Field guide
Running routes in Toronto’s main parks for visitors
Find running routes and hiking trails in Toronto. This guide covers High Park, the Don Valley trails, and Toronto Island Park using official city information.
Toronto offers several distinct areas for running and hiking. High Park provides a large, traditional park setting with natural areas. The Don Valley contains a network of trails with both paved and natural surfaces for different activities.
For a different experience, Toronto Island Park is accessible by ferry and has paved paths of specific lengths. Each location has its own characteristics, from forested trails to paths shared with cyclists.
| Place | Distance (official) | Hours | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Park | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Don Valley trails | 5 km; 1.3 km | Not listed | Natural surface |
| Toronto Island Park | 1.11 km; 1.68 km | Not listed | Not listed |
High Park
High Park is a 399 acre park, with approximately two-thirds of its area remaining in a natural state. This provides a mix of maintained parkland and more rugged terrain for running or walking. Visitors can access the park by TTC bus or streetcar.
Vehicle access is permitted on weekdays but not on Saturdays, Sundays, or statutory holidays. There are 276 parking spaces available when vehicle access is open. Dogs must be leashed except in the designated off-leash area.
- Park description
- A large, centrally located park that combines extensive natural areas with maintained parkland, recreational facilities and popular attractions that can be enjoyed year-round.
- Natural state percentage
- Approximately two-thirds of High Park remains in a natural state.
- Park size
- 399 acres
- Main address
- 1873 Bloor St W
- Total vehicle parking spaces
- 276 (except during peak cherry blossom period)
- TTC Bus access
- Bus route 203 High Park operates seasonally between High Park station on Line 2 Bloor–Danforth and other destinations in the park.
- TTC Streetcar access
- Streetcar route 506 Carlton also runs between Main Street Station on the Bloor-Danforth Subway and the High Park Loop.
- Dog rules
- Dogs are welcome. Owners and/or commercial dog walkers should make sure all dogs are leashed unless in the dogs off-leash area.
Sources: High Park (toronto.ca), High Park (toronto.ca), Colborne Lodge (toronto.ca). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Full notes: Running and hiking the High Park loop in Toronto
Don Valley trails
The Don Valley trail system includes varied options. The Lower Don Trail is a 5 km multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists along the Don River. After heavy rain, sections of this trail can be covered in runoff and silt.
For hiking or trail running, Crothers Woods has approximately 10 kilometres of natural surface trails in a forest habitat. The Sun Valley Trail is a 1.3 km beginner trail that includes one steep 100 m section.
- Lower Don Trail type
- Multi-use trail for pedestrians and cyclists
- Crothers Woods description
- Unique and extensive forest habitat in the Don River Valley
- Lower Don Trail location
- Along the Don River, from Pottery Road to Corktown Commons
- Lower Don Trail length
- 5 km
- Crothers Woods trail length
- Approximately 10 kilometres
- Sun Valley Trail length
- 1.3 km
- Crothers Woods trail surface
- Natural surface
- Sun Valley Trail difficulty
- Multi-purpose beginner trail with one 100 m steep section
Sources: Lower Don River Trail Improvements (toronto.ca), Trails (toronto.ca). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Toronto Island Park
Toronto Island Park is reached by ferry, and it is recommended to buy tickets in advance. The park contains multiple paved paths, including a 1.11 km path from the Island Filtration Plant to the boardwalk and a 1.68 km path from the boardwalk to the Ward's Island Ferry Dock.
Another route runs 0.76 km from the Centre Island Ferry Dock to the Lookout Pier. The park has 20 bike trails, so runners and walkers should expect to share the space. Domestic animals are not allowed on the Blue Flag beach.
- Park type
- One of Toronto’s most beloved parks
- Location detail
- Centre Island is part of Toronto Island Park
- District
- Toronto and East York
- Ward
- Spadina-Fort York
- Path length (Island Filtration Plant to boardwalk)
- 1.11 km
- Path length (boardwalk to Ward's Island Ferry Dock)
- 1.68 km
- Path length (Centre Island Ferry Dock to Lookout Pier)
- 0.76 km
- Ferry tickets
- Buy in advance
Sources: Toronto Island & Ferries (toronto.ca), Toronto Island Park (toronto.ca). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Before you go
- Buy ferry tickets in advance to access Toronto Island Park.
- High Park is closed to visitor vehicles on Saturdays, Sundays, and statutory holidays.
- The Lower Don Trail can be difficult to navigate after heavy rain due to surface runoff.
- Be prepared to share multi-use trails with cyclists in the Don Valley and on Toronto Island.
- Keep dogs leashed in High Park unless you are in the designated off-leash area.
- Note that domestic animals are prohibited on the Blue Flag beach at Toronto Island Park.
More cities: City running and hiking guides.