The best cycling routes in Ontario

The Prince Edward Viaduct, also known as the Bloor Street Viaduct, is a historic truss arch bridge that spans the Don River. The bridge was built between 1915 and 1919. It is part of a project that includes another bridge, the Rosedale Valley Viaduct, which crosses the valley further to the west. https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=ontario/bloorstreetprinceedwardviaduct/

“Monsters for Beauty, Permanence and Individuality” is an art installation by Omaskêko Cree artist Duane Linklater. Fourteen sculptures, made in 2017 from cast concrete, lie scattered on a meadow along the Lower Don River Trail. https://catrionajeffries.com/artists/duane-linklater/works/duane-linklater-monsters-for-beauty-permanence-and-individuality-2017

The area with more than 40 buildings was built between 1859 and 1900; the Gooderham and Worts Distillery was once the largest distillery in North America. Gooderham and Worts operated until the 20th century, before being taken over by Hiram Walker in 1927. The last alcohol was distilled in the original distillery in 1990. In 1988, the Gooderham and Worts Distillery was declared a National Historic Site of Canada in recognition of the industrial architecture of the Victorian era in North America. Sources: https://www.heritagetoronto.org/explore/heritage-toronto-awards-architecture/distillery-district-toronto-architecture/ https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/distillery-historic-district-gooderham-worts-national-historic-site https://parks.canada.ca/culture/designation/lieu-site/gooderham

The Don River Valley was formed thousands of years ago during the Ice Age. Human settlement can be traced back more than 7,000 years. In the 19th century, the valley became a corridor for industry and transport for the city of York, now Toronto, and was home to lumber, flour, and paper mills, as well as tanneries, slaughterhouses, and breweries. The lower part of the Don River used to meander through wetlands to its mouth in Lake Ontario. In the 1880s, this part of the river was straightened to promote industrial development in the region. The remaining wetlands were destroyed by municipal landfills between 1912 and 1925. The Don Valley Parkway was opened in 1961 and changed the valley forever. Hills in the valley were reshaped and nature was destroyed by the creation of the highway. After decades of severe neglect of the Don River, environmental groups like Pollution Probe became active and staged a mock funeral for the "dead" river. Today, the river's watershed is one of the most developed in the country. The ongoing revitalization of the Don River Valley focuses on the flood protection project in the Port Lands, Toronto's harbor area, and the renaturation of the mouth of the Don River into Lake Ontario. Visit on September 24, 2026 Sources: https://donrivervalleypark.ca/about-the-park/history/ https://ourlivingwaters.ca/collaboration_upholds_don_river_revitalization/

The route features a paved asphalt surface and a series of picturesque wooden footbridges, making it ideal for walking, trail running, and road cycling. Surrounded by dense tree canopies, wetlands, and wildflower meadows, the trail provides prime habitat for local wildlife, including foxes, deer, and diverse bird species.

Adamson Estate is a peaceful heritage property right on the Lake Ontario shoreline, with mature trees, gardens and several historic buildings spread across the grounds. The main house dates from 1920, while the barn is even older, dating to around 1870. It’s a nice change of pace from the open waterfront, with quieter paths to wander before rejoining the Waterfront Trail.

Standing 30 feet tall with a 15-foot arm span, the Toronto Inukshuk was built from about 50 tonnes of mountain rose granite by Inuit artist Kellypalik Qimirpik of Cape Dorset, Nunavut. Created in 2002 as a legacy project commemorating World Youth Day and the visit of Pope John Paul II, it’s one of the largest structures of its kind in North America. Sitting just west of Coronation Park in what’s now known as Toronto Inukshuk Park, it looks out across Lake Ontario and the harbour. There is a granite slab beside it that includes part of then-mayor Mel Lastman’s unveiling speech, describing the Inukshuk as an invitation to “become beacons of light and hope, striving for justice and peace in this world.”

Dominion Arboretum is open from dawn to dusk and free to enter. This pathway leads past Dow's Lake and onward to Rideau Canal.