Nature and Heritage Hikes
Sundays
10am
Join us on an exploration of Toronto’s largest watershed! Discover the ecology and history of the Don River on a series of scenic hikes through the ravines connected to EBW––and enjoy a little exercise to boot!
Cost: Free
Registration: Email Ashley Wallis at awallis@evergreen.ca to register by 3pm on the Friday before the hike, or just show up at the designated meeting spot on the day of the hike! (Please note that hikes will leave promptly, so plan to arrive 10–15min before the hike begins.)
Meeting Place: Hikes begin and end in different locations. Some independent transportation to starting/from finishing point is required.
What to Bring: Appropriate shoes with good traction for walking on rough woodland paths and some muddy terrain; a full re-usable water bottle; sun protection; a light litterless snack and dress for the weather.
Please Note:
- Hike routes vary in length and difficulty and take place rain or shine (except thunderstorms and lightning). Please be sure to call 416-596-7670 if you are unsure of the weather.
- We welcome hikers of all fitness levels and mobility and children (on foot or in carriers) accompanied by a caregiver. However, some hikes include stairs and slopes, as well as woodland paths which may be rough or muddy, and not suitable for wheelchairs or assistive devices or strollers. Contact Aasiya Hussain at ahussain@evergreen.ca to find out which trail is best for you.
- Participants are asked to sign-in with a waiver form prior to the hike. Those under 18 years of age require parental/guardian signed consent. Forms are available via awallis@evergreen.ca, at the Young Welcome Centre desk or at the hike.
- Dogs on leashes are also invited to participate.
Schedule
| April 21 | Moore Park and North Rosedale |
| April 28 | Following the Yellow Creek Ravine |
| May 5 | Paddle the Don Edition |
| May 12 | Hills and Dales Family Hike |
| May 26 | Past the Forks of the Don |
| June 2 | North on the Lower Don Trail |
| June 9 | Belt Line Trail: Toronto's Lost Rivers |
| June 16 | Ontario Science Centre/Toronto Botanical Gardens |
| June 23 | Take the DVP (Don Valley Pathway) |
Hike Details
April 21: Moore Park and North Rosedale
A hike through EBW, Moore Park Ravine, and Rosedale
Start: Evergreen Brick Works
Finish: Evergreen Brick Works
Length: Approximately 2 hours
Distance: Approximately 4.5 km
Difficulty: Some stairs and slopes, woodland path which may be rough or muddy.
Description of Walk: Walk proceeds up Mud Creek section of the Beltline Trail to Moore Ave, then circles back through historic North Rosedale to Chorley Park and then back to Evergreen Brick Works.
Map:http://goo.gl/maps/1Z9Zm
April 28: Following the Yellow Creek Ravine
A hike from Deer Park to EBW via David Balfour Park
Start: Meet outside the Deer Park Branch of the Toronto Public Library at 40 St. Clair Ave East (north side of St. Clair, east of Yonge Street).
Finish: Evergreen Brick Works
Length: Approximately 2 hours
Distance: Approximately 3.75 km
Difficulty: Some stairs and slopes, woodland path which may be rough or muddy.
Description of Walk: Walk starts at St. Clair and Yonge and passes over the Lake Iroquois shorecliff and down David Balfour and Park Drive Reservation trails to EBW.
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/hg31q
May 5: Paddle the Don Edition
A hike along the South on the Lower Don Trail from EBW to East-Riverdale Park.
Start: Evergreen Brick Works
Finish: 170 Villiers St at the parkette at the northwest corner of Villiers St and Don Roadway, where the Don River meets the Keating Channel in the Toronto Port Lands.
Length: Approximately 3 hours
Distance: Approximately 5 km
Difficulty: Some stairs and slopes, woodland path which may be rough or muddy.
Description of Walk: This walk occurs on the same day as the TRCA’s Paddle the Don, and hikers will get to cheer the paddlers on down the river! Walk proceeds down the Lower Don Trail from Pottery Road, past Todmorden Mills, Helliwell’s Hill wetland, Chester Springs March, Riverdale Park and the new Bridgepoint Health building, and ends at 170 Villiers Street where hikers will have a chance to join the Manulife Paddle the Don Take-out Party, where lunch and refreshments will be available for purchase.
