The best cycling routes in Claireville Conservation Area

The West Humber River is paralleled for much of its run by the paved, multi-use West Humber River Recreational Trail. The river also passes along the edge of the beautiful Humber Arboretum, which is a great place to spend a warm afternoon.

The Humber River spans 126 kilometres and flows from the Niagara Escarpment and Oak Ridges Moraine to Lake Ontario. Its watershed spans over 900 square kilometres and includes forests, meadows, wetlands, and urban areas, making it one of Toronto’s most ecologically and historically significant rivers. Designated a Canadian Heritage River in 1999, the Humber served as a vital travel corridor for Indigenous peoples and early European settlers, including along the Toronto Carrying-Place Trail.

Boyd Conservation Area is a beautiful 401-hectare park with several trails that wind through forest and open meadows. There are multiple picnic sites and open green spaces, making this a perfect spot for a leisurely walk, birdwatching, or enjoying a lovely picnic under the trees.

The Humber River Trail is a fantastic paved multi-use path that follows the Humber River, offering a scenic route for walking, running, and cycling. It stretches over 20 kilometres through parks, ravines, and historic sites, including the Toronto Carrying-Place Trail, a former Indigenous trade route that once followed the same path. The Humber River itself is designated a Canadian Heritage River, and this trail is an excellent way to explore its ecological and cultural significance on foot or by bike.

This historic rail bridge spans the Humber River with high steel arches and a classic railway design. It adds a striking feature to the landscape and is a great photo stop along the river trails. From the viewpoint below, you can see trains crossing above while the river flows quietly underneath, creating a nice contrast between nature and engineering. The viewpoint has wooden benches from where you can stop for a moment and observe.

The East Humber River flows through farms and parks in northern Toronto before joining the main branch of the Humber River in Woodbridge. There's a good trails system along its banks that allow hikers to visit various parks and nature preserves with ease.

The William Granger Greenway is a scenic trail running between Bindertwine Park and Boyd Conservation Area. Along the way it passes through a mix of natural landscapes and parks. A short side trail leads into Kleinburg, where you can visit the McMichael Canadian Art Collection or explore the village’s historic main street and shops. Parking is available at Bindertwine Park, Boyd Conservation Area, and the Rutherford Road trailhead. You can also use the trail to reach nearby facilities such as the Kleinburg Library, Al Palladini Community Centre, Pierre Berton Library, and the Kortright Centre.

This is just a short bridge over the East Humber River, but it gives you a nice view across the water.