Walks and Views

A short but steep 1.8 km loop to the top of the Eardley Escarpment, about 300 metres above the Ottawa Valley, with ten lookouts and nature panels along the way. The summit is also a national historic site marking Canada's first geodetic survey station. The trail is open from May to the end of October and is reserved for cross-country skiing in winter. Access to the summer trail is free; dogs are not allowed.

Place des Canotiers is a large public space on the Old Port waterfront facing the St. Lawrence, right below the Château Frontenac. It is open all year and free to stroll, with public toilets open from 7 AM to 11 PM and great river and ferry views. Note that the parking lot here is paid.

A steep 4.2 km loop that climbs about 300 metres up the Eardley Escarpment beside Luskville Falls, with two lookouts over the Ottawa Valley and an old fire tower at the top. The falls are at their most powerful in May with the snowmelt. The trail and its parking lot are open from spring to fall and closed in winter. Access to the trail and parking is free; dogs are not allowed.

Formerly called the Sillery cliff trail, this 1.5 km path links the Saint-Michel-de-Sillery church to the Domaine Cataraqui through the historic Sillery estates, with a grand staircase down the cliff and sweeping views of the St. Lawrence. It is free and open daily from 7 AM to 11 PM all year; the staircase closes in winter, but most of the trail is groomed for winter walking. Access from rue du Cardinal-Persico or the Domaine Cataraqui.

A chain of riverside trails follows the winding rivière du Cap Rouge through parc des Écores, parc de Champigny and other green spaces, about 13 km return. The city keeps them cleared for winter walking, and in the warm months they make a shady, peaceful nature walk. Free public trails, starting at parc des Écores (4001, rue Charles-A.-Roy).

A 44 hectare valley wilderness park beside Edwards Gardens, with more than 2 km of pedestrian and bicycle trails along the creek and plenty of undisturbed woodland for nature walks. There are picnic areas, fire pits, drinking fountains and a winterized accessible washroom. Open year round and free.

A peaceful forest on the Humber River near Royal York Road, with shaded trails, wetlands and river views. The City lists it among the top spots to see birds in Toronto, and the trails link to the Humber River Recreation Trail. Open year round and free.

A 154 hectare former country estate in the Don Valley between Leaside and the Bridle Path, with open fields, river trails and Glendon Forest, an Environmentally Significant Area of sugar maple, white pine, beech and hemlock. It is one of the top spots in the city to see birds and has a fenced dog off leash area. Open year round and free.

A 13.5 hectare park at the eastern edge of the city between Highland Creek and the Rouge River, with 3.8 km of continuous waterfront trail and great views of Lake Ontario. A pedestrian bridge crosses Highland Creek, and the trail continues over the Rouge River into Pickering. Open year round and free.

A quiet 5 hectare park near Mount Pleasant and St. Clair East with a mature tree canopy, picnic tables and a lookout over the Don River Valley. Switchback trails lead down into the valley and connect to the Beltline Trail and the Don Valley Brick Works. Open year round and free.

A 20.5 hectare park near Yonge and St. Clair with ornamental fountains, reflecting pools, a gated garden retreat and a children's playground on top of a reservoir. It overlooks a forested ravine, and trails with footbridges lead down into the valley to the Kay Gardner Beltline Trail. Open year round and free.

A series of formal Victorian style gardens beside St. James Cathedral in the heart of Old Town, with a grand gazebo, a central fountain and paths through flower beds and old trees. It is a lovely place for a quiet stroll near St. Lawrence Market. Open year round and free.