Humber River - West Humber
	Gear Rating:	2	Distance:		Trail:	Paved cycle path
	Connections:	Waterfront Trail Toronto West

For information and maps on this and other bike paths or if you came by a direct link please visit the home page

Humber River - Southern Section

The Humber river trail was one of the first trails I explored once I was bored with my regular run from Mississauga to Toronto. Then, I only traveled it's most southern section. After reading books about the history associated with the river and of course, Hurricane Hazel, I ventured further north. Like the Don, there are a few side trips, such as the West Humber, and to push past the 401 up to Finch Ave.

Lakeshore - The Martin Goodman Trail

There a two ways to start your trip up the Humber from the Martin Goodman Trail. You can cross Lakeshore at the Windermere Ave lights by first crossing the parking west parking lot running between Lakeshore and bike path along Sunnyside.

The other new route is to cross to the west bank of the river over the large Humber bay pedestrian bridge and circle around the rock monument just after the bridge. That path will circle you under the pedestrian bridge and take you under the Gardner Expressway then curve up and under The Queensway.

South Humber Park

The trail runs beside the Humber sewage treatment plant before entering South Humber Park. You curve through the park and run beside the pavilion (I have never seen it open nor with water) and straight along until you exit on Stephen Dr. Head north, on road, past the plaza on the west, then turn west on Riverwood only to continue north at the next road (Humber Valley) that leads you back into Kings Mill park. Head downhill along the road and look for the path entrance that heads under the Bloor subway bridge and up to Old Mill.

Old Mill

The mill will be on your west side. I don't know about you but the modern version of the mill looks more Swiss to me than what other Ontario mills looked like. Quite a bit of fancy was used to remodel the mill into the attraction it is now. Most towns grew up beside a mill site, with often a general store or blacksmith to spend your newly traded money from the mill.

Head up to Old Mill Road, and cycle across to the east side of the river across the bridge and continue northward on the east side of the bridge.

Etienne Brule Park

Follow beside the east bank of the river as the trail winds it's way through the parks. The trail exits on Lundy Lane then turns west along Old Dundas St where the trail runs down and under the Dundas overpass then continues north where you'll cross the river on the Dundas pedestrian bridge.

If you have a VRML viewer installed and High Speed Connection, you can see a 360 degree panoramic view from the Dundas Pedestrian Bridge. First install the software (for XP) then click on the image. 

Lampton Woods

The trail goes up hill then becomes a wooded trail path. The trail turns a few times as you head into James Gardens. Pause for a water refill at the rest room stop or continue north along the river side thru Scarlet Mills park. Cycle under the overpass then continue along until you exit the path onto Eglinton Ave and Scarlet Rd intersection. Walk across Eglinton to the other side and continue along the sidewalk a short distance. The path picks up again as you enter the Ukrainian Park. The monument is a memorial to all the Ukrainians who served in the armed forces. Continue north as you head down hill, and after a short time you come to the Raymore pedestrian bridge.

Raymore Dr.

Raymore Dr. is famous because part of the road and the surrounding houses were washed away by hurricane Hazel. You can see in the river and on the east bank what's left of the original bridge. Cycle north through the park past the tennis courts and swimming pool then under the Lawrence Ave. overpass. Go past the bell in the park then stop. You can't continue north even though it seems to, instead, head uphill the steep access path that runs between the Apartment buildings. At the top, on Weston Road make a mental snap-shot of the location so you can find it on your way back. Last time I rode, It was a car dealership.

Weston Road

From here, you'll ride on Weston Rd., be careful as you head north as Weston is a busy road and you'll be turning beside St Phillips (careful crossing on southbound trips) head under the train tracks, then at the first street, I cross at the lights on Gary to the other side of Weston Rd go north a half block until FairGlen Cr. Turn downhill FairGlen as it curves then re-enter the cycle path at the bottom of FairGlen.

Albian Road

The path curves down beside the river's east bank then wanders north across to the west bank then under Hwy 401. On the other side, head up to Albian Rd, where you cross the un used end of the road to behind the Apt. buildings on the other side. Head down behind the play area then under the overpass then cross back to the east side of the Humber over the pedestrian bridge.

