A great way to destress and get grounded is by being in nature. We’re lucky to live in a city that has so much green space, waterfronts, and woody trails for us to get lost in.
Whether you’re planning out a summer vacation, taking a break this weekend, or even just want to let go after work hours on a Wednesday night, you’ll be sure to find peace, beauty and tranquillity in any of these natural havens in and around the city. Check out our list of the 10 best Toronto nature destinations to visit as soon as you can!
1. High Park
High Park is Toronto’s largest public park featuring many hiking trails, sports facilities, diverse vegetation, a beautiful lakefront, convenient parking, easy public transit access, a dog park, a zoo, playgrounds for children, a couple of eateries, greenhouses, picnic areas, a bunch of squirrels and various events throughout the year!
2. Cherry Beach
Located on the north shore of the Outer Harbour at the foot of Cherry Street. The park features a dog off-leash area, ample parking is located on the Martin Goodman Trail and receives TTC bus service during the summer season. The west side of the beach is popular with kite borders.
3. Woodbine Beach
A broad and beautiful curve of sand at the foot of Woodbine Avenue, this popular 15.2-hectare park is one of the city’s many beaches and the gateway to three kilometres of sandy waterfront stretching eastward along the Lake Ontario shoreline. Woodbine Beach is a popular spot for picnics, sunbathing and swimming with wide stretches of sand, summer lifeguards, a bathing station and the Donald D. Summerville Outdoor Olympic Pool nearby.
4. Lakeshore
The harbourfront area of Toronto has undergone major redevelopment in recent years and is now a bustling hub of the downtown area. Check out trails, boardwalks, tourist attractions and various fun activities on the waterfront from swimming to kayaking!
5. Scarborough Bluffs
Bluffs stretch for about 15 km along the Lake Ontario shore, from the Eastern Beaches of Toronto in the west to East Point Park in the east. The Scarborough Bluffs are a significant geological feature resulting from the accumulation of sedimentary deposits over 12,000 years ago. They were formed by the natural processes of wind and water erosion from Lake Ontario.
6. Humber River
The Humber River has rich human history as a home for Indigenous peoples along its banks, as an ancient transportation route known as the Carrying Place Trail, and as a site for many of Toronto’s post-European settlement homes and industries.
The Carrying Place Trail is one of the oldest established transportation routes in Canada and is the highlight of the Humber’s CHRS designation.
7. Toronto Island
Toronto Island Park has something to offer for everyone. Go to the beach, rent a bike, have a picnic or just head out on a hike!
8. Cedarvale – Nordheimer Ravines
The Nordheimer Ravines contain one of the finest stands of old Oaks in the city. The Spadina Storm Trunk Sewer follows this ravine and sanitary sewers feed to the Core Interceptor Sewer via a trunk sewer that roughly follows the old stream as far as Parliament Street.
9. Edwards Gardens
Edwards Gardens sits adjacent to the Toronto Botanical Garden. This former estate garden features perennials and roses on the uplands and wildflowers, rhododendrons and an extensive rockery in the valley. On the upper level of the valley, there is also a lovely arboretum beside the children’s Teaching Garden.
10. Trinity Bellwoods Park
A 14.6-hectare park on Queen Street West at Strachan Avenue once the home of the University of Trinity College. The park sits atop the now buried Garrison Creek and features three ball diamonds, eight tennis courts, two volleyball courts, an artificial ice rink, a dog off-leash area, a picnic area, a wading pool and a children’s playground. Located in the southwest section of the park is the Trinity Community Recreation Centre.
11. Bonus – Sunset Spots
Looking for other fun things to do around the city? Check out last week’s blog post for events and attractions you can now visit!
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