The West Don tributary has some of the most popular scenic bicycle paths in Toronto. None of them are very long, so I grouped a cluster of five together to offer you about 15 km to enjoy. I call them the Sunnybrook Park Trails.
At its southern hub by the DVP, the trail is an important thoroughfare connecting with the Lower Don River and Taylor Creek bike paths (and soon the E Don).
From there, heading north over the river and rail tracks, this trail starts with a steep hill, bridge and ramp to overcome. Sounds impassable, yet everyone does it.
Once over, you are in E T Seton Park on a wide paved roadway (bike route 45). Cars also share the route, briefly, to find parking.
From this deep valley you will see the tall Overlea Bridge; as you ride under it, the vista opens up and you enter the parkland behind the Ontario Science Centre. Here you can picnic, play disc golf, or find some easy MTB dirt trails in the woods to scoot around on.
Riding further, the path splits briefly (you can take either route) over the water and under another sizable iron railway bridge. You have now reached Eglinton Ave E The path underneath takes you to Serena Gundy Park. I find this twisty, paved path gets a little narrow in places, an issue on busy weekends.
Soon you will see where Wilket Creek meets the Don River. At the washrooms, take bike route 26, a 2 km side trail to Edwards Gardens. This secluded ravine ride, a favourite of mine, takes you to the botanical gardens, a great spot for a lunch break, a walkabout and some flower photos. It’s a must-do. And for the curious, streets west of here have Toronto’s largest mansions.
At this point, a tiny new stretch of rail trail east of …
Read the rest of this review and 59 others in my NEW book, Volume 2 of Best Bicycle Park & Rail Trails in Ontario.
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*Black Post Hazard – A few years ago, waist-high metal posts were installed along the pathways to stop cars from entering the bike trail. They are painted black with no reflectors or bright colours to make them noticeable, so they could be dangerous at night. Even worse, there are a few at the bottom of a fast hill, just ready to send a poor-sighted/daydreaming cyclist flying.
As of summer 2023 these are still a hazard. Someone stuck on orange reflective bits from traffic cone. When will the city get on it?
At the Charles Sauriol Park parking lot – https://goo.gl/maps/jpzfrYQnaBYiVgmQ9
Please watch out for them…I sent the city a message about this; perhaps you should too: cycling@toronto.ca and parks@toronto.ca
