Walks and Views

A long sandy beach on Lake Ontario with a wooden boardwalk running east along the shore through the Beaches neighbourhood. It is lovely for a sunrise or sunset walk in any season, with a playground, outdoor fitness equipment and picnic sites along the way. Free and open year round.

A small, beautifully planted garden on the waterfront whose winding paths and terraces were designed to echo a piece of music. It is a peaceful spot for a stroll by the boats and marina on Queens Quay West. Free and open year round.

A lakefront park on two peninsulas jutting into Lake Ontario, with shoreline paths, ponds, picnic sites and great views back to the downtown skyline. A short walk north along the waterfront brings you to the elegant white Humber Bay Arch Bridge over the mouth of the Humber River. Free and open year round.

A nature park in the old Don Valley brick quarry, with ponds, meadows, walking trails and a dog off leash area, right next to Evergreen Brick Works. Climb the trails on the north slope for a sweeping view over the valley toward downtown. Free and open year round.

Set on top of the Scarborough Bluffs, this park mixes woods, waterfront, formal gardens and a unique outdoor collection of public art and architectural fragments saved from old Toronto buildings. It is a magical place for a slow walk among the stone columns and facades. Free and open year round.

A lakefront park at the foot of the Scarborough Bluffs, the tall white cliffs that line about 15 km of Lake Ontario. Walk along the beach and waterfront for dramatic views of the cliffs, and bring a picnic. Stay behind the fences and well away from the unstable edge of the bluffs. Free to visit, with a parking lot.

A long human made peninsula reaching into Lake Ontario, now a wild urban park with more than 300 recorded bird species and great views of the Toronto skyline. Walk the trails out toward the lighthouse at the tip. It is open weekday evenings 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends and holidays 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; pets are not allowed. Free entry and a free parking lot at the entrance.

One of the largest urban parks in North America, with forest and river valley trails, wetlands, farmland and lots of wildlife on the eastern edge of Toronto. Parks Canada also runs free guided walks with volunteers and staff. The park is free and open 365 days a year, and its parking lots are open 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Note that Zoo Road Day Use Area and Rouge Beach and Marsh are currently closed, so check the bulletin before you go.

Varennes' riverside park on the St. Lawrence, with an elevated boardwalk, picnic areas, an urban beach area, public art inspired by the river and access to the bike path. Open all year; in winter a groomed cross country ski trail of about 3.4 km starts west of the parking lot. Free to visit; only the boat launch is paid.

A quiet nature interpretation site at the north end of Sainte-Julie, with an easy loop of trails and boardwalks around ponds, an observation platform, shelters and benches. Good for birdwatching and an hour's walk in any season. Dogs are not allowed.

Explore Vieux-La Prairie, a declared heritage site, on a 13 stop GPS walking circuit (about 60 minutes) with the free BaladoDécouverte app, or using the map posted at Parc du Rempart. Along the streets you will also find the Parcours d'ambiance, street furniture decorated by local artists. Free at any time; works without a smartphone using the city's PDF map.

Chambly's largest park (47 hectares) protects wetlands and a forest crossed by nine small streams, home to 26 bird species, frogs and salamanders. It has 5 km of walking trails in all seasons, plus 12 km of fat bike trails and 6 km of cross country ski trails in winter. A good choice for families and nature lovers. No entry fee is mentioned by the city; bring your own equipment.