Toronto Bike Paths: Martin Goodman Trail

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Cycling is one of the few sports that I enjoy. Though Toronto lacks the bicycle culture of the enlightened European cities, Meinhilde and I have found some great urban paths. We are excited to show you some of these trails here on Kiku Corner!

Though it isn’t always obvious for visitors to Toronto, but the southern boundaries of the city are on Lake Ontario. A dedicated bike path follows the shore for much of ol’ Hogtown. My favourite segment starts at the Princes Gates of the Canadian National Exhibition grounds at Strachan Ave and Lakeshore Blvd. After fighting our way through city traffic, the leisurely ride starts at this intersection newly refurbished for the Pan Am Games this summer. The Martin Goodman Trails begins at the towering stone inukshuk, pictured below, and heads westward along the lake.

There are a few parks for children (or adults) to play in, including one with large dinosaurs. There are also plenty of rest stops with bathrooms, water fountains, and a couple of fast food outlets. City folk flock to the parks on the weekends for exercise, barbecues, and sunbathing.

The view from Palace Pier Park, where the Martin Goodman Trail meets the Humber River.  This area is quite windy and always a few degrees cooler than the rest of the city. On hot summer days, it’s a great place to escape for some refreshing temperatures, but I always like to bring my lightweight windbreaker just in case.

The bridge over the Humber River, indicating we have reached a rest stop and time for a picnic! Our favourite picnic treats must be delicious and easy with little mess to clean up afterwards. We love a crunchy baguette, a bag of baby carrots, salami, and some cheese from Quebec. Pair this with a bottle of ice cold water and we’re in heaven.

Check out Toronto’s cycling map for bike paths and trails.