Crothers Woods in Toronto offers the best of both worlds for city dwellers and nature lovers. This conveniently located woodland preserve is close to urban comfort and yet remains a beautiful wilderness. Lace-up your walking shoes and enjoy the Crothers Woods trails during your next visit to the city.
Crothers Woods is one of the few undisturbed areas of the city with an abundance of plants, trees, and other greenery. Located within the suburb of East York in Toronto, you can often see the local wildlife during your walk including deer, butterflies, and a thriving bird population. Offering a different experience in all four seasons, the trails in Crothers Woods are worth the exploration.
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) designated Crothers Woods as an Environmentally Significant Area in 1995. The scenic woods allow travellers to leave industrialization and modernity behind and provide city dwellers with a quick metropolitan respite among the pristine foliage that has taken root in the woods over the course of 100 years.
Where is Crothers Woods Toronto?
Crothers Woods rests in Toronto’s Lower Don Valley and encompasses 52 hectares of an undisturbed wooded area. The Don River crosses the lower southeast side of the woodlands. Not only is this a popular trail for hikers, but mountain bikers can also often be found on the serpentine trails of Crothers Woods.
How to get to Crothers Woods by car
Drivers can take the Don Valley Parkway to the Don Mills South exit, turn right on O’Conner Drive, and then right again on Donlands Avenue. From there, continue to Millwood Road, turn left on Redway Road and search for parking near the grocery store Loblaws.
How to get there by public transit
On the TTC, take the 56 Leaside or 88 South Leaside bus and get off near Redway Road, then walk to the trailhead near the Loblaws.
What to See at Crothers Woods
Visitors can discover many things about Toronto’s cultural and natural heritage by taking a self-guided tour through Crothers Woods grounds. There are 25 reported bird species that inhabit the woods along with butterflies, deer, herons, muskrats, and rabbits. Within the forest, you will also find a mix of maple trees, red sumacs, red oak trees, and more. It’s an enchanting location if you are visiting Toronto.
Attractions Nearby
Crothers Woods is only a 15-minute car ride west is the community of East York that is primarily residential. Both the Ontario Science Centre and the Aga Khan Museum are nearby by car.
Nature enthusiasts will also enjoy visiting Evergreen Brickworks that has trails, on-site cafe and hosts a weekly farmer’s market. Other nearby hiking trails can be found through Taylor Creek Park and ET Seaton Park.
