Hiking Toronto for Dog Lovers

Explore the Lower Don Trails under the Bloor Street Viaduct between Carlton Street and Pottery Road.  In this 7.5 km hike, you'll pass through several iconic Toronto locations, including Cabbagetown favourites: Riverdale Park and Riverdale Farm, Wellesely Park and Necropolis Cemetery, a sculpture garden, the Don River, Pottery Road, Evergreen Brickworks and Rosedale Valley Road. I call this an epic hike because it takes you through several hiking hotspots in Toronto, but it's only a 7.5k loop in reality. Parking Because this hike takes you through several parks, there are many starting points.  We parked in a free spot at Riverdale Park West ( 387 Carlton Street ), where you'll see the entrance to the Riverdale Farm, typical Cabbagetown homes, a tree sculpture and a map of the entire area.  Riverdale Park West After parking, head down the hill to the field with the Sam Pollock ball diamond. This entire field is a permanent off-leash area for dogs. There are stairs on the ...

The parkland south of Steeles Ave between Bayview Ave and Leslie Street is a huge area with many trails. One trail follows the Don River, and another follows the tributary, German Mills Creek. The trails immediately behind the tennis courts are known as Bestview Park Nature Trails.  Parking Park near the  Steelesview Public School  at 105 Bestview Drive. Park on the street or use the spots at the school when it is closed.  Suggested Routes These trails are difficult to describe since none of them are marked. To make it clearer, I've separated the trail descriptions into three parts, as indicated by the numbers on the map. From Bestview Ave, follow the paved path between the tennis courts and the children's playground to the first bridge. This is the spot where the German Mills Creek flows into the Don River and is where our routes split into 1) right to St. Joes, 2) straight to Cummer, and 3) left to Leslie Street and a loop back to Bestview Park. Saint Joe's Turn ri...