Nothing screams spring quite like a nice bike ride, and with the warmer weather upon us, it’s time to grab the wheels out of storage and onto the many gorgeous trails in and around the Six! And while you dust off that bike, we’ve curated this list of six amazing trail rides to check out in Toronto.
But before you go pedalling into spring, make sure your bike is in proper riding condition- check the tires, change the old cables and give it a tune-up. Riding is no fun if you’re 7 km away from home and stranded somewhere with a broken bike.
Just in case this unfortunate situation does occur, there is a very easy fix for it… CALL CAA. Yes, CAA! Not many people know this, but your CAA coverage also offers roadside bike assistance, even if it is something as simple as a loose chain. And if it is something that cannot be fixed on the spot, CAA will drop you and your bike wherever you can get help with the repair.
Anyway, let’s dive into the list, shall we?
Moccasin Trail Park
In case you’re wondering- yes, this is the trail with the iconic rainbow tunnel. And while passing the tunnel is definitely exciting for newbies on the trail, it actually offers views that are a lot more exciting. Running through a thick ravine forest, the trail offers great views of the forest, open greens, the Moccasin Pond and the Don River. And it’s moderately challenging so it is easy to navigate by bikers of all skill levels.
Martin Goodman Waterfront Trail
At 32.6 km and running the entire length of TO’s waterfront, this sure is one giant trail. And as can be expected of a trail this long, there are multiple entry points. So, your ride can be only as long as you want it to be. Although, once you’re on it, you’ll hardly want to get off.
William G. Davis Trail (Trillium Park)
The Trillium Park near Ontario Place is one of our fave green spaces to be in all year long. Of course, the trail passing this iconic Toronto Destination would make it to our list. Enter: William G. Davis! It might be a relatively short trail (1.3 km), but it certainly has no dearth of spectacular views of the downtown skyline and the beautiful blue water. The trail eventually connects to the Martin Goodman Waterfront Trail.
Humber River Recreation Trail
The Humber River bike path is among the most popular trails in town. The primary reason, of course, is that you ride alongside the river (so, insane views for sure). The other reasons include the scenic landscapes, waterfalls and fountains to enjoy along the ride. It’s an easy and beautiful trail. But be warned, it is also heavily trafficked.
West Toronto Railpath
If you need a more urban vibe, city views, a little bit of greenery and tons of art and graffiti, the West Toronto Railpath trail will take care of it. This rail-turned-trail is built over an abandoned rail line and runs from The Junction neighbourhood all the way to DT Toronto. At 2.1 km, the trail makes for an easy-breezy ride.
Toronto Islands
Is any biking adventure, and for that matter even our spring, ever complete without riding the boardwalks at Toronto Islands? This much-loved destination is perfect for a nice weekend ride taking in the picturesque Toronto skyline and the serene waterscape. You can either grab your bike and board one of the bike-friendly ferries or rent one on the island.
These were our top city trails to ride this spring. Be sure to hit as many of them as you can and we might just bump into each other.
Oh, and because we’re talking bikes and biking, CAA also collaborated with Bike Share TO to give us Free Ride Wednesdays. Every Wednesday of May, you can get free, unlimited 30-minute rides from Bike Share. And, you don’t even have to be a CAA member. Not to mention 24/7 convenient access to 6,850 bikes and 625 stations across 200 km of the city! How cool is that?