Map: Coming soon.
May 12: Hills and Dales Family Hike
Regent Park to EBW via Cabbagetown via Wellesley Park and Castle Frank Rd
Start: Meet outside the Parliament Street Branch of the Toronto Public Library at 269 Gerrard St East (located on the southwest corner of Parliament St and Gerrard St East).
Finish: Evergreen Brick Works
Length: Approximately 2.5 hours
Distance: Approximately 5 km
Difficulty: City streets, some stairs and slopes, woodland path which may be rough or muddy. Hike descends a very steep hill.
Description of Walk: Starting at Anniversary Parkette, walk goes through the historic Don Vale community and crosses Rosedale Valley Road to Castle Frank, Craigleigh Gardens and Milkman’s Lane to Evergreen Brick Works.
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/HoR84
May 26: Past the Forks of the Don
Taylor Creek Park to EBW
Start: Victoria Park station (East side of Victoria Park Ave. underneath the rail tracks)
Finish: Evergreen Brick Works
Length: Approximately 3.5 hours
Distance: Approximately 8.5 km
Difficulty: Some stairs and slopes, woodland path which may be rough or muddy
Description of Walk: Starting from Victoria Park station, the walk follows Taylor-Massey Creek through historic Dentonia Park (Massey family estate) to Forks of the Don and EBW via Pottery Rd.
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/RhI5q
June 2: North on the Lower Don Trail
A Walk from Chinatown East-Riverdale Park to EBW and the Weston Family Quarry Garden via the Lower Don Trail
Start: Meet outside the Riverdale Branch of the Toronto Public Library at 370 Broadview Avenue on the northwest corner of Broadview Ave and Gerrard St East.
Finish: Evergreen Brick Works
Length: Approximately 3.5 hours
Distance: Approximately 6 km
Difficulty: Some stairs and slopes, woodland path which may be rough or muddy.
Description of Walk: Walk proceeds up the Lower Don Trail from Riverdale Park and the new Bridgepoint Health building, Chester Springs March, Helliwell’s Hill wetland, past Todmorden Mills, by Evergreen Brick Works and Weston Family Quarry Garden.
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/Aj5Yc
June 9: Belt Line Trail: Toronto's Lost Rivers
A hike along Toronto's Lost Rivers
Start: In front of Eglinton West Subway Station
Finish: Evergreen Brick Works
Length: Approximately 3.5 hours
Distance: Approximately 8 km
Difficulty: This is a long hike with only a few short stops. Some stairs and slopes, woodland path which may be rough or muddy.
Description of Walk: From Eglinton West station, walk follows the Kay Gardiner portion of the Belt Line Trail through Forest Hill, through Mt. Pleasant Cemetery and down Moore Park ravine trail.
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/aVKp1
June 16: Ontario Science Centre/Toronto Botanical Gardens
EBW to Toronto Botanical Gardens, via Ontario Science Centre
Start: Evergreen Brick Works
Finish: Toronto Botanical Gardens (Lawrence Ave E and Leslie St)
Length: Approximately 4 hours
Distance: Approximately 10 km
Difficulty: This is a long hike with only a few short stops. Some stairs and slopes, woodland path which may be rough or muddy.
Description of Walk: Walk follows the Lower Don trail from Pottery Road to the Elevated Wetland, then proceeds up the ET Seton, Serena Gundy and Wilket Creek ravine trails to the Science Centre and Botanical Garden (Leslie and Lawrence). From there you can take the TTC Route 51 or 54 bus to Eglinton Station.
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/IbTHp
June 23: Take the DVP (Don Valley Pathway)
A hike from Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park to EBW via the Lower Don Trail
Start: Southwest corner of Overlea Blvd and Don Mills Rd (@ front doors of Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute)
Finish: Evergreen Brick Works
Length: Approximately 2.5 hours
Distance: Approximately 5.5 km
Difficulty: Some stairs and slopes, woodland path which may be rough or muddy.
Description of Walk: Walk enters the valley at Charles Sauriol Conservation Reserve and passes the forks of the Don and Beechwood area to EBW via Pottery Rd.
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/rT24u
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