running tours toronto

Toronto: GTA

Includes mississauga, brampton, burlington, pickering, markham, richmond hill. see also toronto: city.

The Greater Toronto area, extending along Lake Ontario, is a fast-growing region of nearly 7 million people. Our guide to running in the Greater Toronto area is divided into two ‘locations’: the City of Toronto , which extends from the lake north to Highway 407, east to Scarbourough and west to Etobicoke; and Toronto GTA, from Clarington to Burlington in the York, Durham, Peel, and Halton regions. This includes routes in Oshawa, Ajax/Pickering, Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill/Newmarket/Aurora, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, and Burlington.

The best places to run in the Greater Toronto Area are on the numerous waterfront paths along Lake Ontario, and a large network of multi-use trails connecting north-south linear parks. Also, much of Lakeshore Rd. from Lakeside Park in Mississauga west to Burlington, is also runnable — there are decent sidewalks and often some lovely homes and occasional lake views.

Runners should note that these communities are connected by the Go Train and other public transit options. Also, some of the paths might not be maintained in winter, which can be cold and snowy.

Location Author: Mark Lowenstein

See also: toronto city, includes etobicoke, scarborough.

Toronto: City

Set on lake ontario, toronto is north america's fourth largest city. it's a cosmopolitan, diverse place, with... more....

• Iconic Routes
• Weather & Climate
• Where To Stay
• Stores & Group Runs

Marhkam Running Options

Toronto: gta (oshawa to burlington, except the city of toronto).

Aurora and Newmarket Running Options

Richmond Hill Running Options

Vaughan Running Options

Oshawa Running Options

Pickering/Ajax Waterfront

Mississauga Running Options

Brampton Running Options

Oakville: Waterfront Running Options

Oakville: Parks and Trails

Burlington: Waterfront Trail & Centennial Trail

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Awesome running routes in Toronto

October 21, 2016

Found in “ Activities , Skills and tips , Travel and places ”

It’s hard to get stuck in a running rut in Toronto. Canada’s largest city offers a huge variety of routes to run, and an even bigger variety of places to have a coffee, smoothie or snack afterward – it’s the ultimate combo of a challenging workout, followed up with a post-run treat. Time to get out and see all that Toronto has to offer, whether you’re a local or a visitor who wants to explore in your running shoes.

Espresso at the Distillery run (3K)

Start your 3-kilometre run along the cobblestone streets and industrial brick buildings in Toronto’s historic Distillery District. Head south on Parliament Street towards Queen Street, where you’ll turn east. Make your way down to the Corktown Common before going back to the Distillery District, where a hot espresso awaits your return at Caffe Furbo.

Sunnyside views and cold juice run (5K)

From Palais Royale, this 5-kilometre route leads you west on the Martin Goodman Trail toward the Humber Bay Arch Bridge. Once there, head down to the Sunnyside Boardwalk. The pleasant breeze, evenly paved sidewalk and relatively flat terrain make this path a great place to get some speed work in on a Sunday morning. You’ll return to Palais Royale, and then head up to Roncesvalles Avenue. Stop at Village Juicery for an organic drink to rehydrate – if you’re feeling bold, you can add a wake-up shot of fresh ginger or turmeric root.

MEC to Liberty with a Feelgood meal run (6K)

This 6-kilometre run begins at King and Spadina. From there, head west toward Liberty Village, one of the city’s quickly growing neighbourhoods. Once you hit Dufferin, go north toward Queen Street West and make your way back to Tecumseth Street. End your run at Feelgoodguru, where you can cool down with a refreshing smoothie or load up on some delicious vegan Mac n “Cheese.”

High Park and coffee run (7K)

Limber up on Parkside and The Queensway before you embark on this 7-kilometre run . You’ll make your way through High Park, alongside Grenadier Pond, before cutting through the park zoo – be sure to greet the animals as you pass by. In spring, High Park’s cherry blossom trees make this run extra scenic. Come back up Spring Road toward Bloor Street and head down Roncesvalles to reach Extra Butter Coffee, your final stop. Treat yourself to something sweet or keep your energy going with a cup of their renowned bulletproof coffee.

