Mimico Creek Trail +++

Trail length:  there and back about 2 km.

This trail is best walked in the winter after the creek has frozen.  Other wise a detour is required to cross the Queensway.  When frozen you can cross the river on the ice going under the Queensway bridge. 

Trail head: Jeff Healey Park

                  16 Daniels Street                   (At Burma Drive

                  Toronto ON

Free street Parking on Daniels St. or on Burma Dr.

The first part of the trail is paved with stairs going down to the park. Walk past the tennis courts and the playground toward the Mimico Creek.  As you approach the creek look for the trail on the right.  

Trail surface:  In summer time dirt trail between wild grasslands.  Can be wet or muddy after rain.  In winter snow trail usually clearly marked by the local walkers. 

The trail follows the creek fairly closely all the way to the tracks for the Go train.  This is the turn around point.

Some scrambling required because the underpasses are not all the same level. 

Creek view at the turn around point.

Wildlife can often be spotted here.

Location: 

Nearest major intersection: Queensway and Park Lawn Rd.

Driving westbound on Queensway take the 2nd right after the bridge onto Burma.  

At the end of Burma is the entrance to the park. 

Equipment:   Hiking boots, Trekking sticks for the scrambles or be prepared to use your hands. 

Water 

Ashbridge's Bay Park

Ashbridge's Bay Park

1561 Lakeshore Blvd East, Toronto, On M4L 3W6

1.7 mile trail located in the east end of Toronto accessible off of Lakeshore Blvd East

Overview of the trail and points of interest:

views and places for a picnic

• Some trails are paved others are well maintained hard pack surface
• Access to swimming at Woodbine Beach, and the Woodbine Beach Boardwalk
• Great place to watch a sunset.

Cost for entry or parking:  

• City parking fees apply during peak hours.
• With many options and places to picnic this is good destination to plan a longer stay.

Word of caution – this is a popular spot so if you are coming here during peak season and peak hours plan accordingly. Off season you will find parking easier to find and there will be fewer people around.

Trail Map: This is a tame city trail no worries – just follow the paths you won’t get lost.

Location: near Coxwell and Lakeshore Blvd.  

Map: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?address=%5B1+-+31%5D+Ashbridges+Bay+Park+Rd&city=Toronto&state=ON&zipcode=M4L&country=CA&redirect=true

Directions: 

From downtown Toronto - head east bound of Lakeshore

Just east of Coxwell the park is well marked on the right.  

                  

Parking: is located just a short distance from the entrance on Lakeshore Blvd.  City parking fees apply during peak times.

Equipment:   

a good pair of walking shoes 

a camera if you love to take pictures, you will have photo opportunities. 

Halton Hill Conservation Area

Halton Hill Conservation area is in the Escarpment Area near Milton.  There is a slight climb up into the escarpment and then most of the trail is at that level.  Points of interest include a water fall, the ruins of a mill and a beaver pond on 16 Mile Creek

Most of the trails are wide and smooth, however some areas are very rocky and caution needs to be exercised.







There is a fee to enter the Conservation Area so I recommend this as a day trip.  Pack a lunch and plan about 3 or 4 hours of hiking.  There are plenty of trails to keep you busy all day!


A good description of the area and a trail map can be found at http://www.haltonhikes.ca/haltonO6hiltonfalls.html
They also sell maps at the park store.



Location: Halton Hills / near the intersection of Appleby Line and Campbellville Rd



Directions: from Toronto take 401 west
                 take exit 320 toward Halton Hills
                 Merge onto Route 25 north
                 turn left (west) on 5 Sideroad
                 5 Silderoad becomes Campbellville Rd
                 pass Appleby Line about 200 Meters
                 Halton Hills Conservation area is on the
                 right


Parking: at the bend in the road is the gate where you pay and beyond that there is plenty of parking


Equipment:   Hiking boots recommended (thick soles) as there are lots of rocks and rough patches where the extra cushioning is welcome.

