My 5 Favorite Places to enjoy the Fall Colors in Toronto

The fall is now here and it is my favorite season of the year. I personally love watching the leaves change color, the cool breeze and being outdoors without being sweaty. Over the years I have made an effort to better know Toronto neighborhoods and its various parks.  Based on my own tastes I have ranked my favorite places to be in the Fall and outdoors for a few hours. 

1) Rouge Valley

Located on the opposite side (East side) from the Toronto Zoo this park has more than 20km of properly maintained trails.  You can choose to walk along the valley top or on Rouge Rivers edge in the valley below.  The views up top are exquisite and when you are down next to the river the city fully disappears. You can hear and see lots of wildlife and if you are quiet you might just sneak up on a deer. The crowds have yet to discover this park and it is going to undergo many changes as it becomes Canada's next urban National park.

For more information: http://www.rougepark.com/

Pros: Large size, long trails, quiet, 3 parking lots and lack of crowds.

Cons: No public washrooms or other amenities.

Rouge Park in the Fall 2011

Rouge Park in the Fall 2010 

Rouge Park in the Fall 2011

2) Guildwood Park

Located on Guildwood Parkway off of Kingston Rd this park is a repository of statues and monuments from old Toronto buildings now demolished.  This place is popular for shutterbugs and wedding photographers alike.  It was once the home of the Guildwood Hotel, but now it lies in ruin. Situated at top of the Scarborough Bluffs about 2.5 km of trails at the top or you can take the access road and walk several kilometers along the lake Ontario's edge.

Fore more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guildwood

Pros: Statues and Monuments, view at top of Scarborough Bluffs, lots or Parking

Cons: No amenities and public transit is distant by bus.

Guildwood Park

Guildwood Park view from the Bluffs

3) Edwards Garden and Sunnybrook Park

Located at Lawrence Ave E and Leslie St this park has both manicured gardens and recently renovated trail that follows Wilket Creek South.  Edwards Garden is one of the places for wedding photos and even into the fall on a Saturday you could see half a dozen wedding parties.  My wife personally likes to see from a distance the latest in bridal and bridesmaid fashions.  Sunnybrook park also has countless spaces for picnics and a large sports field.  

Edwards Gardens is also the home of the Toronto Botanical Gardens.

Pros: Gardens, paved trails, and amenities.

Cons: Busy parking lot and crowds.

Edwards Garden Waterfall

4) Hogg's Hollow

Located Southeast of Yonge St and Yorkmills Ave just behind the Miller Tavern.  This is just a scenic neighborhood at the bottom of the valley on both sides of the West Don River.  You can see countless nicely designed homes and behind them tree lined valley walls.  Walk to the ends of both Plymbridge Rd and Donwoods Dr and all the other small dead-end streets. My wife and I have walked around numerous neighborhoods and what differentiates this neighborhood is the lack of through traffic.

For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoggs_Hollow

Pros: Scenic, lack of traffic and quiet.

Cons: Finding parking if the nearby tennis courts are full.

Hogg's Hollow - Bridge Crossing West Don River

5) High Park

Located at Bloor St W. and Parkside Dr. this park has about 10 km of maintained pathways, a small zoo, great playground and large off leash dog area.  It is great to walk around Grenadier Pond to see the swans and to stroll thought the large dog area to see the dogs at play.  Lots of trees to see fall colors and in the spring you have the Cherry Blossom trees. Make a second stop for some gourmet groceries at nearby Cheese Boutique.   Too many tasty things to name in this store.

For more information: http://www.highpark.org/

Pros: Ease of access by Subway, amenities, great playground, small zoo and nearby restaurants on Bloor West.
Cons: Finding parking and crowds.

High Park Maple Leaf

One of the trails at High Park

Honorable Mentions:  

Forest Hill neighborhood at St. Clair and Spadina Rd, Rosedale neighborhood at Yonge Ave and Roxborough Dr., Ashbridge's Bay Park (see my review) at Coxwell Ave and Lake Shore Blvd East, and the Toronto Islands. 

Do you have a favorite place?  Please tell me.  My wife and I are always looking for great places around the city.