Doris McCarthy Trail — Attraction in Toronto

Walking: approx 1 hour there from The Guild Inn & 1 hour back via the lake trail. Get there by parking at The Guild Inn, walking down to the lake. Turn W, (right) & follow the path to the sculpture called "The Passage".

Doris McCarthy Trail or Gates Gully is a pathway down (Gates Gully @) Ravine Drive, off Kingston Road to Lake Ontario along the Bellamy Ravine Creek that flows through the ravine. It is also called Gates Gully because the Gates Inn and Tavern by Jonathan Gates once stood east of Bellamy Road. The inn was a rallying point for the Scarborough militia preparing to defend Toronto from William Lyon Mackenzie’s rebels in the Upper Canada Rebellion.

The trail is named after the well-known Calgary-born artist Doris Jean McCarthy, (1910-2010), best known for her landscape painting, who lived in the Scarborough Bluffs area. A sculpture, ("The Passage"), that pays homage to the artist is located at the base of the trail — the point where the Doris McCarthy Trail meets the Lakeshore Trail.

The sculpture, called "Passage" is a wonderful contrast to the flat horizon...

Great place for walking and biking. I had no plan to go here but while I was walking in the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail down from Guild Parks and Gardens, I met a fellow who was walking with his dog and heading to the west of the trail. We had conversation and he suggested to walk until Doris McCarthy Trail and follow the trail with steep slope to reach the main road. I was amazed walking in the trail with a little nervousness because only few walks. Seems like I was in the middle of the forest with cement road 😅 and on the side is a creek. I saw 2 bluejays flying around. With my curiosity, I followed a path trying to reach the Sylvan Park and I did it. But went back to the McCarthy Trail. I love the trail. Gonna go back here again...

At the beginning of the trail you will go downhill, it’s about 800 meters, after that the trail is flat, the day I went it was very humid and foggy, that made the hiking somehow difficult because of the heat. We did around 8 km. There are few spots that you can come close to the water, no swimming options. Also remember to save some energy to your way back because you have to go uphill, and after a walk it could be a little challenging. Afterwards I enjoy the...