I would have been happier if I had my hiking stick especially for some parts of the Beaver Dam Trail

Humber Bay Park (East and West)

Humber Bay Park East is right on the Toronto waterfront. As you walk here you can see Lake Ontario, the mouth of the Mimico Creek, and views to the city.






Humber Bay Park West is located across the bridge over the Mimico Creek.  This is where the boat launches are as well as the historic lighthouse





East Park - The trails are either paved or gravel but there are some narrow earth trails allow you to take exploratory side trips to get even closer to nature.
West Park - the trails are mostly the make your own kind as you stoll along the grassy picnic areas.


there is a great map of the area at http://www.waterfronttrail.org/maps/wt-2_10.pdf
and taking a copy with you is a good idea if you are not familiar with the area.


web site with more information on the park
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humber_Bay_Park



Location: Toronto / south at the waterfront



Directions: Lakeshore Rd and Parklawn Rd
                East Park turn south onto Marine Parade
                Dr. and look for entrance to Park on the  
                right
                West Park return to Lakeshore and drive
                east over the bridge then turn into the
                park
                
Parking:  East Park: street parking along Marine Dr
              there is also pay parking in the park.
              West Park: Pay parking during the summer
              months

Malton Greenway Trail

Malton Greenway follows the Mimico Creek in the Malton area.  This trail follows a narrow greenzone through the centre of a built up residential and commercial area.  I think the idea of the trail is great and it is promoted...but the love stops there.  Lots of litter along the way even though there are lots of garbage bins along the length of the path.   The overhanding branches and waterside grasses of the creek are littered with tangled remains of bags and other debris.  The last entry on the "greenway cleanup site" is Aug 2009....which says it all.

Most of the trail is a paved bike path. There are the rare narrow dirt trails to get closs to the creek. 

South of Derry Road, into Wildwood Park, is a wide mown grass trail.  This is where Wildwood Park Trail begins and his section of the trail is much more pleasant. 



The trail runs mainly north south along the creek and the map provided is quite good

Web site for map  http://www.trca.on.ca/dotAsset/38548.pdf

Location:  Malton

Directions: Derry Road East and Goreway Dr
                turn south on Goreway Dr
                turn right into Wildwood Park
                
Parking:  right at the entrance to the Park

Rattray Marsh Conservation Area

Rattray Marsh Conservation Area is located between Lakeshore Rd and the waterfront. As you walk here you can see the Sheridan River, woodlands marshes and Lake Ontario with views toward the skyline of Toronto

The gravel trails are wide and smooth, the wet areas have well maintained boardwalk paths.

You can easily access the pebble beach and walk along the edge of the lake.

There are extensive trails through beautiful scenery so it becomes a delightful stroll or power walk hike depending on your desire.  My first visit I spent over 2 hours just walking, looking and enjoying.














web site with more information on the area
http://www.creditvalleyca.ca/enjoy-the-outdoors/conservation-areas/rattray-marsh-conservation-area/


Location:  Mississauga / south of the Lakeshore


Directions: Lakeshore Rd and Meadow Wood Rd
turn south onto Meadow Wood Rd. 
                
As you come to the small bridge look on the left for the sign to the Conservation area with parking for 3 cars.  

There is a stone arch to enter the trail and large sign with a trail map.

The foot of Bexhill Road is another entrance

Colonel Samuel Smith Park

Colonel Samuel Smith Park is right on the waterfront.  As you walk here you can see Lake Ontario, the waves crashing on the shore and the Toronto city skyline.

The gravel trails are wide and smooth, and the narrow earth trails allow you to take exploratory side trips to get even closer to nature.

There is an extensive system of trails so it becomes easy to add variety to your route.














web site with more information on the park
http://kidsenergyburner.com/playgrounds/parks/colonel-samuel-smith-park-toronto-ontario


Location:  Toronto / south Etobicoke



Directions: Lakeshore Rd and Kipling Ave
                 turn south onto 
                 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr
                 drive past Humber College
                 drive past the Yacht Club
               
Parking:  at the very end of the road there is parking on the left