Rouge Waterfront – Park Trail

Length – 9 km (one way)

80% park path
20% road crossings, detours

Elevation – flat along waters edge, a few short hills over bluffs, bridges

Terrain – paved, some gravel and sand, bridges

Skill – all levels

Maps – map boards, trail markers

Facilities – parking, toilets at Rouge River, snack bar, benches, picnic tables, rain shelter

Highlights – Lake Ontario, bridges, river marshland, shoreline views, trains

Trail Fee – free

Phone – none

Website – Great Lakes Waterfront Trail

Similar Trails –   Ajax Waterfront, Hamilton Beach, Cornwall

Local Clubs – TBN,  Toronto Bicycle Club

Access – Plenty of parking at East Point Park end of Beechgrove Dr.,  mouth of Rouge River, Petticoat Creek C.A. and other side streets have parking too.

Also very convenient if you take the GO train to Rouge Hill Station.

Note: Beachpoint Promenade on the east end of this path may still be under construction till the end of 2018

One of the best sections of the Waterfront Trail, this route traverses the east side of Toronto, from the far end of Scarborough and into Pickering.

This 9 km scenic, paved Park trail has serene views of Lake Ontario and crosses over both Highland Creek and the Rouge River.

The landscape is ever-changing, and although the elevation is mainly flat at the lake, it does rise over the bluffs and while crossing bridges. Well-marked, it is for good reason a popular and busy route.

Starting from the west end at East Point Park the path descends a long, steep hill to meet up with three bridges at Highland Creek. (Also a great trail ride for another day.)

One bridge is for the train tracks that separate the trail from the neighbourhood exits at Port Union and the Rouge Hill GO station. Note that there are signs asking riders to walk the bridges, which I found odd as they were as wide as the paths themselves.

Passing by many stone breakwaters and beach inlets, riders eventually come to the mouth of the Rouge River. There is a buzz of activity here on weekends, with kayakers, fishermen, and families out for a BBQ.

Take the white pedestrian bridge up and over the river, which leads to Rodd Ave. This is one of a few short road detours along the route.

After a quick run across the parkland in Petticoat Creek Conservation Area, you will again need to detour. Take Marksbury Rd. to…

Read more of this review in my trail guidebook, plus 64 others. Featuring better maps, more parking locations and elevation graphs. Available as an eBook or paperback.