Rouge Valley - Toronto's Eastern Edge

Rouge Valley bills itself as "Canada's Premier Urban Wilderness Park" and we certainly love it.  My wife and I have visiting a few times year for several years now and it was by accident the first time we went.  Several years ago we wanted to go to the Zoo on a Victoria Day weekend and realized everyone else wanted to go as well.  I made a wrong turn at the Zoo entrance and noticed an old farm house and a bulletin board with hiking trails, curious we got out of the car and explored.  We walked along top of the Vista Trail and we were hooked.

Look Out Point - Rouge Valley - Vista Trail

You can hike along the top of the valley in places and also along the edge of the Rouge River or the Little Rouge Creek.  There are more than 20 km of maintained trails and many of them are not marked on the map.   Access to the park and parking are both free as well.  Making this a great cheap date.

Little Rouge Creek

At the North End of the Main Park there are several duck ponds as the area is being restored to a wetland. During the Spring and Fall you can countless geese and other migratory birds as they travel.  Also, if you look carefully you can see turtles sun bathing on logs and muskrats swimming.

Duck Pond

Muskrat Swimming

Tips for Enjoying the Rouge Valley:

• Bring comfortable hiking shoes, snacks and bottled water.  The trails can be rough in places so open toe shoes is a bad idea.  There are no snack bar or fountains in the park.  Also, the trails are not stroller friendly.  
• The parking lots can get full on the weekends; I'd suggest going earlier in the day before Noon.  Also, you will find it quieter with a fewer people; so you can enjoy the birds singing.  
• Bring your camera and get some great shots.  
• Bring your Smartphone and use one of those walking/running apps to track your progress and 
• The park does not have proper washrooms, just a few port o' potties.  I'd suggest stopping at a washroom before heading into the park.
• Bring a nature or bird guide to learn more about what you are seeing.  A large variety of birds make the park their home and we always see bird watchers.
• Fido is also welcome in the park.  The signs say to keep your fur baby leashed, but most people don't.

Vista Trail - Next to Spring Trilliums

Spring Trilliums - Ontario's Provincial Flower

Key Links:

The Rouge Valley has a professional website here and includes details on the history of the park, biodiversity and events at the park.

For a Map of the Park including hiking trails click here.  

For a detailed guide to the park click here.

The Trail Along Little Rouge Creek

How to get Here and Places to Park:

The park is located at the Eastern edge of Toronto just before Pickering and easily gotten to via the 401 and driving a few minutes North off of Meadowvale Road. There are 3 lots for the central portion of the Park.  If it is your first time you visiting, I'd suggest parking at Rouge Valley Conservation Centre; where you can get a map and to speak to volunteers at the Visitor Centre.

Enlargement of Park Map

• Rouge Valley Conservation Centre - Off of Meadowvale Road, North of Sheppard Ave.  Instead of going up the ramp and making a left to the Toronto Zoo, make a right and park next to the old Farm house.
• Twyn Rivers Drive - Take Meadowvale Road North to Sheppard Avenue and go east on Sheppard 1 Block and make the first left onto Twyn Rivers Drive. 
• Glen Rouge Campground - Instead of Meadowvale Road exit, take the following Kingston Road exit.  Make a left onto Kingston Road and go east for about 5 minutes.  The entrance is on the left side as you descent down into the Valley. 

Mast Trail - Along the Rouge River

What to do Around the Park:

• On the Westside of the Rouge Valley is the Toronto Zoo if your legs are up for more walking.
• Further to the North there is an area of the park called Woodlands Area at the intersection of Steeles ave and Reesor Road.  I find this portion of the park less scenic, but in May when the Trilliums are in bloom you can them in the thousands along the trail adjacent to the Little Rouge River.
• South of the Park there is Rouge Beach on Lake Ontario and it has a Sandy Beach for sunbathing, a Marsh Area where you can see countless birds and a short boardwalk.
• In regards to eating, there are the usual fast food chains (Tim Horton's, Mr. Sub, McDonald's, Mucho Burrito, Starbucks, and Wimpy's Diner) near the intersection of Port Union Drive and Kingston Road. My wife and I normally bring snacks like trail mix, nuts, and fresh fruit... as a more enjoyable alternative. 

Comments? Thoughts? Suggestions?  Have a favorite place to be outdoors in Toronto?  Add your comments below.

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.