Looking for easy biking trails in Toronto? We’ve curated a list of trails that are flat, relatively short, and completely or mostly car-free. Each trail has access to Bike Share stations with locations marked in the map below. More importantly, these trails really show off what Toronto’s biking scene is like: exploring the natural scenery, adventuring through neighbourhoods, and seeing sights you can only see on two wheels.
Where they are
Tommy Thompson Park is a great spot for anyone getting into cycling, or back into it. It’s completely flat, closed to public car traffic, and not too busy. The roads themselves are wide, open and smooth, with speed bumps along the way to prevent others from zipping past you unexpectedly. There’s free parking right at the entrance, along with Bike Share stations for bike rentals if needed.
Tommy Thompson Park is often referred to as an “accidental wilderness.” What used to be a landfill has now been taken over by nature, and the views are incredible. It’s one of the best places to spot the Toronto skyline among the blue waters of Lake Ontario. Yellow vetch, red clover, and other wildflowers line the path as you ride through. You’re almost guaranteed to see cormorants and swallows flying above you, and be sure to keep an eye out for beavers, deer, and the occasional mink.
As you explore the trail, you’ll come across a floating bridge, brick-filled beaches, and the Toronto Harbour Light, the lighthouse at the very tip. If you’re lucky, you might see a few artistic brick sculptures at the beaches, built by nameless artists from the city.
It’s a great length for a beginner, and since the scenery is good the entire way, you can turn back whenever you want and still have a great ride.
The Toronto Islands are a classic Toronto destination, and there’s literally no better way to explore them than by bike. The roads are flat, open, wide, and completely car-free. You’ll first start the ride by crossing the water by ferry or water taxi – you can bring your own bike on both. There’s also Bike Share stations on the island if you’re renting a bicycle.
Ward’s Island, Hanlan’s Point, and Centre Island compose the Toronto Islands, and each section has its own character and history, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The entire island is filled with vast green space and open spots to capture the Toronto city skyline. If you’re looking for a family-friendly outing or a romantic date spot with a partner, exploring the islands by bike is perfect.
Ward’s Island, with a tranquil wooden boardwalk near the beach and the Island Cafe, is the quieter residential area on the islands. At Hanlan’s Point and Centre Island, the vibes are much more festive. Hanlan’s Point features the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse and a clothing-optional beach, while Centre Island has The Centreville Amusement Park, a petting zoo, restaurants, parks with abundant gardens and a maze, and beautiful views of Lake Ontario by the pier.
The islands are small enough that you’re never far from a ferry back, and at around 10 km end to end, it’s an easy ride. There are cafes and restaurants scattered throughout if you need a break, or pack your own picnic and make a day of it. You’re bound to have a good time biking at the Toronto Islands.
At #3, we have the Finch Hydro Corridor trail. It’s a bit longer at 15 km, but you can ride as much or as little of it as you want. The path is relatively flat and very smooth to ride on, and the long, straight stretches make it easy to settle into a rhythm. There’s also much less traffic than most trails downtown. You’ll be on a bike path for the majority of the time, but there are road crossings and two areas where you’ll travel on the sidewalk. If you’re looking to rent a bicycle, there’s Bike Share stations along the trail.
Whenever I think of the Finch Hydro Corridor, I think of a sea of green. Riding through the trail is very zen – you’ll bike past open fields of grass and wildflowers, hydro towers stretching above you, and the sparkling waters of G. Ross Lord Reservoir. The scenery is beautiful, albeit a bit static, but that’s part of the appeal. If you ride towards Yonge Street, you’ll be able to find a lot of food options nearby. Overall, it’s a calm, relaxing ride, away from busy neighbourhoods and streets, and safe for beginners to go at a comfortable pace.
Taylor Creek Park is the shortest ride on this list at 3.2 km, and it’s completely car-free with no road crossings to worry about. The trail is wide and mostly smooth, with a few patches of dirt and gravel along the way. There are some rolling hills, so it’s not quite as flat as the other trails on this list. It’s close to the downtown core, which means more foot traffic to navigate around, and there are Bike Share stations nearby if you’re renting.
What makes Taylor Creek worth riding is the ravine itself. Seeing the scale of the trees while you’re still in the middle of the city is a tremendous feeling, and the creek follows you for the entire ride. In the fall the colours through here are vivid, and it’s easily one of the better times to go. The way the trail is built into the ravine gives you a real look at Toronto’s ravine system, and how much it shapes where you can actually ride here.
It’s a good trail to build some confidence on. And when you want more, the Lower Don and Upper Don trails pick up right from here, so you can keep riding as far as you feel like going.
The Beltline Trail is the last one on this list, and there’s one thing worth knowing before you go: ride it from west to east. The trail slopes gently downhill in that direction, so you’ll be cruising the whole way instead of grinding uphill. It’s about 9 km, straight and wide for most of it, with Bike Share stations near the entrance and along the trail. It’s also the easiest one here to get to by TTC, with Line 5 Eglinton running close by.
This is the most city-integrated trail on the list, so there’s a bit more to pay attention to. You’ll cross a few roads along the way and travel on the road or sidewalk a handful of times. The surface gets rougher and bumpier through the middle, there’s gravel near the ravine section, and one steeper descent toward the end. It can get busy too, especially on weekends.
The Beltline is a real adventure. You ride through three distinct sections, each with its own character – the York Beltline opens things up with family-friendly park space, the Kay Gardner Beltline takes you through a forested former rail trail, and the Moore Park Ravine finishes with an open ravine that passes Evergreen Brick Works. There’s even an optional detour through a quiet cemetery along the way. It’s the most variety you’ll get out of any ride on this list, and you’re cruising through all of it.