Toronto's great outdoor spine — the Martin Goodman Trail runs 56km along Lake Ontario from the Humber River to Scarborough Bluffs. Fully paved, largely car-free, and offering continuous lake views with the CN Tower and downtown skyline in constant rotation. Cyclists, runners, and inline skaters share one of North America's great urban recreational corridors.
Neighbourhood: Waterfront (City-wide) · Address: Access at any point along Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON · Hours: Always open
Why Visit
If you want to see Toronto in motion, this is the track. There’s no better way to string together city and lake views, all from a flat, paved trail that’s never far from the water’s edge.
What Makes It Unique
Unlike the Don or Beltline trails, the Martin Goodman coils for 56 uninterrupted kilometres along the lake, giving you skyline-and-shoreline combos the others can’t touch. The sheer length means you can tackle a city-crossing ride or just snack on a short, scenic section. Plus, city bike share docks line much of the route for easy one-way rides.
The Martin Goodman Trail is Toronto's most important cycling and multi-use pathway — a 56-kilometre route that traces the Lake Ontario waterfront from the Humber River in the west through the downtown core to Bluffer's Park in the Scarborough east, connecting the entire city's southern edge in a continuous pathway that alternates between dedicated cycling trail, boardwalk, park path, and waterfront promenade. On a clear summer weekend, it's one of the best urban cycling experiences in North America.
The western section from the Humber River to the downtown core runs through Humber Bay Park and Mimico, offering lake views and the relatively protected western harbour before the trail passes under the Gardiner Expressway and joins the downtown waterfront at Bathurst. This western approach is the least congested section on summer weekends, when the trail through Harbourfront and the Distillery District boardwalk becomes significantly busier.
The downtown section — from Bathurst through Harbourfront Centre, the Redpath waterfront, the Sugar Beach area, and east to the Distillery District and Cherry Beach — is the most visually varied part of the trail, with the CN Tower, downtown skyline, Toronto Island views, and the architectural changes of the rapidly developing eastern waterfront all visible along the route. The sections through Corktown Common park and the Don River mouth are particularly well-designed.
The eastern section from Cherry Beach through the Beaches neighbourhood to Bluffer's Park passes through the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant's Art Deco exterior — one of the most photographed industrial buildings in Canada — and the Scarborough Bluffs cliff edge views over the lake. This section is less frequently ridden by casual cyclists but provides the most dramatic natural scenery of the entire trail. Bike Share Toronto stations are distributed along the trail at regular intervals, making a one-way ride with a transit return entirely feasible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Martin Goodman Trail?
The Martin Goodman Trail runs approximately 56 kilometres from the Humber River in the west to Bluffer's Park in Scarborough. Most casual cyclists ride a section rather than the full length — the downtown waterfront section from Humber Bay Park through Harbourfront to Cherry Beach (about 20 km) is the most popular stretch.
Can I use Bike Share Toronto on the Martin Goodman Trail?
Yes — Bike Share Toronto stations are distributed along the trail, making it easy to pick up a bike near Union Station or Harbourfront and ride westward or eastward without your own bike. Return the bike at another station when done.
Is the Martin Goodman Trail open year-round?
Yes — the trail is open year-round, though winter sections may be icy and less maintained. The trail is most pleasant May through October. Winter cycling is popular among dedicated riders but requires appropriate preparation for cold temperatures and occasional icy sections.
Where is the best place to start the Martin Goodman Trail?
Harbourfront Centre (near the Queens Quay streetcar stop) is the most convenient starting point from downtown. Humber Bay Park (at Lake Shore Boulevard and Park Lawn) provides the best western starting point. Cherry Beach or Woodbine Beach are good east-end starting points.