Hello, nature lovers! Toronto’s summer is in full swing and after months of being cooped up in the city it’s high time to get outdoors. After all, Ontario is chock-full of beautiful hikes, so now is as good a time as any to take advantage of them. But, you’ll have to do that safely. That’s precisely why we’ve teamed up with Mark’s to put together this little list of some challenging hikes near Toronto with gorgeous views.
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So, when you’re venturing out to these gorgeous hikes near Toronto, set yourself up with some WindRiver gear. Let Mark’s take care of your worries about ticks and mosquitoes, so you can take care of that mountain in front of you.
NIAGARA GLEN TRAIL
Alright, let’s kick it off with an adventure near the Falls! This scenic little trail is full of gorgeous water views, and at just over 2 kilometres long, it’s not going to burn too much of your day up. Plus, there are spots to try a bit of bouldering if you’re feeling fearless!
Where: 15 Niagara Parkway
Distance: 2.3 km
Difficulty: Moderate
SINGHAMPTON CAVES TRAIL
Fair warning, leave the claustrophobic buddy at home for this one. We are well aware that caves aren’t for everyone, but we say give them a shot because they’re freakin’ cool! After all, if you want to work for views, it doesn’t get much more unique than this. This trail is super scenic, so go in the summer for wildflower season.
Where: 794685 Osprey Clearview Townline
Distance: 2.3 km
Difficulty: Moderate
DUNDAS PEAK
If you’ve gone hiking in Ontario before, you’ve definitely at least heard of Dundas Peak. This spot is flat-out gorgeous, but its beauty can attract crowds of hikers. The forest scenery is A+ and we love the view of Hamilton. We recommend going at the end of summer, or in autumn when the trees are especially stunning. Chase away! FYI, this is not a particularly safe lookout, so take all precautions necessary when heading out.
Where: 607 Harvest Rd
Distance: 2.9 km
Difficulty: Moderate
NASSAGAWEYA & BRUCE TRAIL LOOP FROM RATTLESNAKE POINT
Patience is a virtue we don’t usually have. Although it’s worth it for this one. If you can stand waiting, taking a hike through here in summer when the greenery is 10/10 doing its thing is ideal.
Where: 7200 Appleby Line
Distance: 7.2 km
Difficulty: Moderate
HILTON FALLS TRAIL
Okay, so this one isn’t too much of a challenge, but the payoff is too good to not include it. There are three different trails you can take to enjoy this gorgeous spot. Stop for a bonfire along the way, admire the falls, and eat more marshmallows than anyone should on a “hike”.
Where: Off Campbellville Rd in Milton
Distance: 4.7km
Difficulty: Easy
LION’S HEAD LOOP
Talk about views!! This is quite the loop in terms of distance, but it’s also a few hours to get out there so consider making this a day trip. Dunking your head in the bay at the end is the second best part after the gorgeous scenery. We’d say it’s on the spicier side of moderate because of the length, but take one look at that water and you’ll know this is one of the best hikes in Ontario.
Where: Start at Bruce Trail on Moore St, Lion’s Head
Distance: 15.3 km
Difficulty: Moderate
There you have it, folks! Don’t forget to check trail conditions before you head out, and always make sure someone back home knows where you’ll be going. Happy hiking!
