Where To Run In Toronto 

If visiting Toronto or other parts of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the following are great running areas. You'll be amazed how much green space is here. The Toronto Transit Corp., or TTC, is the public carrier and offers clean subways, buses and streetcars to get around on. Consult a map for detailed street locations. Though most city parks described here have water fountains and washrooms, it is advised that you carry a water bottle year-round, or carry money to buy drinks. Sometimes fountains are out of order.

1. Edwards Gardens/Sunnybrook Park ... mid-Toronto.

Description: Beautiful park route with a series of connecting parks.

Distance: 5k/3mi. to railway trestle; another 10k south to lake.

Park: Drive or take the TTC to Edwards Gardens at the SW corner of Leslie St. & Lawrence Ave. Park in the SW corner of the parking lot and enter the path there.

Access: Follow Edwards 1.6k or 1 mile south to Sunnybrook Park (the washroom is there) and take a left there on the road heading south (past the park entrance) until you hit the paved path. This is well traveled and safe as it follows the Don River south. When you come to the big 'molars' or elevated gardens just past the wooden trestle bridge (5km/3mi from your start), you can turn right to follow the Don Valley path south to Lake Ontario (10k or 6 mi. away) or can go left into 'Taylor Creek Park' which will point you east and take you to Victoria Park Rd. in the east end (5k or 3 mile away - altogether a 20k/12mile return trip from Edwards Gardens).

2. Sunnybrook Park ... mid-Toronto:

Description: Another part of Sunnybrook Park. Enter park from the entrance on Leslie St. just north of Eglinton (not far from the Don Valley Parkway highway).

Distance: 1.6k or 1 mi. to stables, another 1.6k/1mi. to Glendon College; or go up hill behind stables and circle the soccer fields (another 2k/1.4mi).

Park: Park near the entrance or washroom.

Access: Follow the park system (south as described above), or head towards the stables and beyond. Sunnybrook has numerous dirt trails through its forests, perfect for running and walking, including a trail over to Glendon College. If you like a bit of hill work, catch the hill opposite the stables that heads up to the Sunnybrook Health Centre.

3. The Beltline... mid-Toronto

Description: Former railway line, now a tree-laden dirt path through mid-Toronto stretches from Mt. Pleasant Cemetery at Yonge/Davisville to the Allen Expressway. Shading in summer makes this a cool run on a hot day. Can be slippery in winter if snow-covered.

Distance: A one-way trip is 3.3 km or 2.1 miles

Park: Anywhere near Mt. Pleasant Cemetery

Access: Take the bridge across Yonge St.

4. Beltline/Cedarvale ... mid-Toronto:

Description: The tree-laden Beltline turns south through mid-Toronto residential areas and parks. The parks tend to be shaded and cool in summer and slippery in winter if snow-covered. Distance: Round trip is 12km or 7.5M.

Park: Anywhere near the cemetery

Access: Take the bridge across Yonge, follow Beltline to the Allen 'wall', head left to Eglinton. Cross, head south on Strathearn to Ava Rd., turn right, going 50m to Cedarvale Park entrance. Follow paved path onto dirt path 1km in. You'll pass ball diamonds. Continue another 1k southeast to Heath St. W. Head left 50m from the park exit, take Tweedsmuir Ave., go south to St. Clair Ave. Cross to south side, go right 125m to entrance to another trail (across street from Loblaws). This trail heads southeast from there, passing through Sir Winston Churchill Park, coming out on Boulton Drive. Turn right or south down to Cottingham, left on Poplar Plains Rd. and head up the hill to St. Clair Ave. Keep chanting, "I love hills because hills make me stronger." Turn right or east on St. Clair, go 100m to Forest Hill Rd., turn left and head north 1km (4 blocks) to Kilbarry Rd. Turn right or east here to the end at Lascelles, go left 20m and you're back at the Beltline. Turn right to cross back over to the cemetery.

5. The Martin Goodman Trail ... downtown lakefront Toronto

Description: The longest marked trail in Toronto, spanning the entire lakefront from the east beaches to the Humber Valley. Popular with runners, cyclists and in-line skaters because it's flat and smooth. The only challenging section is right downtown along Harbourfront where tourist/lakefront crowds swell its traffic. You may have to dodge ice cream vendors - which may not be a bad thing! Distance: unlimited - end to end is 20k/12mi.

Park: Anywhere Queen's Quay or Lakeshore Blvd.

Access: Follow the paved path with green & blue lines painted in the middle.

6. Toronto Islands... south of downtown waterfront:

Description: Miles of flat smooth roads, paths and boardwalks follow the shore or close to it. You're never far from a beautiful view.

Distance: 5.2k or 3.2mi. end to end (3.2k/2mi. from Centre Is. to Ward's)

Access: Take the ferry to Ward's Island, Centre Island or Hanlan's Point.