Academia and Sunnybrook pie… uh, park – run (10K)

For this 10-kilometre run , you’ll begin on Bayview Avenue, and run north toward Lawrence Avenue. Make your way through York University’s quaint liberal arts campus, Glendon College, before heading down to Sunnybrook Park. Follow the river through Serena Gundy Park and E.T. Seton Park before returning to civilization. After working up an appetite, finish your run at North Shore Pie Co. for a totally tasty freshly baked pie (savoury or sweet) – you’ve earned it.

Parks and pastries in North York run (15K)

If you’re looking for a longer workout with a mix of scenery, then this 15-kilometre run is for you. Start at the RioCan Marketplace and head down to G. Ross Lord Park. Make your way toward Bathurst to cross over to Bishop Avenue and into Bestview Park. Then, hop onto Garnier Court to Newton Drive, and return to Yonge Street. Cap off your run with a visit to Red Rose Patisserie and treat yourself to a tasty Persian pastry and some tea.

Lakes, brick buildings, open parks and good coffee – Toronto has plenty of sights and treats for runners. You’ll never be at a loss for a new route to explore. If you’re looking for a run crew, join local meet-up runs or check out races. Have fun!

Photo credits: Debra Wiseberg / Getty Images, Kiev.Victor / Shutterstock.com, Jon Bilous / Shutterstock.com

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Running Toronto’s Waterfront: Three Scenic Routes from the Pros

Whether you’re up for a 5- or 15-kilometre run, you’ll pass by some of toronto’s best beaches and attractions..

The most experienced, and most enthusiastic, Toronto runners will tell you that the Lake Ontario waterfront offers some of the best and most scenic running routes in Toronto. 

Free of vehicle traffic, and largely free of traffic lights, these multi-use paths are friendly and flat, and they stretch from the Etobicoke Creek in the west to the Rouge River in the east. Many routes will include stretches of the Martin Goodman Trail, which runs 22 kilometres from the Humber Bridge to the Eastern Beaches.

You’ll share the Martin Goodman with cyclists, walkers and in-line skaters, and you’ll pass by some of Toronto’s most inviting beaches. To help you plot your path, we asked a few of Toronto’s expert runners to recommend some waterfront training routes.

Option 1: 4½ kilometres from Sugar Beach to Trillium Park

Charlotte Brookes serves as race director of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and she’s been involved in the Toronto running scene since she was eight years old. A marathon runner and cyclist, Brookes says her favourite stretch of the waterfront is at Trillium Park, which is located to the east and south of Ontario Place.

“It gives people an opportunity to get close to the water,” Brookes says of the stretch of the William G. Davis Trail, which connects to the Martin Goodman Trail and opened in the summer of 2017 behind Ontario Place, abutting Lake Ontario. “I’m born and raised in Toronto, but when I’m running down there, I forget about the city and exhale.” 

“There are so many landmarks on the straight-waterfront-shot from Sugar Beach to Trillium Park, all along the waterfront, including the Harbourfront Centre, the wavedecks along Queens Quay, the Music Garden and Trillium Park,” Brookes says. “And you can finish down the pathway to the lake in one of the most beautiful stretches of the city! It’s a made-in-Toronto [almost] 5K you won’t forget anytime soon.”

The route: Start at Sugar Beach, run west to Trillium Park.

Option 2: 10 kilometres in the east

Dave Emilio, a long-time race organizer and run leader who is based in the Beaches, says you can’t beat an east-side waterfront swim on a certified beach or else a picturesque run along the boardwalk.  

