A ravine trail system running through east Scarborough — entirely different in character from the Humber or Don Valley trails. The Highland Creek cuts through ancient forest, past old stone bridges, and through deeply wooded ravines that feel completely remote. The Colonel Danforth Trail section is the most scenic.
Neighbourhood: Scarborough · Address: Colonel Danforth Park, Scarborough, ON · Hours: Daily dawn to dusk · Price Range: Free · Editorial status: Not yet verified
Highland Creek Trail feels surprisingly wild for Toronto, cutting through deep ravines and shaded forests that block out the city completely. It's a great spot for anyone craving a quiet, uncrowded walk or run along the water.
Unlike the busier Don or Humber trails, Highland Creek is much less trafficked and has stretches that feel almost untouched. The Colonel Danforth section features steep valleys, old stone bridges, and winding boardwalks—more rugged than most Toronto ravine walks. It's also one of the only trails in the city where you can walk for over an hour without crossing roads or seeing many people.
If you’re in Toronto between June and October and want a day that feels completely different from the city, head out to the Ontario Greenbelt farms. You’re not going to one single attraction here — it’s more like a whole ring of working farms around the GTA, stretching through Halton, Peel, York, and Durham. And the fun is that the calendar changes everything. In June, people are out in the fields filling baskets with strawberries, in August it’s peaches and corn, then apples take over in September, and by October everyone’s hauling pumpkins into their trunk and trying not to get mud on their shoes. What I like about these farms is that they’re actually useful as a day trip. You’re not just looking at stuff. You show up, check what’s in season, maybe grab a cardboard basket or little wagon, and head into the field. Kids usually go wild for it because they can actually pick things themselves, and adults get into it fast once they taste the difference. Fresh Ontario strawberries picked that morning really do ruin grocery store berries for you. They’re smaller sometimes, a little uneven, and way sweeter. Same with peaches when they’re good — you’ll smell them before you even bite in. Most farms also have a market, and honestly that’s half the reason to go. You’ll find fresh corn, tomatoes, jams, pies, cider, baked goods, maybe local honey or preserves, depending on the place. Some lean simple and practical, more like a roadside stand with a cash desk and bins of produce. Others go bigger with hayrides, corn mazes, play areas, sunflower patches, or a bakery line that somehow snakes out the door by noon. If you’re a foodie, it’s a great way to buy ingredients you’ll actually be excited to cook with later. If you’re with family, it’s easy entertainment that doesn’t feel manufactured. A few practical things: check the farm’s website or social before you go, because crop availability changes fast and some pick-your-own spots sell out for the day. Weekend mornings are your best bet if you want the nicest produce and slightly less chaos in the parking lot. Wear shoes you don’t mind getting dusty or muddy, bring water, and don’t expect every place to be tap-friendly or perfectly stroller-friendly. Some farms take cards, some are smoother with cash, and many charge by weight, so it’s easy to get carried away when everything looks good. Also, don’t try to cram too much into one day. Pick one region and make a relaxed outing of it. Maybe a farm in Stouffville or Markham if you’re heading east, Caledon if you want rolling countryside, or Milton way if you’re westbound. The drive out is part of the appeal. Within an hour, Toronto gives way to roadside stands, fields, and barns, and suddenly your Saturday feels slower. Then you come back with sun on your face, dirt on your jeans, and way too many apples. That’s kind of the point.
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