Summerlea Park

With the Humber Valley golf club on the west bank, continue north along the east bank as the path eventually curves past a small pond. Keep to the west (left) as you pass the pond and continue until you come to a T junction.

To the west is the Humber West trail and to the East runs the continuation of the northern portion of the Humber trail.

Humber West Trail

I picked up the Humber west trail from it's west end and cycled toward the river's bike path 'T' junction then headed downhill beside the main river, southward, to Lake Ontario. This trail description of Humber West, unlike most of my trail descriptions, heads West to East for this trip.

I cycled along Eglinton Ave. then headed up Rexdale Ave then turned east to Silver Dart and paused to watch the planes land. North up Silver Dart, then east again on Rexdale under Hwy 427 then straight up Carlingview to Woodbine racetrack. I went round the race track's outer road on the west side, along Entrance Rd. and up to the lights on Rexdale Blvd. Straight across Rexdale and up along Humberwood Blvd as it curved past the community center then just before the bridge, I headed down to join the bike path at it's Western end and headed East towards the main river.

Humberwoods Park

Just after the Humberwood bridge, the path crosses the river by a pedestrian bridge then heads southward past the sports fields of Humber College and into the Arboretum. The path runs along the southern edge of the Arboretum where I've seen people stop to pick the strawberries.

West Humber Estates - Kipling Heights

The trail crosses the twice again then heads along eastward for a distance under the overpass and then crosses once more then keeps to the south (lake ward) bank of the river then curves westward. Go under the Martin Grove bridge and as you ride along, planes fly over head as the path follows under the flight path to the airport.

The path wanders southward around West Humber Estates Ester Lorrie park then curves north , under Kipling Ave. then back south through Kipling Heights park. Eventually, you go under the Islington bridge and through the West Humber Parkland. The path then enters the parking lot across Albian Rd through the east parking lot (I lost the trail her for a bit but got back on track) then north and out through the another lot heading west across the pedestrian bridge until you come to the main river and the path's 'T' junction.

Here you can continue straight through to the northern section of the humber or head south down to lakeshore and the Martin Goodman - Waterfront trail. Hey, It's mostly down hill from here!

Don't worry if you lose the trail, I often have to back track if it the first time out, but it's a good way to explore new sections of trails when you do. I often travel with a regular road map and a trail guide just to keep me on track.

One of the first parks along the Humber is Etienne Brule named after the first european to visit the area. A man 'of little morals and a traitor to his countrymen'. His friend is quoted as saying 'he is much addicted to women', Brule lived more like the indians he traveled with, and often changed wives as he explored the area.

It is near here though, where 'Toronto' was first located. It was the southern terminus of the 30 mile indian trail that connected Lake Ontario with the Holland river, Lake Simcoe and the upper Great Lakes -- The Toronto Carrying-place. Some report that Toronto was once the name for Lake Simcoe and the trail's destination name 'Toronto', became more associated with the trail itself and later with the rough settlement at it's southern terminus about 2.5 km from the mouth of the Humber. It was the same trail that La Salle used while exploring a route to the Mississippi.

The cycle path you're on, and others around Toronto is a result of conservation and control of flood plains in the aftermath of Hurricane Hazel (October 15 1954). As you would expect, Hazel had spent most of it's energy by the time the storm was approaching Toronto and was forecasted as a routine fall storm. Unfortunately, it picked up energy as it crossed the lakes and a low pressure system just north of Toronto -- wringing out all the remaining water from the Hurricane directly over the city. The sudden flooding caused damage all over southern Ontario. River bridges collapsed and became weirs blocking the sudden rush of water, flooding and destroying whole neighborhoods.

Home

Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Trail descriptions are provided as public information only. The author assumes no responsibility for damages or injuries that may occur to person or property as a result of biking or otherwise using the trails described herein. The author also assumes no responsibility for any damages or injuries to person or property caused by any person biking or otherwise using the trails described herein. Ride at your own risk. Pictures and web site copyright 2004,2005