A Stunning Late Fall Walk Through High Park, With A Small Detour Through The Ravine

Normal Route 4 KM

More Accessible Asphalt Route 3 KM 

(Always check conditions, Torontotreks is not liable for any changes to the route or injuries)

High Park is not only one of the most famous and beautiful parks in Toronto, renowned for being a natural oasis in the middle of the city; it is also one of the most accessible ones, not just being centrally located along Bloor Street, but also featuring two stations (High Park and Keele) along the TTC’s Subway Line 2, and even having its own streetcar station on Route 506!

Although most famous for the blossoming of it’s Sakura cherry trees between the end of April and the middle of May, attracting huge numbers of crowds each year, this park makes for an incredible escape from the city year-round, with a good variety of activities for all ages, through different scenery and with varying level of trail difficulty. High Park also features the Grenadier cafe, a fantastic place to warm-up with a coffee or to enjoy its all day breakfast menu.

For this particular hike, which starts out at the park’s north gate on High Park Ave, there is the normal route and a more accessible alternative, which is outlined on a second route map, which more closely follows the main asphalt loop and can also be completed on a bicycle or with a walker or stroller. The park is car free entirely on weekends which may limit accessibility to those arriving by car.

Crossing the street from High Park Ave, the contrast of going from a busy city street into a calm green oasis accompanied by the last sunlight of the day, greets you. Even on this already colder Thursday afternoon, it was still possible to see plenty of people enjoying the end of fall by running, cycling or walking. 

Going to the right aftering entering the park, there is the option of either renting a bicycle with Toronto Bicycle Share, a good idea if going down the alternative more accessible route, or taking  a break on one of the many benches found here. This area not only features plenty of shade, but also has public washrooms just steps away. Incredibly for November this year, it is still possible to see leaves falling off the oak and maple trees here.

Apologies for the poor quality of this photo

Walking further along, it’s easy to miss the entrance to the small forested trail. This is where the normal and accessible route split, if going on the accessible route, keep going straight ahead here following the asphalt route until the Grenadier Cafe. From here the trail goes down into the eastern ravine, and uniquely, this part of the park is kept as a forest with a variety of trees and small wildlife to be observed.

Going further down the path and turning left, is like being somewhere, the eastern ravine of the park largely borders the Grenadier Pond and is a well covered forested area where if you look carefully, it is possible to see squirrels running across the trail and where it is possible to see anything from red oak,  black cherry to slippery elm trees among many other types with sunlight occasionally streaming in between the trees. 

Taking a right, then left and walking alongside the Grenadier Pond, it is possible to enjoy a relaxing stroll next to the water or take a break to observe one of the many mallards or wood ducks on the water. 

At various points, it is also possible to enter and sit on the shore of the pond, which makes for an excellent picnic break or even photo opportunity, or even a chance to just enjoy the peace and quiet of the lake. Be aware that while the water is pretty to observe, swimming or (when the water freezes over) ice skating in the pond is strictly forbidden.

Taking a left here, there is a bit of a climb to get back to the main asphalt loop, but the hill simultaneously offers a fantastic opportunity ( that is mostly free of leaves!) to take a break and enjoy the view of the surrounding area, particularly near the top of the hill.

Coming to the top of the hill and taking a right on the asphalt road, rejoining for now the same route as the accessible route, one encounters the fantastic Grenadier Cafe which, sitting at the heart of High Park, offers a varied year-round all day breakfast menu and has a family friendly atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as washrooms.

Following the loop and taking a right at the no entry sign takes you into a more forested area, where as you keep following the trees, it is possible to see the very tall Eastern White Pine trees dominating and standing out from the rest of the trees.

 

Taking a left again, as the trail goes back to being densely forest covered, you’ll encounter maple and birch trees still holding on to their leaves, despite it being early November. The trail gets slightly cooler here and it is possible to start seeing the small stream running next to the trail when continuing along. At times the trail will widen, allowing you to get a better view of the stream.  

After a few minutes, you’ll arrive at this stunning wooden bridge and staircase, which doesn’t just make a for a fantastic photo backdrop but also allows you to observe the small stream from up close, and from the top gain an excellent view of the area. If you’re doing the more accessible route, keep following the path until the next bridge here.

After this it is possible to return to the main trail by taking a right at the top of the stairs through a small forested section.

The following image is credited to Google Maps and from 2012, due to camera issues near the end of the walk.

At this point it is possible to take a right and go through a small forested section and again towards Keele Street and Keele TTC Subway Station. To return the loop back to the High Park North Gate for the accessible route and High Park TTC Subway station, keep following the road until arriving back at the main loop.

High Park is accessible all year-round, apart from a controlled burn period usually only lasting a day and last completed in April 2024. The park is located on the route of TTC’s Line 2 or the 506  streetcar. Limited car parking is available Monday to Friday within the park and additional parking is available at Keele TTC station. The Grenadier cafe is normally open daily from 8 or 9 AM to 5 PM.