Five Gorgeous Hiking Trails Near Toronto To Try Any Time Of The Year
No matter what time of the year it is, there are many hiking trails near Toronto and Southern Ontario to explore.
As we live just west of Toronto, most of the trails we’ve hiked are in this area. They are so close to the city that you can do a half day trip very easily. And there are so many gorgeous hiking trails that you can spend a full summer exploring.
Although there are numerous places to explore, we’re sharing our favourite hiking trails near Toronto. These are a great start to your adventure, exploring the trails in Southern Ontario.
1 // Hendrie Valley – Burlington / Hamilton
Hendrie Valley is a bird lover’s paradise. It’s located at the Royal Botanical Gardens, and is a popular place for walks for locals and visitors alike. It offers some of the most beautiful hiking trails west of Toronto.
Bring your binoculars and zoom lenses. The trails aren’t too difficult here and a boardwalk takes you around the marshy areas where many birds make their homes.
Parking is ample. Pay at the entrance to the trail through an honour system. The fees cover maintenance for the trails and surrounding area.
2 // Mount Nemo Conservation Area – Burlington
Mount Nemo is a climb. It’s really a workout for anybody who wants to get a good dose of exercise. It’s why it makes my list of top five hiking trails near Toronto.
However, it’s all worth the effort. It includes hills, wooded trails, and cliffs with amazing lookouts. This is not a place to take little children, as some parts get close to the Niagara Escarpment edge.
Many people did not use proper judgment and ended up falling off the edge of the Escarpment. Be careful! No selfie or Instagram photo or any photo of any kind is worth the risk.
Tip: hike at Mount Nemo Conservation Area early in the morning for gorgeous sunrise views from the east.
3 // Forks of the Credit Provincial Park & Belfountain Conservation Area
These are a couple of our favourite hiking trails near Toronto!
Located in the same area, these two parks are located in one of the prettiest areas of the Niagara Escarpment. The roads around this area get very busy on nice Saturday and Sunday afternoons because of the gorgeous, winding drive. So if you don’t like crowds, plan your hike for earlier in the day.
Bring your camera for some great photo scenes along the trail at Belfountain. Forks of the Credit Provincial Park is big and hilly, so plan on a long hike.
Read our posts from past visits: Forks of the Credit River / Belfountain. You can see why they’re considered some of the most beautiful hiking trails near Toronto.
4 // High Park, Toronto
What if I told you that there are some of the best hiking trails right in the heart of Toronto? Well, just west of the centre.
If you’re in Toronto, getting here is as easy as hopping on a TTC subway and getting off at High Park station. No excuses not to enjoy a walk in nature and potentially see one of these furry creatures:
While it’s a beautiful spot in the summer, in the fall and winter, High Park has its own charm. We visited High Park in the wintertime and spotted many animals while exploring the trails.
Note that during certain times of the year it gets busy at High Park. In May you have the cherry blossoms at High Park, so you’re bound to get crowds. And in the summer, there are often festivals, picnics and other events like marathon runs here. So check the park’s site to see if it’s quiet for your chosen visit.
5 // Hamilton Rail Trail, Hamilton
High up above the city of Hamilton, there once was a rail line that has now been converted into the Hamilton Rail Trail.
Why does it make our list of top hiking trails near Toronto? It’s because you get to see a different Ontario city and a beautiful vista below you. It’s an opportunity to explore and see the world outside of the concrete jungle that’s Toronto. Hamilton still has some of the old charm of what Toronto was before the building boom in the 1990s and 2000s. Although that’s changing fast too.
But back to the Hamilton Rail Trail. It makes the list of some of the best hiking trails near Toronto for not only the view.
To get up you can challenge your cardio abilities climbing up one of the many long stairways such as the Kenilworth stairs. We like to take a section of the trail and do a round trip back to our starting point for a good walk.
If you’re hiking with little kids, consider some of these tips to keep your sanity. Especially if you’re hiking with willful toddlers!
If you’re looking for other adventures close to Toronto, consider these posts for inspiration:
10 Places One Hour Away From Toronto To Explore
Things To Do In High Park In Winter
QUESTION: What are your favourite hiking trails near Toronto for long hikes?
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I can’t wait ’til the weather cools down a bit so we can get out for some serious hikes again.
Teena – if Frank and I can find a weekend, we’d love to have you and Gord join us!