Charles Sauriol Conservation Area — Attraction in Toronto

Did you know that dip in the Don Valley Parkway at Lawrence Ave E where you see the Rainbow Tunnel is actually park land that you can walk?

There is a little driveway entrance (and tiny parking lots) east of the DVP off Lawrence which is convenient but parking near Eglinton Ave E gives you a big dramatic hill to walk down to begin and end your walk. Either way, you follow the Don River and among tall trees and you can imagine you are somewhere wild for a few minutes. I actually enjoy walking along it in winter too.

You will eventually reach the Rainbow Tunnel that you see from the DVP. Now as cool as seeing the Rainbow Tunnel up close is, I found the other tunnel past the Rainbow even more of a find because you have no idea that you drive over it on the DVP! It is simple infrastructure but connects the east and west side along the DVP and the west side is a different style of park altogether with ponds instead of flowing water. Parking is available on the west side too.

NYC has The High Line but Toronto has all its ravines and trails to its credit bridging neighbourhoods and environments. Check it all out and discover a bit of magic at home!

Update May 2020: Construction is improving the access and walkability of this area with strong bridges and wide paved paths. Once completed it will be one of the best mid city nature areas for many to enjoy.

Update October 2020: C19 has encouraged many of us to enjoy time spent outdoors and the fall colours have been particularly spectacular this year.

Update October 2023: This year the colours are not as intense as in previous years, but the completion of the construction of paths and bridges south of Wynford has elevated Charles Sauriol Conservation Area to one of the city's best particularly for the...

2022 April 4★ A very nice open area of green space in the city. Mature trees and along side the Don river stream right beside it, you'll enjoy walking though this area. Several bridges cross over the river at multiple areas and it's connected to several communities providing much needed green space.

The river was once surrounded by vast tracts of forest, interspersed with wetlands meadows. But over the last 200 years, human settlement has brought hills, golf courses, housing developments, roads and rail have changed the look of the watershed. The East Don Trail runs through a relatively natural area of the Don River watershed, the Charles Sauriol Conservation Reserve. Milne Hollow at Lawrence Avenue East is the northern gateway to the conservation reserve and the north entrance to the East Don Trail. The trail connects Milne Hollow to Wyford at the south and across the river and the Don Valley Parkway to Moccasin Trail Park. With few large, undeveloped stretches of land nearby, the natural areas found in the Charles Sauriol Conservation Reserve provide good places for wildlife. Along the trail, there are a number of different types of habitat - the upland forests on the valley slopes, open meadows and young trees in Milne Hollow, and a wetland near the CP Rail The diversity of habitats means you may many kinds of wildlife on your visit, such as deer, beaver, fox, hawks, and many species of migratory birds.

Free Limited Parking is available at certain areas around...

The conservation area,named after Charles Sauriol, a famous conservationist, starts at Lawrence Ave and travels southward along the river until GO bridge where the official trails ends winding up the steep hill to Wynford Heights. From the South end at the intersection of Don Mills road and the DVP the conservation area travels north up the river and under the DVP until the single lane trails meet the southern GO train bridge. In between lies the 5km river. The park is small but interesting and merges with the Mocassin Trail Park. Popular with the locals.

PROS -1. good for Hiking & Walking. Lots of mature trees and shade areas. CONS- Cycling is off-road, and uneven surface. To go from the Forks to Wynford is challenging - unmarked paths, private properties, railway tracks, and the river itself. Part of the trail is closed for renovations. It has been like that in various spots for a...