Toronto Waterfront Trail (Boardwalk Access)

The Waterfront Trail in Toronto covers some of the most gorgeous natural settings you will ever see.  Because of the amalgamation of the cities, Toronto runs from Etobicoke from the west to Scarborough Bluffs in the east.  

That being said, the waterfront trail is accessed from Kew Beach in the East, not Scarborough at all.  In fact the waterfront trail ends and can be picked up to the east in 22 km which is quite a trek of overhauling over rough terrain with your bike to get to where it begins again.  I always prefer going west for this reason only. 

I've comfortably been able to ride my bike from Toronto to as far west to Bronte and beyond going west using the Waterfront trail this past summer.  

The entire trail runs along Lake Ontario and covers an expanse of about 350 kilometers.  On the western shores of Lake Ontario it runs from Stoney Creek to Quinte West.  There are dozens of access points in Toronto and Mississauga to get onto this trail.  

The mere historical value of anything that you'll pass along the trail such as Commissioner Street for example, which runs from Cherry Street to Leslie) is one of the oldest streets in Toronto.  I love it because it's quiet and it makes me feel so good inside like a child again when Toronto was way less busy as it is now.


Now there are several movie studios that earn quite a pretty penny working out of Commissioner street.  Of course one of the now most popular spots at the foot of Leslie Street is the Tommy Thompson Trail (or the Leslie Spit)  

Biking has taken on a new meaning in Toronto since we hosted the Panam games in 2015.  Although in the aftermath of spending over $2Billion dollars constructing  venues and infrastructures such as the Union-Pearson Express rail train, we were left with the most amazing bike trail ever!  It's a marked path, that runs beautiful along the harbourfront right down towards the exhibition stadium and continues right through to the west.  

I might add a few more pictures here later, but for now you get the idea.

Happy trails! 

Waterfront Trail (Queens Quay access)

Shipped docked at HTO Park

There is a route terminus located at Lakeshore Blvd and the Don Roadway.  Looming overhead is the Don Valley Parkway where it splits off into the Gardiner Expressway.  Heading westbound along Lakeshore (Waterfront Trail West) you will pass Sherbourne Common and the HTO Park.  The HTO park is like an urban beach.  I have never seen it before but heard quite a lot about it.  It opened in 2007 and its located right at the Harbourfront 

HTO Park

Sherbourne Common

Lakeshore and Don Roadway

Centre, on Lake Ontario.  Although it was quite busy, I found it looked a little awkward seeing people sit on beach sand that was obviously scattered over clean cement.  It was very surreal.  Almost like a perfect world made with artificially enhanced green grass and bright yellow umbrellas. It looked much like 'SIMCity", but with real people.  Back on the trail westbound on Queens Quay.  This portion of the path is on-road, so youre sharing with buses, cabs and other cyclists.  The sidewalks are extra wide, but not only is it against the law, but you may find this area of TO a little to busy to manoeuvre around, especially during the summer months, when there is so much happening by the water.  I suggest you stop here and take a look around, take the ferry boat across the water to the Islands or a cool one at many of the outdoor patios along Queens Quay.

CNE / Ontario Place

Pavillion/Rowing Club/tennis/swimming

Continue west of Queens Quay past Spadina Avenue and Bathurst Street and the trail picks up again after the the HMCS York (Canadian Forces naval Reserve) building and curves into Coronation Park and the Yacht Club.  Up next is the gates of the Exhibition Place (CNE) and Fort York.  This will bring you directly through the docks and Ontario Place.  While continuing on the 'Waterfront Trail" on Lakesore past the Argonaut Rowing Club and the Boulevard Club, you'll seeing some tennis courts, and swimming pools.  Continue westbound to Sunnyside Park.  This is a gorgeous spot for picnics, swimming and inline skating.  Once through the park, the trail curves to the Humber River Bridge.  The Humber River Bridge is right next to the Palace Pier.  This is when the trail becomes tricky.  At the western point of the bridge there is a path that leads down onto the Humber trail (see "Humber Trail" Path).

Back on Humber Trail

Humber River Bridge