10 TIPS for making the most of your walk around Don Mills Trail

I always check if there’s a new café near a Toronto walk I’m about to take. It connects me to my traveller’s mindset, which adds to the fun of exploring!

While preparing to rediscover Wilket Creek and Toronto Botanical Garden, I came across one! And on my way there, I stumbled upon the surprising Don Mills Trail, which I instantly added to the eclectic 8 km loop I describe here.

This paved trail is lined with tall trees forming a leafy canopy for 3 km.

As of October 19, many trees were still green. It should be even more beautiful over the next couple of weeks!

10 Tips to Make the Most of this Toronto Walk

1. Café Brûlée near Don Mills Trail

Open only three months in a new development, Café Brûlée (52 Scarsdale Rd) is a delightful find (even more so from December to Spring when the botanical garden’s café is closed!). During our visit, we enjoyed an excellent blueberry muffin with our cappuccino. The bakery selection seems to change daily, judging by their Facebook page, but you can always order a breakfast sandwich. Open Monday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m.

2. Bond Park for free parking

Just two minutes away by car, Bond Park can be spotted through the opening of an old viaduct. I was thrilled to discover it offers plenty of free parking. And chose to make it the starting point of our walk.

Those who prefer to park near the Toronto Botanical Garden (TBG) can try the streets north of Lawrence Ave E. There’s also a large parking lot at Wilket Creek Park, about 100 m from the trail.

3. The hidden urban gem Don Mills Trail

Accessible near the viaduct, the Don Mills Trail was built on a former railway line (the Leaside Spur). CN once used the track along Don Mills Rd to Eglinton Ave to exchange freight cars with CP Rail.

This paved trail is lined with tall trees forming a leafy canopy for 3 km. Roundabouts mark the trail’s intersections with local streets, some of them with trail track embedded, as a nod to its past.

At the trail’s cul-de-sac, take the narrow path to the right, along a vacant lot, to reach Leslie St. Cross the pedestrian walkway.

4. Urban Ravine hidden in plain sight

Continuing toward Eglinton brings you to the Wilket Creek Park entrance.But ravine lovers with sturdy walking shoes (or hiking poles) should check out the grassy trail behind the bus shelter on the west side of Leslie St. It leads to a narrow, short path with a lovely view of the ravine through the trees. Following it leftward, it runs along the cliff edge (not recommended with young children).

Note: if your knees are sensitive, there’s a steep section in the second half. This dirt trail also takes you toward the park’s entrance.

5. Year-Round Washrooms by Wilket Creek Trail

The washrooms at the entrance to Wilket Creek Trail, some 500 m from Leslie St, keeping right on the park road, are open year-round from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (until 10 p.m. from May to October).

There are also year-round washrooms (except on public holidays) inside the Toronto Botanical Garden Visitor Centre.

6. Wilket Creek Trail combo with Edwards Gardens

A 1.7 km wide paved path follows the Wilket Creek upstream to Edward Gardens, home of the Toronto Botanical Garden. Picturesque pedestrian bridges add to the bucolic charm. In fall, the colourful leaves reflect beautifully in the creek—a photographer’s dream!

7. Toronto Botanical Garden (TBG) hosted in Edwards Gardens

The Wilket Creek Trail connects to the manicured paths of Edward Gardens. Since my planned walk already covered 8 kms, I did not stroll around the gardens. (ALTERNATIVE: If you want to explore them, I suggest you skip Wilket Creek, leaving the Don Mills Trail at Lawrence Ave E to get to the TBG. Then returning to Bond Park. It would bring the loop down under 4 kms.)

Inside the elegant TBG Visitor Centre, you’ll find a map and flyers listing current events: workshops, guided walks, talks, and performances. Note that parking on the premises now costs $4 per hour, but it’s free for members.

8. Café Dandelion managed by Toronto Botanical Garden

The charming TBG café offers both indoor seating and a patio. They serve coffee, gourmet sandwiches, and sweet treats. Closed from December through spring. In October, open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. minimum; in November, open weekends only.

9. The excellent Toronto Botanical Garden gift shop

Definitely worth a stop! During our visit, among a crowd of botanical-themed items, I found adorable mini plant stakes, embroidery kits featuring cute animals, and whimsical paper flower bouquets. Open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

10. Holiday EcoMarket in November at the TBG

The next free TBG event to watch for is the Holiday EcoMarket, happening Nov 21–23 and Nov 28–30 (Fridays 2–6 p.m.; weekends 10 a.m.–4 p.m.). It promises cozy campfires with blankets, food trucks, performances, and activities. Exhibitors will differ each weekend! (Note to self: visit twice.)

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