New Trails in Charles Sauriol Conservation Area

A favourite trail has become even better! For the past few years, construction equipment has been on the south end of the Charles Sauriol Conservation Area. The construction is now complete, and the new trails connect even more neighbourhoods to this popular area of Toronto.

Lucy on the new trails of Charles Sauriol Conservation Area

The paved trail was originally from Lawrence Ave in the north to Wynford Drive in the south. Now you can follow paved trails to Wigmore Park or Anewen Greenbelt. Hiking from the Lawrence Ave parking lot to Wigmore Park is 3 km, so an in and out hike is a very pleasant 6 km. 

Normally the parking lot and the trails are not maintained over the winter months. However, with Covid-19 still causing havoc, the city has decided to maintain trails this winter to allow people to get outdoors to get exercise and stress relief. 

Google map of trails in the Charles Sauriol Conservation Area

If you are new to this hiking area, maybe you have seen the rainbow tunnel driving on the DVP. This tunnel connects Moccasin Park to Charles Sauriol Conservation Area. There is a parking area in Moccossin Park as well. Read our blog about this trail Charles Sauriol and Moccasin Park.

This 6 km route can be viewed on the UA MapmyWalkApp:  https://www.mapmywalk.com/workout/4980196852.

Mapmywalk map of trails in the Charles Sauriol Conservation Area

Parking

There are many parking spots at the Old Lawrence Ave entrance. This is the site of the Milne House that was built in 1871. You can read more about the history of this area in the Hiking the GTA Blog.

Lawrence Ave Parking Lot for Charles Sauriol Conservation Area

Conservation Area

When hiking in a conservation area, you have the opportunity to observe plants and animals in their natural habitat. Near the trailhead are signs for the Toronto Bird Flyways, interpretive signs to understand the region, and a seating area overlooking a pond.

Seating and viewing area of the pond

This is an excellent spot to watch the birds that migrate through Toronto. We've seen great blue heron, sandpiper, grosbeak, cardinals, sparrows, cedar waxwings, woodpeckers, finches, warblers, and more.

Pond in Charles Sauriol Conservation Area

eBird Canada is an online resource that allows people to record the birds they've seen in the area.
 
Past the pond is a seating area along the Don River. This is one of the spots where you can see salmon migrating up the river in September and October.

Don River in Charles Sauriol Conservation Area

The Don Valley Parkway is on the other side of the river, so the trail is only truly quiet when the highway is closed. 

If you turn right at the first bridge, you'll see the popular rainbow tunnel. This is an excellent spot for photo opportunities and leads to the Moccasin Trail. For more information on this trail, see our blog entry, Charles Sauriol and Moccasin Park.

Rainbow tunnel in the Charles Sauriol Conservation Area

To access the new trails, keep on the main path going south under the train trestle.

Train trestle in Charles Sauriol Conservation Area

The next bridge on the trail is one that I photograph often. It looks interesting in every season and is another common spot for heron or salmon sightings.

Bridge in Charles Sauriol Conservation Area

Although the trail is finished, there is still work being done on the park train bridges. 

Construction on trail bridges in the Charles Sauriol Conservation Area

New Trails

There is a large open area that marks the beginning of the new trails. If you go left over the bridge, you're in new territory.

Large open area is the beginning of the new trails

If you turn right, you'll access the steep trail to Wynford Ave. This part of the trail is still under construction but is open when workers are not present.

Construction on the trail to Wynford Ave in the Charles Sauriol Conservation Area

The Don River twists and turns in this part of the park, so much of the construction work entailed building the bridges that cross the river multiple times.

Bridge over the Don River in the Charles Sauriol Conservation Area

In between the bridges, there is space to play with friends you encounter along the way.

Dogs greeting each other in the Charles Sauriol Conservation Area

The trail takes you under another train bridge that is under construction. 

Train bridge under construction in the Charles Sauriol Conservation Area

And then there's another bridge over the Don River. 

Bridge over the Don River in the Charles Sauriol Conservation Area

In this part of the trail, they've added seating areas where you can rest and visit with friends. The forest is thick and mature in this section, so there are opportunities for wildlife sightings. 

Seating area in the Charles Sauriol Conservation Area

The next section is a bridge followed by a boardwalk followed by another bridge. I'm not sure why it was engineered this way, but the fences and bridges make it harder for people to visit the forest and river, but hopefully, wildlife is not blocked.

Two more bridges over the Don River in the Charles Sauriol Area

A switchback was built into the trail to reduce the steepness of the hill. 

Switchback trail in the Charles Sauriol Conservation Area

The next part of the trail is fenced on both sides. I'm not sure of the rationale for the fences, but there are rails, so perhaps it's to help people walk on the steep trail, which is slippery at times.

Fenced in trail in the Charles Sauriol Conservation Area

You'll see side trails on both sides of the path in this area. Signs have not been erected yet, but I have explored every trail.

Sidetrails on the new trail in the Charles Sauriol Conservation Area

The one on the left takes you to the Anewen Greenbelt which is a large open area that leads to nearby neighbourhoods. The side trail on the right-hand side goes to the river and then ends. Trails are being built on both sides of Eglinton Ave, so perhaps this trail will eventually connect with the trails near the Flemingdon Park Golf Course.

Last stretch of the trail is steep with fence on one side

The last stretch of the new trail takes you up a hill. The trail is fenced on one side.

Wigmore Park at the end of the new Charles Sauriol trails

And finally, you'll be at Wigmore Park. The walk was just under 3 km from the Lawrence Ave parking lot with plenty of hills to climb, rivers to cross and things to see. 

Offleash Opportunities

Letting your dog off-leash on this trail depends on your dog's recall ability and the number of people on the trail. I often use the unpaved trails to let Lucy run free.

Trail extensions

There are several side-trails that can be explored if you want to make your hike longer or more rustic. 
From the Lawrence Ave parking lot, we've hiked north along the Don River to the Donalda Golf Course. From a side trail after the last bridge in the new area, we hiked south all the way to the Taylor Creek Trail near E.T. Seton and the elevated wetlands. We've explored the old foot trails through the Anewen Greenspace area. We've explored both sides of the river through the entire park. If you have the time and desire, there is much to explore.

Instagram

Enjoy your walk! When you post photos to Instagram, tag us at @hikingtoronto or #hikingtorontowithlucy

Location: Charles Sauriol Conservation Area, 1191 Lawrence Ave E, North York, ON M3A 3P9, Canada

Comments

  1. UnknownSeptember 26, 2021 at 8:11 AM

    Maybe the fences are to protect wildlife from the hundreds of unleashed dogs, which destroy ground nesting birds and damage delicate native plants. Please keep your dog on a leash in wild areas.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJuly 24, 2022 at 8:44 AM

    I love the new trail however the old dirt trail had a certain appeal as well. So many trees were cut down in the process which is sad.

    ReplyDelete

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