The only consolation to kissing the easy, breezy summer days goodbye is the magnificent natural show the Ontario fall foliage brings.
While much of daily life remains interrupted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a canvas of bright reds, yellows, gold, and oranges awaits to offer a chance to reconnect to nature – and fresh social media material.
Both within the mix of Toronto’s glass and concrete, and just outside of the city, you’ll find no shortage of tree-filled spots to see – and photograph – the changing leaves in all of their multi-coloured glory.
If you’re in the market for brilliant fall colours, check out these 11 spots in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
11 Best Places To Take In Fall Colours In The GTA
1. Rouge National Urban Park – Sitting just outside of the Toronto Zoo in Scarborough is the sprawling view and nature-filled Rouge National Urban Park. Here, you’ll find many trails through Ontario’s pristine wilderness, complete with lookouts to aptly document the stunning scenery.
2. The Moore Park Ravine – Offering a colourful sanctuary in the middle of midtown Toronto, the Moore Park Ravine begins at the peaceful and leafy Mount Pleasant Cemetery in the north and heads down the Don Valley Brick Works. The ravine’s well-maintained trails are perfect for a dog walk, run, or bike ride.
3. High Park – If you’d like to keep your foliage sighting and snapping within the Toronto core, a no-fail option is High Park. Aside from the brilliant fall colours, the expansive park offers a day of family fun with things like a zoo, footpaths, and an adventure playground.
4. Scarborough Bluffs – Although the Scarborough Bluffs sit just outside of the city confines, the area never fails to feel like a far-off escape, with its crystal blue water and dramatic landscapes. Here, the fall colours are best enjoyed from the breezy beach or on one of the nature trails.
5. Mount Pleasant Cemetery – With its peaceful, winding streets and sweeping tree-filled landscape, midtown Toronto’s famous Mount Pleasant Cemetery is a stunning spot to soak up the autumn brilliance for those who wish for a less-rugged walk.
6. Evergreen Brick Works – Located in the heart of Toronto’s tree-rich Don Valley, Evergreen Brick Works offers an urban playground surrounded by fiery fall hues. While you’re there, take advantage of the spot’s nature trails or the Saturday farmers’ market.
7. Crawford Lake Conservation Area – It is worth the trip to Milton to take in the vast sea of multi-coloured leaves at the expansive Crawford Lake Conservation Area. Highlights here include a boardwalk-lined lake, a network of trails, historic features, and unmatched views. Please note that reservations are now required before your visit at parkvisit.ca.
8. Escarpment Side Road – Caledon’s Escarpment Side Road offers a foliage-filled feast for the eyes each fall for those who’d rather take in the sites from the comfort of the car. The picturesque, winding roads boasts a variety of trees of red, orange, yellow, and gold.
9. Mono Cliffs Provincial Park – About an hour outside of the city, the Mono Cliffs Provincial Park sits along the iconic Bruce Trail and showcases the best of autumn in the region. Part of the Niagara Escarpment Parks System, the park is full of trails, sweeping cliffs, and even a canyon.
10. Kortright Centre for Conservation – Woodbridge’s Kortright Centre for Conservation offers 325 hectares of pristine woodland, 16 kilometres of trails, and a wonderful display of Ontario fall in all of its visually pleasing brilliance. The park prefers you make reservations online prior to arrival.
11. Mount Nemo Conservation Area – Burlington’s Mount Nemo Conservation Area offers a peaceful escape that’s filled with nature trails, rock climbing opportunities, and panoramic views of the surrounding escarpment – all perhaps best enjoyed in the autumn. Please note that reservations are now required before your visit at parkvisit.ca.
As a friendly reminder, don’t forget to follow COVID-19 protocols in parks and trails, including proper social distancing and frequent hand washing. Check websites before heading out to ensure parks are open in our rapidly changing climate.
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