When the High Park cherry blossoms peak, where to stand for the best photos, how to beat the crowds, and what else to do in the park while you're there.
Every April, Toronto loses its mind over cherry blossoms. And fairly — High Park's sakura trees are legitimately spectacular. About 1,500 trees, mostly Somei-Yoshino and Kwanzan varieties, burst into bloom in a window that lasts about 7–10 days. The trick is catching them at peak.
The frustrating honest answer: it depends on the year. In warm years, peak bloom hits the last week of April. In cold springs, you're waiting until the first week of May. The City of Toronto parks department now publishes an annual bloom forecast — check @HighParkTO on Instagram starting in early April.
Bloom tracking trick Watch the High Park website and the city's parks Twitter. The trees typically take about 5 days from first colour to full bloom. Once you see 'colour appearing' in the forecast, you have about a week to plan your visit.
The main cherry blossom grove is along Hillside Gardens Drive, just south of Grenadier Restaurant. The concentration here is the highest and most photogenic. Sakura Ave (yes, there's a literal Sakura Ave in the park) also has beautiful clusters. The western slope near the parking areas has older, larger trees with more dramatic canopies.
High Park is 161 hectares — there's a lot more here than just the sakura. While you're there: walk down to Grenadier Pond (especially beautiful with blossom reflections), visit the High Park Zoo (free, has bison and peacocks), walk the Woodland Garden, or just sit on the hill above the grove and watch the city collectively lose it over spring.
Spring Festivals Guide → — Plan your full spring visit to Toronto
Photo Spots Guide → — See all Toronto's top photo spots
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