Hiking.
The Mast Trail in Rouge National Urban Park threads 2.5 kilometres of historic White Pine masting route through the Toronto/Scarborough portion of the park, and Vista, Cedar, Orchard, Glen Eagles Vista, and Woodland fill out the trail inventory on the Toronto side. Across town, High Park's Spring Creek Ravine and Western Ravine cut through the city's roughly 23-hectare Black Oak Savannah, and the Don Valley network strings Crothers Woods, Riverdale Park, and the Brick Works along the Lower Don.
The brief.
The Mast Trail is rated moderate-to-difficult — it's the steepest historic route on the Toronto side of Rouge NUP, with one-way travel and a return on a parallel trail. Rouge NUP is free year-round; parking lots open 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The High Park Black Oak Savannah is subject to managed prescribed burns in early spring as part of the City's natural-area programming; stay on designated paved paths through the natural areas. Don Valley sections of the Lower Don Trail have been intermittently closed for Metrolinx construction (Pottery Road–Queen Street stretch), with reopening expected by spring 2026 — check City conditions before going.
Ravine trails are icy from mid-winter through early spring.
5. places.
- 01
Rouge National Urban Park — Toronto/Scarborough portion (Mast Trail, Vista Trail, Cedar Trail and Beare Wetlands Loop, Orchard Trail, Glen Eagles Vista Trail, Woodland Trail)
Mast Trail (2.5 km one way, moderate–difficult, the historic White Pine masting route) is the marquee hike on the Toronto side; the supporting trails fill out the southern end of Canada's first national urban park.
- 02
High Park western woodlands
Spring Creek Ravine and Western Ravine nature trails through the ~23-ha Black Oak Savannah; access from Bloor Street across from Quebec Avenue or the north end of Grenadier Pond.
- 03
Don River Valley — Crothers Woods, Riverdale Park, Don Valley Brick Works, Taylor Creek Park
TRCA-managed Environmentally Significant Area; mixed paved (Lower Don Trail) and natural-surface ravine trails through the lower Don.
- 04
Humber River trail and Humber Marshes
Riverside paths along the lower Humber River through Etienne Brûlé Park and the Humber Marshes — a major Lake Ontario river-mouth wetland.
- 05
Beltline Trail
~9 km former CPR rail corridor running north–south from Allen Road to the Don Valley through the midtown ravines.
Today's read.
Cool but comfortable for layered effort · light winds · clean air.
By the book.
- 01Toronto Ravine and Natural Feature Protection Bylaw governs activity in the protected ravine and natural-feature areas: no vegetation removal, no dumping; permits required for any work within the protected boundary.Source ↗
- 02High Park: stay on designated paved paths in the natural areas; the Black Oak Savannah is subject to managed prescribed burns in early spring. Off-leash dog use restricted to designated areas.Source ↗
- 03Rouge National Urban Park is free and open year-round; parking lots open 7:30 am–9 pm.Source ↗