By The Richards Group Re/Max Hallmark - East Toronto’s #1 Real Estate Brokerage
The lake is pale silver at seven in the morning, and the only sound is the soft whir of tires on the path. Head south and you’re riding the shoreline. Head north and, within a few kilometres, the city falls away into green ravines. Few Toronto neighbourhoods sit this close to so many great rides, and these are the routes in and around The Beaches we’d show you first.
Key Takeaways
- The Martin Goodman Trail runs the length of The Beaches along the lake, linking Kew-Balmy Beach, Woodbine Beach, and Ashbridges Bay Park.
- Tommy Thompson Park, at the foot of Leslie Street, offers a ride into 250 hectares of urban wilderness with sweeping skyline views.
- The Lower Don Trail and Taylor Creek Park lead riders into the city’s ravine system, with connections to Don Valley Brick Works Park and Riverdale Park.
- The Danforth Avenue cycle tracks, made permanent in 2021, run from Broadview Avenue to Victoria Park Avenue and make everyday rides across the east end easy.
Lakefront Rides: The Martin Goodman Trail and the Leslie Street Spit
The Martin Goodman Trail is the backbone of cycling in The Beaches. It follows the shoreline with the water beside you the whole way, changing from slate to turquoise with the weather and the hour. Ride it west past Ashbridges Bay, and the lakefront opens into one of the most dramatic rides in the city.
At the foot of Leslie Street, Tommy Thompson Park stretches out into the lake, a 250-hectare landscape of wild meadows, quiet coves, and wide-open sky. It feels a world away, yet it’s a short ride from Queen Street East.
At the foot of Leslie Street, Tommy Thompson Park stretches out into the lake, a 250-hectare landscape of wild meadows, quiet coves, and wide-open sky. It feels a world away, yet it’s a short ride from Queen Street East.
Stops Worth Making Along the Water
- Kew-Balmy Beach marks the calm eastern end of the trail, with Muskoka chairs along the boardwalk and paddleboard and kayak rentals for a turn on the water.
- Woodbine Beach pairs long stretches of sand and volleyball courts with the Donald D. Summerville Olympic Pool just steps from the trail.
- The Leuty Lifeguard Station, standing on the sand since the 1920s, is the neighbourhood’s most photographed landmark and a natural place to pause.
- Tommy Thompson Park rewards the longer ride with birdwatching, lagoons, and one of the best views of the downtown skyline anywhere in Toronto, so check the park’s posted hours before you set out.
Ravine Rides: The Lower Don Trail and Taylor Creek Park
North of the lake, Toronto’s ravines offer a different kind of ride. Tree canopy closes overhead, the river moves alongside you, and the sound of traffic softens to birdsong. From The Beaches, it’s an easy trip west to the Don Valley and into some of the city’s most beautiful green corridors.
The Lower Don Trail follows the river and connects to the waterfront trails, while Taylor Creek Park winds through a wooded ravine in East York before meeting the Don.
The Lower Don Trail follows the river and connects to the waterfront trails, while Taylor Creek Park winds through a wooded ravine in East York before meeting the Don.
Ravine Routes Worth Knowing
- The Lower Don Trail runs alongside the Don River and links to Corktown Common and Riverdale Park, so a loop from the lake into the valley is simple to plan.
- Don Valley Brick Works Park, connected to the Lower Don network, is a lovely place to rest among ponds, meadows, and restored heritage buildings.
- Taylor Creek Park offers a quieter, leafier ride through East York, following the creek through a ravine that feels miles from the city.
- In autumn, the ravines are at their most striking, with maples and oaks turning gold and red above the trail.
City Rides: The Danforth and Neighbourhood Loops
Some of the best rides are the everyday ones. The Danforth Avenue cycle tracks run from Broadview Avenue to Victoria Park Avenue, connecting The Beaches to Greektown, local cafés, and the shops of the east end. Closer to home, Queen Street East and Kew Gardens make the perfect places to coast, lock up, and linger.
Ways to Ride Like a Local
- The Danforth cycle tracks turn a trip to the Danforth for dinner or groceries into a pleasant ride rather than a drive.
- A slow lap of Queen Street East rewards you with cafés, bakeries, and independent boutiques, all within a few blocks of one another.
- Kew Gardens offers shaded lawns and benches for a picnic lunch or a few quiet pages of a book after a longer ride.
- A home with a generous front hall, a garage, or covered storage makes heading out as easy as reaching for your keys, and our current homes for sale include many with that kind of everyday ease.
FAQs
What’s the best season for cycling around The Beaches?
Late spring through early fall is the most popular stretch, with warm mornings and long evenings on the water. Autumn rides are a particular pleasure, especially through the ravines, where the colour peaks and the paths grow quiet.
Which route is best for a family ride?
The Martin Goodman Trail is the easiest place to start, since it’s largely flat and follows the lake. Short out-and-back rides between Kew-Balmy Beach and Woodbine Beach give younger riders plenty of sand and water to look forward to.
Can I explore these routes without owning a bike?
Yes. Bike Share Toronto operates stations across the east end, which makes it easy to try a lakefront or ravine ride before investing in a bike of your own.
Connect with The Richards Group Re/Max Hallmark - East Toronto’s #1 Real Estate Brokerage Today
The best neighbourhoods give you something to look forward to each morning, and here it might be the lake, the spit, or the quiet of a ravine trail. As The Richards Group, we help buyers find homes in The Beaches that put all three within easy reach.
When you’re ready to look, reach out to The Richards Group Re/Max Hallmark - East Toronto’s #1 Real Estate Brokerage. Picture the water on one side, the trees on the other, and home just a few blocks behind you.
When you’re ready to look, reach out to The Richards Group Re/Max Hallmark - East Toronto’s #1 Real Estate Brokerage. Picture the water on one side, the trees on the other, and home just a few blocks behind you.
