by José Gonzalez
The forests of Southern Ontario explode in a riot of beautiful colours as they change for the fall season. Lucky for us, Toronto has lots of green space for a city this size, and there’s many parks, trails and other nature spots for you to enjoy the fall colours to their fullest! Here’s the best spots to view the fall foliage in Toronto. [Photo credit: iStock]
High Park
Perhaps Toronto's most famous park, it also includes some of the most expansive natural space near the downtown core. You can spend an entire day walking through the park, enjoying the many different trees and wildlife that live there. And keep your eyes open, because if you're too busy looking up at the leaves you might miss a chipmunk running by, or one of the park's elusive deer.
Evergreen Brick Works
The Brick Works is no longer the site of industry and instead is a preservation spot for nature. The lush forest that surrounds this location is perfect for hikes and picnics, and the Brick Works itself offers fun activities throughout the fall to make the most of your leaf-watching experience.
Toronto Island
Safely removed from the influence of the city, the island's landscape is filled with trees celebrating the beginning of fall. A walk from Hanlan's Point to Ward Island will give you a full tour and will take you about an hour, but you might want to take some time to make a few detours and get the most out of the local foliage.
Kortright Centre for Conservation
This is a great place to see the leaves while learning about what makes them so special. The Kortright Centre offers hikes, both guided and unguided, that offer an education on the forests of Southern Ontario. It also hosts fun activities for the whole family with a distinct fall theme.
Scarborough Bluffs
One of the most picturesque spots in the city is even more lovely with an infusion of fall colours. Although it's a bit of a trip to get there, even if you already live in Scarborough, it's certainly worth the effort as there aren't many places in the city quite as beautiful as the bluffs. Be wary though, during especially rainy parts of the year there is a risk of landslides, so check ahead to make sure it's safe. Please be sure to stay behind any protective barriers and follow any signage that may be on site.
Humber Valley
This west-end spot offers a beautiful hike along the Humber River, one of the major rivers that runs through the city. Not nearly as developed as the more central Don Valley (which certainly has a charm of its own), this valley is lined with parks and trails that give you an uninterrupted experience with the fall leaves.
Todmorden Mills
This historic site is a unique backdrop for your fall leave watching experience. Its foliage is complimented by the 19th Century brewery, paper mill and millers homes, and lets you imagine you're watching the leaves change 200 years ago.
Rouge Park
This national park is the closest one to Toronto, and while it's still a bit of a trip from the downtown core, it's worth the effort to see the largest marshlands in the area, the city's only campgrounds and some of the most memorable hikes you can experience. The fall colours are almost a bonus with some of that mind, but they'll be the main attraction once you see them there up close.
Kay Gardner Beltline Park
A bit of a hidden gem, and perhaps the best option for anyone who can't get out of the city to see the leaves, this trail takes you through the heart of Midtown Toronto. Although not quite as secluded or removed from the city as some of the other options mentioned on this list, it's still a lovely way to see the leaves, and one that's relatively lesser known, so you won't have to worry about large crowds.