“You’re running in an area where people are having fun,” says Emilio, race director of the Tannenbaum 10K and Shakespeare Runs the Night. “There’s a captivating spirit you get from seeing boats in the marina, lawn bowlers, volleyball players and families on the beach. You’re running through a community and there’s an important Beaches principle: everyone is welcome.”

The route: Start at Leslie Street and Lake Shore Boulevard East. Then, on the boardwalk, head east, then go south at Coxwell Avenue and continue down to the tip of the peninsula. 

Now head back to the boardwalk and run past Woodbine Avenue and Kew Gardens on your way out to Balmy Beach. From there, shoot straight back west and finish your run at Woodfield Road.

Option 3: (Almost) 15 kilometres in the west

Kate Van Buskirk is a Commonwealth Games medallist as well as host and producer of The Shakeout Podcast and the athlete director for Athletics Canada. She recommends a route that traverses the stunning Humber Bay Arch Bridge. A Tokyo-Olympic hopeful in middle distances, Van Buskirk says she trains on the Martin Goodman Trail because of the community. 

“Even if you’re running alone and don’t run into a friend, you’re always getting smiles, little waves and nods,” says Van Buskirk. This stretch of the trail is the place in the world she’s run most. “The city also does an incredible job of keeping the trail well maintained throughout the year, which is so important.”

The route: From Strachan Avenue and Lakeshore, head west and pass Palais Royale and the Sunnyside Pavilion Café. Ascend the Humber Bay Arch Bridge, which is always majestic, and run past the Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat, with convenient signage, then run straight onto Marine Parade Drive, which ends at a smaller pedestrian bridge. “Touch the end of the small bridge and head back to Strachan and you’ve just done 14.48K!” 

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Top 20 Running Trails around Toronto

Running trails around toronto.

Running around Toronto is one of the best ways to explore more of this region. To help you discover the most beautiful places to run, we’ve reviewed our full collection of routes around Toronto—and are proud to present the best running trails. Click on any of the routes for more details and browse real tips and photos uploaded by other runners.

Plan. Save. Navigate. Your best adventures await.

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Inukshuk Park – Marilyn Bell Park loop from t. Andrew

Inukshuk park – coronation park loop from toronto union station.

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Marilyn bell park – inukshuk park loop from little tibet, inukshuk park – marilyn bell park loop from dundas, coronation park – inukshuk park loop from little tibet.

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Explore more of Ontario : Browse the best Running Trails & Routes in other regions.

• Lake Saint Clair
• Lake Ontario
• East Gwillimbury
• Royal Botanical Gardens
• Laurel Creek Conservation Area
• Guelph/Eramosa
• Rouge National Park
• Rouge National Urban Park (Bob Hunter Memorial)
• Niagara Falls
• Crawford Lake Conservation Area
• Niagara-On-The-Lake
• Mississauga
• Halton Hills
• Whitchurch-Stouffville
• Thames Centre
• Richmond Hill
• Algonquin Highlands
• Nipissing, Unorganized, South Part
• Roseville Swamp / Blair Creek Corridor
• Bradford West Gwillimbury
• Kortright Centre For Conservation
• Algonquin Provincial Park
• Frontenac Islands
• Adjala-Tosorontio
• Georgian Bay
• The Blue Mountains
• Hockley Valley Provincial Park
• Rare Charitable Reserve
• Lake Of Bays
• Bendor And Graves Tract
• Big East River Provincial Park
• Arrowhead Provincial Park
• Bronte Creek Provincial Park
• Grey Highlands
• Middlesex Centre
• Short Hills Provincial Park
• Preservation Park
• Guelph Lake Conservation Area
• Claireville Conservation Area
• Thunder Bay
• Prince Edward County
• Quinte West
• Blandford-Blenheim
• North Dumfries
• Muskoka Lakes
• Pretty River Valley Provincial Park
• Greenwood Conservation Area
• Greater Sudbury / Grand Sudbury
• Daisy Lake Uplands Provincial Park
• La péninsule South Bruce
• St. Catharines
• Laurentian Hills
• Petawawa Terrace Provincial Park
• Oak Ridges Corridor Conservation Reserve

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Rome, Italy

Seeing the Colosseum at sunrise is worth it alone, but we were blown away by the sights on this tour! Our guide Simone was amazing and shared little details alongside the history of all the places we stopped. I think we hit all the major places that were on our to-do list. The streets are mostly empty and it’s so beautiful to see the city before it wakes up. Highly recommend this tour for anyone who is able to run the distance at a comfortable pace! We went about 11 minutes per mile.

