Top 5 waterfront walks in Toronto

Beach trail walks in Toronto are a great way to enjoy a sunset, sunrise or a full moon evening.

Toronto is blessed as a lakeside city and has plenty of options to catch a waterfront breeze on a hot day.

From the Scarborough bluffs in the east to views of the city skyline in the west, there are many of great choices for some exercise.

Here are five of the top waterfront walks in Toronto:

Tommy Thompson Park

This trail gets high reviews on AllTrails. Cyclists and walkers share a paved path through the park, offering views of the city skyline. There are also Lake Ontario views off the main trail on dirt paths.

Trails wind past ponds where birdwatchers gather to see waterfowl. Wildlife is prolific in this park with trumpeter swans, deer, foxes, rabbits and other animals often spotted along the path.

A fox at Tommy Thompson Park. Photo: Karen Longwell

The main trail is about five kilometres one-way, ending at the old Toronto Harbour Lighthouse.

Free parking is available at the end of Leslie Street.

Scarborough Bluffs

The iconic Scarborough Bluffs feel far from the busy downtown core. The bluffs stretch for about 15 kilometres along the Lake Ontario shore, from the Eastern Beaches of Toronto in the west, to East Point Park in the east, according to the City of Toronto.

This significant geological feature was formed by the natural processes of wind and water erosion from Lake Ontario—an accumulation of sedimentary deposits from over 12,000 years ago.

The Scarborough Bluffs. Photo: Óðinn

Walkers have a few choices, including a 12.5 one-way hike from Bluffer’s Park at 1 Brimley Rd. S. along the lake to Guild Park and Gardens at 3020 Guildwood Parkway. The waterfront path can also be accessed from the Doris McCarthy Trail at 9 Ravine Dr.

Toronto Islands trails

Another good spot to see the skyline and get away from the busy city is the Toronto Islands. There are several beaches, a large pier with views of Lake Ontario and the historic Gibraltar Point Lighthouse. Begun in 1808, the site is the oldest existing lighthouse on the great lakes. It is also the site of an unsolved murder—the first lighthouse keeper, John P. Rademuller, died on Jan. 2, 1815.

The Gibraltar Point Lighthouse. Photo: Karen Longwell

Walkers can catch the city skyline view at the Ward’s Island Ferry drop-off, then take the approximately 3.5-kilometre walk on island paths to the lighthouse. There are also nice walks on the other islands.

You will need to catch a city ferry from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at 9 Queen’s Quay or a private water taxi. The ferry schedule can be found here.

Humber Bay Park and the Martin Goodman Trail

The Martin Goodman Trail runs approximately 56 kilometres from the Humber Bridge in the west to the Rouge River in the east. It is named in memory of the former president and editor-in-chief of the Toronto Star, who died in 1981.

Sunset at Humber Bay. Photo: Karen Longwell

There are wonderful lake views along the trail and the skyline is in full view from the Humber Bay Arch Bridge. From the bridge, it is a short walk along the shore, through a butterfly habitat, into Humber Bay Park. The park has many lookout spots and the solemn Air India 182 Memorial.

The Humber Bay Arch Bridge. Photo: Karen Longwell

Walkers and cyclists can access the from Martin Goodman Trail several points across the city. In the west, walk over the bridge at the end of Roncesvalles Avenue to find the path.

Colonel Samuel Smith Park

This park is in Etobicoke and draws birdwatchers, cyclists and walkers through winding trails along the waterfront. Whimbrel Point features a large pole with dozens of colourful signs pointing to global destinations.

Whimbrel Point signs. Photo: Karen Longwell

Colonel Samuel Smith was a British Army officer and politician who once lived in a huge swath of this lakefront land in the early 1800s. The Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital, which operated from 1888 to 1979, was just north of the park and south of Lake Shore Boulevard. The buildings are now part of the Humber Polytechnic (formerly Humber College) Lakeshore campus.

Those looking for a longer walk can continue west along Lake Promenade to Long Branch Park and even farther to Port Credit in Mississauga.

In 2025, there were some trail closures in the park due to the ongoing major maintenance repairs.

From Kipling TTC station, take bus 44 south to the park.

Lead photo of Colonel Samuel Smith Park: Karen Longwell