Toronto's western ravine corridor — the Humber River Trail follows the river from Lake Ontario north through Old Mill, Humber Valley, and beyond. The stretch from the Humber Bay Arch Bridge to Old Mill Station (8km) passes under century-old stone bridges with the river below. One of the city's most beautiful trail corridors.
Neighbourhood: Etobicoke / Humber Valley · Address: Humber Bay Arch Bridge to Old Mill (access from Lakeshore Blvd W), Toronto, ON · Hours: Always open
Why Visit
The Humber River Trail offers a long, uninterrupted corridor of greenery and river views that feels surprisingly wild for Toronto. It's an ideal escape for cyclists or runners craving varied terrain, with easy access from the subway.
What Makes It Unique
Unlike Toronto’s waterfront or Don Valley trails, the Humber hugs the river along century-old bridges and passes by historical remnants like the Old Mill, making each section visually distinct. The autumn foliage here is unmatched, drawing photographers and nature-watchers who want a break from busier city parks.
The Humber River Trail is Toronto's most extensive valley trail system — a 40-kilometre route following the Humber River from Lake Ontario in the south through the Humber Valley ravine, past the Old Mill historic area, through Etobicoke's ravine parks, and north toward the Oak Ridges Moraine, providing one of the longest continuous natural trail experiences accessible within the GTA's urban fabric. The trail connects a series of distinct landscapes — the lake's edge, the tidal wetlands of the lower Humber, the mature forest of the mid-valley, and the open meadow sections further north — in a single route that changes character every few kilometres.
The lower Humber section between Lake Ontario and Old Mill is the most used and most scenically dramatic portion of the trail. The Humber floodplain here is wide, the forest mature, and the transition from the urban edge at Lake Shore Boulevard to genuine ravine wilderness happens within a few minutes of walking. The Old Mill area — where the historic grist mill ruins sit alongside the Humber River bridge that provides access from the Old Mill subway station — is the most photographed section and the natural starting point for most trail users coming from transit.
The mid-Humber section through Etobicoke's ravine parks provides the longest continuous natural experience — multiple kilometres of trail with minimal road crossings, mature forest canopy, the river audible and visible alongside the path, and the wildlife that a protected river valley supports: herons fishing in the shallows, beavers and their dam structures in the backwater areas, and during migration, a concentration of woodland birds that makes the valley one of the GTA's better birding destinations.
The trail's connection to the regional trail network — it links to the Waterfront Trail at the southern end and connects through city parks to the regional Bruce Trail extensions at the north — means the Humber Trail is both a destination in itself and a connector for longer touring routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Humber River Trail?
The full Humber River Trail runs approximately 40 kilometres from Lake Ontario to the city's northern boundary. Most casual users walk or cycle a section — the 5-kilometre section between Lake Shore Boulevard and Old Mill is the most popular, and the section through Etobicoke ravine parks adds another 10–15 km of good trail beyond that.
How do I access the Humber River Trail by transit?
Old Mill station on Line 2 is the most convenient transit access point for the middle section of the trail, with the historic bridge and Old Mill ruins immediately adjacent. The trail's southern end at Lake Ontario is accessible from Long Branch or Mimico GO stations on the Lakeshore West line.
Is the Humber River Trail good for cycling?
Yes — the trail is multi-use and well-suited to cycling on most sections. The lower Humber near the lake has some boardwalk sections that require walking; the main valley trail through the mid-section is smooth gravel and asphalt suitable for road bikes and hybrids.
What wildlife can I see on the Humber River Trail?
Great blue herons, belted kingfishers, and various waterfowl are common along the river. Beavers have established several active lodges and dams visible from the trail. During spring and fall migration, the wooded valley sections concentrate woodland warblers, thrushes, and other migrant species that make the Humber one of the GTA's best birding spots.