Barcelona, Spain

This was such an unexpected and great service. Instead of running around on my own trying to add miles during my marathon training plan in an unfamiliar city, I was able to focus on the beautiful city. Mattia was super friendly, professional and accommodating. Besides being an amazing experience seeing the city in the morning at its most quiet, I also pushed myself to my fastest half marathon time at 2h 16 min, while holding a nice conversation with Mattia. I was definitely out of my comfort zone, as a lone runner. A million thanks to Mattia for making it so easy and enjoyable!

Mexico City, Mexico

This was a fantastic tour. Citla is an excellent tour guide. She’s got incredible knowledge about the city and is very passionate about the city and its heritage. I’m delighted I did the tour and got to see some of Mexico city’s highlights. I would strongly recommend anyone wanting to explore the city to give this a go. Citla ran at a comfortable pace and we had many stops to chat, examine points of interest and take some photos. She’s a very patient guide and I think it will be an unforgettable tour for anyone interested.

Paris, France

As another runner has said, this was the highlight of my trip to Paris. As a runner, there is no better way to explore a city. Wake up early and get your run in, while also seeing some beautiful gardens and buildings. You’ll hear all about the history of each place, and you can stop along the way for a photo. Aurélien even had me going for a fast final kick at the end! It was great!

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Toronto Trail Runners is the longest and oldest trail running group in Toronto.

Born out of the Salomon Toronto Store at the Shops of Don Mills back in 2012, a group of store staff started leading weekly trail runs in the nearby trails of Edwards Gardens, Sunny Brook Park, Serena Gundy Park and E.T. Seton Park.

Now, our trail enthusiasts and running leads continue to guide new and experienced running through the trails of Toronto every Wednesday night. For meeting spots and locations, please follow us on Instagram.

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Dig into delicious eats on this local food tour of a historic Toronto neighbourhood

Posted 2 days ago Rachel Goodman

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Get a taste of one of Toronto’s most vibrant neighbourhoods on this guided food tour.

Tasty Tours is running food tours of Toronto’s iconic Kensington Market daily until December 22 where guests get to try samples from a collection of delicious restaurants.

The tour takes visitors on a journey through the market’s eclectic culinary landscape, shedding light on hidden gems and well known trendsetting eateries, as well as the neighbourhood’s rich cultural history.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tasty Tours (@tasty_tours)

Tour goers are granted skip-the-line-access at all the stops along the way, meaning they won’t have to wait around to dig into delectable dishes like Tibetan dumplings and savoury Jamaican patties.

Between bites, visitors can admire Kensington Market’s endless displays of street art, graffiti murals, and peruse local shops and mom and pop market stalls.

Guests will also learn about the area’s origins, from its beginnings as a Jewish marketplace to an enclave teeming with Hip-Hop talent, and how it fought through a slew of COVID-19 set-backs.

The stops included on the tour will be kept a secret, but those with dietary restrictions are encouraged to inform the company ahead of time.

The tours run daily, except on Tuesdays, and tickets cost $69 per person. Kids under 7 are free but will not receive food samples.

Tasty Tours run excursions throughout the city including one covering foodie hotspots in the downtown core, virtual chocolate tastings run by expert chocolatiers, and private foodie tours.

It is also running a Mothers’ Day food tour on May 11 and 12 in Kensington Market, offering a curated selection of treats in celebration of mothers everywhere!

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