Cycling in Toronto along Lake Ontario and the Don Valley

The nicest thing about Toronto is Lake Ontario. But if you’re not from Toronto, you probably don’t know that the core of the city is also bordered by two rivers: Humber River in the West and Don River in the East. And frankly, the best way to experience them is by bike. There are enough bicycle paths along them to keep the most serious riders going for some time. And also plenty of Bike Share stations where you can rent and park a bicycle.

Harbourfront is a good starting point

If you are leaving from downtown, a good place to start your ride is in Harbourfront. There are several places to rent a bicycle along Queen’s Quay West, between Bathurst Street and York Street.

The Music Garden at the end of Lower Spadina Street next to Lake Ontario is a favourite spot of mine. Its design was inspired by music and it is the nicest garden in the city. It is worth a visit, whether you are into gardening or not.

I have always preferred the paths in the eastern part of the city when it comes to cycling: there are several nice places to stop and rest and the best views of downtown are from the East.

On your way to Cherry Beach

Riding your bike eastbound along Queen’s Quay, you will come across a marina and two sand beaches. The bike path will veer South and take you along Cherry Street in the port of Toronto area. It is not the prettiest sight but don’t let that deter you; keep riding along Cherry Street. If you want a great place to take a picture of downtown, turn right on Polson Street and go to the edge of Lake Ontario.

Get back on Cherry Street and within 2 minutes you’ll reach Cherry Beach. This is a nice place to rest, especially in the summer when there is always a food truck during the day parked near the beach. Keep going along that trail; you will be going across a small wooded area until you reach a bridge that crosses a small channel. Turn right on that road; it will take you to Tommy Thompson Park, a naturalized area visited annually by many species of birds. There is also a nice view of the downtown from that Park.

Woodbine Beach is the nicest

If you wish to continue going East and visit the beautiful Woodbine Beach, turn left at the road and go North towards Leslie Street. This will take you to Lakeshore Boulevard. Go right and ride your bike along that road. Soon the bike path will turn right and you’ll be in Woodbine Beach. There is a restaurant on your left and, in the summer, a food truck next to the beach. This bike path goes on for a bit along the popular boardwalk and stops a little past the Balmy Beach Club.

Exploring the Don River Valley

If you wish to explore the Don River Valley, you can go back to the bicycle path along Lakeshore boulevard from Woodbine Beach; please note that at some point you will have to cross to the bike path along the North side of Lakeshore Boulevard. This will take you to the Lower Don River path where there is a split.

Or if you want to go straight to the Don River bicycle path from Harbourfront, you have to cross the Lakeshore Boulevard and go North when you reach Cherry Street. The path goes under the Gardiner Expressway and through a wooded area, crosses rail tracks and reach an intersection; you turn left and you’ll be riding next to the Don River.

More to come about that soon. Enjoy your ride!

Postcards Ontario