The best traffic-free bike rides in Rouge National Park

It is worth walking the Waterfront Trail from Rouge Hill GO Station to the east – the construction site only begins after more than a kilometer and the path is closed. The path runs partly below the Bluffs near the shore of Lake Ontario with blooming vegetation along the trail. Visit on September 28, 2026 https://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/our-projects/port-union-waterfront-park

Colonel Danforth Park is located on both sides of Kingston Road in the Highland Creek ravine. To the south, it reaches Lawrence Avenue East and to the west, it extends beyond Old Kingston Road. Highland Creek Drive offers the opportunity to drive into the Highland Creek ravine – turn off at Kingston Road. There are parking spaces and picnic areas. The pedestrian and bicycle path crosses the road (only) at one point, at the bridge over the creek. Visit on September 28, 2026 https://www.torontoparksatlas.ca/parks/colonel-danforth-park-toronto-4306474

The Highland Creek ravine is a green oasis; it is managed by the City of Toronto. Although the valley is not designated as a nature reserve, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority as part of flood management and erosion control. Visited on September 28, 2026 https://trca.ca/conservation/watershed-management/highland-creek/

Port Union Waterfront Park stretches between the mouths of Highland Creek and West Rouge River / Adam’s Creek into Lake Ontario for a length of approx. 2.5 kilometers. Construction work is taking place on the lakeshore until an expected end date of December 2026; however, the Waterfront Trail remains accessible. Visit on September 28, 2026 https://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/our-projects/port-union-waterfront-park

In the years 2018-2023, the area south of Frenchman's Bay on the shore of Lake Ontario was converted into an environmentally sensitive area, after it had been damaged by uncontrolled use in the preceding years. The owner, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, and the operator, the City of Pickering, wanted to create a balance between recreational use and the environment. https://www.pickering.ca/parks-recreation-culture/waterfront/rotary-frenchmans-bay-west-park/ https://www.mbtw.com/design-portfolio/rotary-frenchmans-bay-west-park-pickering-ontario (Visit on June 15, 2026)

Highland Creek is a beautiful waterway that winds through deep ravines, wooded valleys, and parkland in east Toronto before emptying into Lake Ontario. Trails and pathways follow sections of the creek through mature forest, meadows, and quiet green spaces, with several bridge crossings, and plenty of places to pause along the water. The creek supports a surprising amount of wildlife, including birds, deer, and salmon that return upstream during the fall run, and is a peaceful place to spend time along its banks, enjoying nature without leaving the city.

Colonel Danforth Park sits in the wooded valley of Highland Creek in east Toronto, with trails that wind through a quiet ravine of mature trees and beautiful creekside scenery. The park connects to Toronto’s larger trail network, with paved and natural paths popular for walking, cycling, and spotting wildlife, including deer, salmon during the fall run, and a variety of birds along the creek. Tucked into the peaceful green corridor, it feels removed from the surrounding city, with shaded paths and a peaceful setting that makes it easy to slow down and explore.

Stretching along Toronto’s eastern waterfront, Port Union Waterfront Park combines shoreline trails, wetlands, and sweeping views across Lake Ontario. As part of the larger Waterfront Trail network, the park includes paved paths, lookouts, bridges, and restored natural habitat where Highland Creek meets Lake Ontario. While you’re here, there are plenty of opportunities to spot birds and enjoy the beautiful views across the water, and it is a popular spot for walking, cycling, and watching the sunset.