Many of High Park’s 400 acres were donated by George Howard, Toronto’s first
formally trained architect, in 1873. Well-maintained walking paths connect
manicured gardens on the west side to forest land on the east side. A highlight of
the park is Grenadier Pond, supposedly named for British soldiers who fell through
its ice rushing to defend the city from American attack in the War of 1812. High
Park, at Bloor Street West and Parkside Drive also sports 24-hour off-leash areas at
Dog Hill northeast of the Grenadier Restaurant and west of the Dream Site.
Nearby, Bronte Creek Provincial Park, 20 minutes to the south, serves up some
pleasant trails to hike with your dog. Although this wide stream travels 32 miles
to the mouth of Lake Ontario, it was known as Twelve Mile Creek by settlers who
came to operate mills along its many rapids and waterfalls.
The village of Bronte, named for the large estate granted Admiral Lord Horatio
Nelson for his naval victory in the Battle of Trafalgar, grew up on the stream and
became a major port for shipping wheat in the mid 1800s. The creek took the same
name in the 1930s.
Much of the lands here devoted to agriculture have reverted back to deciduous
forests that provide a quiet, pastoral backdrop to canine hiking in Bronte Creek. A
selection of short trails explore the best example of prairie vegetation in greater
Toronto.
Canine hikers will want to head first to the Leash Free Path to let your dog run
through tall grass for nearly a mile. All the hiking is non-strenuous on the valley
rims along Bronte Creek and the only trail that is not barrier-free is the stacked loop
Half Moon Valley Trail. Staircases smooth out any steep segments 80 feet above the
busy waters.
The longest trail in the park – still not two miles long – is the Ravine Trail. Here a
dark coniferous forest guards overlooks of the Bronte Creek ravine. Make your way
down to the stream for playful canine aquatics.
To find Bronte Creek Provincial Park from the Q.E.W. take Exit 109, Burloak Drive
and turn right. The Day Use Area will be on the right hand side.
copyright 2006
Doug Gelbert is the author of over 20 books, including The Canine Hiker’s Bible.
To subscribe to his FREE Newsletter on hiking with your dog and receive a copy
of Rules for Dogs in 100 of the Most Popular National Park Service Lands, visit
http://www.hikewithyourdog.com. In the warmer months he leads canine hikes
for hikewithyourdog.com tours, guiding packs of dogs and humans on hiking
adventures. Tours, ranging from one-day trips to multi-day explorations, visit
parks, historical sites and beaches.