spring and summer as families get out to enjoy the warm weather.
The main entrance is at the intersection of Parkside Dr. at High Park Blvd, but it’s important to know that access is closed on weekends. Luckily, the trails are easily accessible by public transit, or you can ride your bike if you’re in nearby neighbourhoods like Roncesvalles or the Junction Triangle.
This 5.15 km loop will take an hour if you clock along at a good pace or a little longer if you stop to take that perfect picture. Located in the West End, High Park includes a zoo, a pond, and a spectacular view of the Toronto skyline. Bees, butterflies, red-winged blackbirds, robins, and cardinals are just a few friends that may greet you during your travels.
Martin Goodman Trail
It’s impossible to talk about the fantastic cycling paths in Toronto without mentioning the Martin Goodman Trail! With vast swatches of the path running right along the shore of Lake Ontario, you will bask in the gorgeous waterfront views as you pedal. With an easy terrain with no sharp hills or turns, this trail is highly accessible, even with its formidable length.
From start to finish, the trail runs approximately 56 km and spans the entire Lakeshore from east to west! At that length, you may need to stop to rest and refuel once or twice. But with so many cafes and refreshment stands along your way, it’s easy to break one of Toronto’s best paths down into manageable milestones. This will be one experience you and your family will want to enjoy over and over again!
West Don Trail
A little north of the Riverdale neighbourhood, you’ll find the West Don Trail, a cluster of paths that are perfect for cycling! With a somewhat steep hill right at the entrance, you’ll have the hard part out of the way in the very beginning. From there, a paved trail and even terrain mean it’s smooth sailing.
Now peaceful scenery such as shaded ravines, grassy fields, and botanical gardens awaits you. The gentle sound of wildlife accompanied by the steady hum of your bicycle tires gliding along are almost hypnotic. Soon, the blowing horns and bumper-to-bumper traffic seem miles away! Multiple access points and parking at E.T. Seton, Serena Gundy, and Sunnybrook parks, as well as Edwards Gardens, make it easy to enjoy these scenic paths anytime. If you want to keep exploring the city, you can even connect with the Lower Don River and Taylor Creek bike paths.
Toronto Loop
The longest trail in Toronto, a whopping 72 km through diverse landscapes, fields, forests, and along the beautiful shores of the Humber River. The loop consists partly of the Kay Gardener Belt Line, Ravine Belt Line, Lower Don, Taylor Creek, Beeches Boardwalks, Tommy Thompson, Martin Goodman, and the Humber River Trails.
The terrain is mostly paved, with smaller dirt trails leading off in new directions. Because of its sheer length, many people consider this a challenging route and may not be ideal for beginners or young cyclists. Depending on your speed, completing the loop may take as long as 15 hours. But many access points exist, allowing you to explore a little or a lot of the trail at your leisure.
Whether avoiding the traffic congestion on your morning commute or just enjoying the fresh air, it’s easy to fall in love with the sound of nature and the feel of the wind on your face.
Nothing beats the outdoors! But if you need a change of scenery, you’ll find plenty of indoor fun available in Toronto:
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Toronto’s Guided Bike Tours
Most of Toronto’s trails are there for you to explore on your own. But what happens if you’d prefer to make a day of it under the guidance of an expert who knows the area inside and out? You can find several tours throughout the city, from the Heart of Downtown to the Toronto Islands.
In the past, you may have caught a quick glimpse of some of our best landmarks as you were frantically trying to find a place to park or while riding public transit. But nothing beats taking the time to get up close and personal while under the watchful eye of a Toronto expert. It’s a great way to get to know the city you love even better.
A guided tour provides deep insight into Toronto and allows you to explore areas that aren’t available by car or transit. You’ll go at your own pace while taking plenty of time for breaks, snacks, and photo opportunities!
Do you want to know more about making Toronto your next home? We are passionate about our incredible city and can’t wait to tell you more about it. Reach out to us today at erica@ericareddy.com or call 416.443.0300 with any questions you may have.
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