There is no better way to connect to the Greenbelt than having an adventure there. TEA gives you all the tips you need to embark on a public transit or car journey to one of these Greenbelt destinations.
Niagara Falls
Interested in taking a trip to see North America’s most powerful waterfall?
Transit: You can get to Niagara in two hours from Toronto’s Union Station by hopping on a weekend, seasonal GO Train. During the week, take the Lakeshore West GO Train to Burlington and connect to a bus that will deliver you right into Niagara (only 25 minutes longer than a train straight there!) Hint: Take your bike on the GO Transit to cycle around the falls and surrounding country.
Car: Leaving from the downtown core, take a scenic journey along the waterfront on the Gardiner-QEW expressway.
Website: http://www.niagarafallstourism.com
Holland Marsh
Where do the vegetables on your dinner plate really come from? It is estimated that between growing vegetables, packaging, processing and transportation, the Holland Marsh has an economic impact of over $1 billion each year. The Holland Marsh has farmers' markets to grab essentials for dinner, wineries to taste at, and towns to walk through.
Transit: Difficult
Car: Take the 400 north, taking any exit in King City.
Website: http://www.hollandmarshgold.com/about-us.html
Durham Region
There’s plenty to do and see in Durham region. Just north of Markham, Stouffville offers many hiking and recreation trails, wineries and charming town centres to explore. Heading to Durham with kids? Take the York-Durham Heritage Railway which twists and turns through scenic natural landscapes from Stouffville to Uxbridge.
Transit: During peak times you can take a GO Train straight to Stouffville! Otherwise, take the connecting 70 bus from the Linconville GO Station to get up to Durham.
Car: Head North on the 404, exiting Eastbound on Witchurch-Stouffville Road.
Website: http://www.ydhr.ca/index.php
Northumberland County
Hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, horseback riding. No matter how you connect to nature, you can do it here, in the Oak Ridges Hiking Trails of Northumberland Forest.
Transit: Difficult
Car: Taking the 401 East out of the City, exit in Couburg at exit 474 and drive North along Baltimore Road to get to Rice Lake
Website: http://www.northumberlandtourism.com/en/index.asp
Niagara Escarpment and the Bruce Trail
The Niagara Escarpment is a ridge of sedimentary rock, comprising 480,747 acres from Queenston, Niagara Falls to Tobermory. The escarpment began to form 450 million years ago as the outer edges of a non-existent shallow sea called the Michigan Basin. The Bruce Trail, a footpath 885 km in length, was created in 1967 to preserve greenspace along the Niagara Escarpment. You can enjoy the Niagara Escarpment by joining the Bruce Trail at hundreds of access points. Some highlights along the trail include, Crawford Lake, Rattlesnake Point, Mount Nemo and Tiffany Falls.
Transit: Traditional transit options may be limiting to access the Bruce Trail. Don’t worry, you can take a day trip or overnight with Parkbus (https://www.parkbus.ca) and join the Trail at Rattlesnake Point, Bruce Penninsula or Tobermory!
Car: The Bruce Trail has access points all over Ontario, mostly accessible by car!
Website: Find detailed recreation guides on Niagara Escarpment features: http://www.greenbelt.ca/walks Find access to maps, camping options and trail safety tips: http://brucetrail.org/pages/trail
Cobourg & Cobourg Beach
There are many things to do and see in historic Cobourg. Located an hour East of Toronto along the shores of Lake Ontario, you can relax on the beach, explore vintage shops and sample from two local craft breweries (William Street Bar Company and Northumberland Hills Brewery). There are plenty of B&B’s, inns and camping options in the area.
Transit: VIA Rail Canada will take you right into the city centre of Cobourg in a little more than an hour.
Car: Taking the 401 East, take exit 472 to Northumberland County Road 18 South towards the town centre
Website: http://www.cobourgtourism.ca/index.html
Wine Tour in Niagara
Want to experience Niagara’s wine country but have no vehicle? No problem! Wine Tours Toronto leave almost every day from Toronto, Oakville and Burlington and lead tours of Greenbelt wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Beamsville Bench, Vineland, Lincoln and Jordan.
Transit: Buses can be coordinated to pick you up at pickup points throughout Toronto
Website: http://www.winetourstoronto.com
Toronto Adventures
Many unique winter activities such as dogsledding and snowshoeing are offered by Toronto Adventures.
Transit: Toronto Adventures has 2 TTC pick up locations at Keele Station and York Mills Station.
Website: http://torontoadventures.ca
Winter Hike
Explore the Greenbelt in the winter and take a serene hike.
Hike all over the Greenbelt- Bruce Trail, Oak Ridges Moraine Trail, Ganaraska Trails, and many more.
Website: http://www.greenbelt.ca/walks
Hiking, Biking, Camping or Canoeing without a Car?
ParkBus and Toronto Adventures offer trips by bus to great Greenbelt destinations, for an overnight trip or for day trips. Be sure to take a look at their websites and subscribe to their newsletters to get updates on upcoming trips and events.
The new Greenbelt bike route is signed and mapped for cyclists, with connecting trails linking the waterfront trail to the new Greenbelt Route. The route spans 475 km across rural towns and working farms of Ontario. It also includes an (almost complete) cycling route through Toronto, connecting us to the Greenbelt. Check out the interactive Greenbelt Route Map with information on the trail, natural features, cultural attractions, amenities and food in the area.
Winter Tips
- Remember to bundle up. Exposed skin can get frostburnt in only -10°C if outside for long periods of time. Be sure to dress in layers, have a hat, gloves, scarf, and warm boots.
- Have some flexibility in your plans. Often winter weather can cause delays for travelling so take that into account when planning your trip.
- There are many ways to get to any of the locations above but if you are driving, take the weather into account. If visibility is low, be sure to slow down and be aware of your surroundings.
- Always be prepared and have an emergency supply kit in your vehicle. For more information on what to have in your emergency supply kit visit: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/ontario-511
- Be safe and have fun! Even if the weather may be grim, it doesn’t mean you still can’t have fun and go exploring the Greenbelt.