The Greater Toronto area, extending along Lake Ontario, is a fast-growing region of nearly 7 million people. Our guide to running in the Greater Toronto area is divided into two ‘locations’: the City of Toronto, which extends from the lake north to Highway 407, east to Scarbourough and west to Etobicoke; and Toronto GTA, from Clarington to Burlington in the York, Durham, Peel, and Halton regions. This includes routes in Oshawa, Ajax/Pickering, Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill/Newmarket/Aurora, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, and Burlington.
The best places to run in the Greater Toronto Area are on the numerous waterfront paths along Lake Ontario, and a large network of multi-use trails connecting north-south linear parks. Also, much of Lakeshore Rd. from Lakeside Park in Mississauga west to Burlington, is also runnable — there are decent sidewalks and often some lovely homes and occasional lake views.
Runners should note that these communities are connected by the Go Train and other public transit options. Also, some of the paths might not be maintained in winter, which can be cold and snowy.
