A series of connected parks and trails provide for a run of nearly 15 km from the Botanical Gardens/Edwards Gardens in the north to the Lakeshore in the south. This route incorporates several parks and trails including the Wilket Creek Recreational Trail, the W Don Trail, and the Lower Don Trail. There are also connections to other trails and parks in the area. It’s a combination of parks, gardens, fields, wooded terrain, and some water views. The southern 10 km parallels the Don River & Don Valley Parkway. Pick a segment and go!
At the north end, start at the Edwards Gardens, which are part of the Toronto Botanical Gardens, and lovely for running. Continue south on the Wilket Creek Trail for 2.6 km through a series of parks — Sunnybrook Park, Wilket Park, and Serena Gundy Park — to Eglinton Ave. E (lots of additional side trails). Cross Eglinton to the Ontario Science Center, where there are more trails on the grounds through ET Seton Park, paralleling Don Mills Rd. Just south, in the Thorncliffe area, you’ll connect with the Lower Don Mills River trails in the Lower Don Parklands (see our route there). This trail is along the river and paralleling the Don Valley Pkwy. South of Bloor & Bayview (a major intersection, connections to the Beltline Trail & mid-town Toronto to the west), the Lower Don Trail continues to Lake Shore Blvd. There, connect to the Martin Goodman Trail or our Distillery route.
A series of connected parks and trails provide for a run of nearly 15 km from the Botanical Gardens/Edwards Gardens in the north to the Lakeshore in the south. This route incorporates several parks and trails including the Wilket Creek Recreational Trail, the W Don Trail, and the Lower Don Trail. There are also connections to other trails and parks in the area. It’s a combination of parks, gardens, fields, wooded terrain, and some water views. The southern 10 km parallels the Don River & Don Valley Parkway. Pick a segment and go!
At the north end, start at the Edwards Gardens, which are part of the Toronto Botanical Gardens, and lovely for running. Continue south on the Wilket Creek Trail for 2.6 km through a series of parks — Sunnybrook Park, Wilket Park, and Serena Gundy Park — to Eglinton Ave. E (lots of additional side trails). Cross Eglinton to the Ontario Science Center, where there are more trails on the grounds through ET Seton Park, paralleling Don Mills Rd. Just south, in the Thorncliffe area, you’ll connect with the Lower Don Mills River trails in the Lower Don Parklands (see our route there). This trail is along the river and paralleling the Don Valley Pkwy. South of Bloor & Bayview (a major intersection, connections to the Beltline Trail & mid-town Toronto to the west), the Lower Don Trail continues to Lake Shore Blvd. There, connect to the Martin Goodman Trail or our Distillery route.
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Essentials
Up to 14.6 km (9.1 miles) between Edwards Gardens & the Lakeshore. Numerous additional trails & spurs
108m feet (354 feet), north to south
North End: Edwards Gardens; South End: Lake Shore Blvd. E
A 5-mile tour of downtown Toronto landmarks. Start at City Hall, and run by The Royal Ontario Museum, Queen’s Park, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the University of Toronto.
The signature running trail along the Lake Ontario waterfront in Toronto. A great run from downtown is from Queen’s Quay to the Humber River Bridge, about 5 miles.
Some great waterfront running 4.5 miles west of Queen’s Quay, bordering Etobicoke. Includes Humber Bay Shores Park, Humber Bay Park East and West, and Mimico Waterfront Park, then looping back to the bridge.
A wonderful 400 acre park just north of the lakeshore and Sunnyside Beach. There are lovely gardens, little bridges, ponds, and waterfalls, and some more secluded trails.
A linear park running about 8 miles through the northeast part of the city, connecting the neighborhoods of Rosedale, Moore Park, Forest Hill, Chaplin Estates, and Fairbank. The trail consists of three sections.
A series of trails running through a ravine in North Toronto, connecting Sunnybrook Park with the Alexander Muir Memorial Gardens in the west. Mainly wooded, and even some hill opportunities! Can connect to our Edwards Gardens/Lower Don route.
In addition to the Ravine Trail and the Don Valley trails, good additional running options in North York are the Upper Don Trail, the 15 km Finch Hydro Corridor Trail, G Ross Lord Park, and the York University campus, and some parkland trails accessible from there.
This is a good option slightly east of downtown. Enjoy a quick jaunt through the Distillery Historic District (fun shops, restaurants), and join the Lower Don River Trail in the aptly named Corktown Commons.
A fun residential community near the water about 3 miles east of downtown. There are some good running options here, including the Woodbine Beach Boardwalk, and the “Spit” out to the lighthouse.
A 15 minute ferry ride from downtown, the ‘Island’ is a great destination for runners, with numerous trail options. There are beaches, picnic grounds, a lighthouse, a disc golf course, gardens, and great views of the Toronto skyline.
This western suburb near Pearson Airport has some excellent running options, including several longer, linear park trails. Highlights include the Etobicoke Creek Trail, West Deane Park Path, trails along the Humber River, Centennial Park, and Humber Bay Park.
The iconic run in Scarborough is the waterfront path at Scarborough Bluffs, with great views of the cliffs and the waterfront. There's also a 10 km waterfront path between East Point Park and Frenchman's Bay. Trail runners will love Rouge River Park.
Enjoy a trail run in the largest urban park in North America! There are many km of trails, with options for all abilities. Combination of meadows, forests, wetlands and farmland, with some views of the Rouge and Little Rouge rivers.
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Essentials
Up to 14.6 km (9.1 miles) between Edwards Gardens & the Lakeshore. Numerous additional trails & spurs
108m feet (354 feet), north to south
North End: Edwards Gardens; South End: Lake Shore Blvd. E
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!