Walks and Views

Sylvan Park sits on top of the Scarborough Bluffs, and from here the Doris McCarthy Trail drops down through the wooded Gates Gully ravine to the Lake Ontario shoreline below the cliffs. It is one of the few ways to walk from the top of the Bluffs down to the water, with big views at the bottom. The trail is steep in places, so wear good shoes; parking is on the street only. Open year round. Free.

A quiet clifftop park in the Guildwood area that the City lists among the places to view the Scarborough Bluffs and Lake Ontario. It is a peaceful stop for a short walk with big lake views; parking is on the street only. The bluff edge is unstable, so stay behind fences and keep well back. Open year round. Free.

A small park on Undercliff Drive that the City lists as one of the places to see the Scarborough Bluffs above Lake Ontario. Come for a quiet look at the cliffs and the lake, especially at sunrise; parking is on the street only. The bluff edge is unstable, so stay behind fences and keep well back. Open year round. Free.

A neighbourhood park in east Scarborough that the City lists as a place to take in the Scarborough Bluffs and Lake Ontario. It is a calm spot for a short walk away from the busier Bluffer's Park crowds; parking is on the street only. The bluff edge is unstable, so stay behind fences and keep well back. Open year round. Free.

A quiet clifftop park on top of the Scarborough Bluffs with sweeping views over Lake Ontario. It is one of the City's listed spots for seeing the Bluffs, with a parking lot on site. The edge is unstable, so stay behind the fences and well back from the cliff. Open year round. Free.

More than 30 kilometres of mostly underground walkways linking over 75 downtown buildings, six subway stations, Union Station, City Hall and Metro Hall. It is a warm way to explore downtown in winter, lined with about 1,200 shops, restaurants and services. Walking the PATH is free; grab the City's PATH map so you do not get lost.

A peaceful historic cemetery whose tree collection is one of the finest in North America, with gardens, sculptures and the graves of notable Canadians such as Mackenzie King and Glenn Gould. Its winding roads make for a quiet, respectful walk in every season. From November 1 to March 31 the gates close at 5:30 PM (8 AM to 8 PM from April to October). Free to visit.

A free self-guided City of Toronto urban walk up University Avenue from Union Station, past Queen's Park, to Bloor Street. Stops include historic landmarks, many of them National Historic Sites; plan on one to two hours. Start at Union station with the downloadable route map. Free, no booking.

A free self-guided City of Toronto walk through downtown that looks at bike lanes, pedestrian improvements and streets designed to work for walking, cycling, transit and driving. It shows how some streets balance these needs better than others; allow two hours or more. St. George is the nearest subway station. Free, with a downloadable route map.

A free self-guided City of Toronto walking tour of the Beaches, a resort style neighbourhood about 15 minutes from downtown. Explore Queen Street East between Lockwood and Neville Park, then head down to the sandy beaches, the boardwalk and the lakeside paths; allow two hours or more. Take the 501 Queen streetcar east. Free, just download the route map (some details may be out of date).

A free self-guided City of Toronto walking tour that traces how the St. Lawrence neighbourhood grew from the 1830s on. Look for its 19th century commercial buildings and the grand St. Lawrence Hall; allow two hours or more. Download the route map; King and Union stations are close by. Free, no booking.

A free self-guided City of Toronto walking tour along the Danforth, Toronto's Greektown. Stroll past Greek restaurants, cafés, boutiques and produce stands; the route takes 30 minutes to under an hour. Broadview, Chester, Pape and Donlands subway stations are all on the way. Free, just download the route map.