 |
Ed's Sk8toronto Website
WEST HUMBER RIVER (NORTH OF 401)
OVERVIEW
This path and the ones connected to it are some of the best that I have found in Toronto. From Albion Road to the turnaround loop south of the Clairville Reservoir is over 8K in one direction –without a single stop or one steep hill. The path is lightly used, fairly wide (by Toronto standards) and the asphalt quality is pretty good. The setting is a mixture of parkland, meadow and woods.
PARKING
There are plenty of access points to this long route. Check a map for the one that best suits you. Note however that it is not always easy to access the pathway from some of the major roads that pass over top of the pathway. The place I like best is not far north of the 401. Take Weston Road north from the 401 and stay to the right hand side. Turn west (left) onto Albion Road and follow around 1.5 km to a park parking lot on the left (west) side of Albion Rd. There are no washrooms here but there are some about 3k up the path.
Another great access point is from the community center on Humberwood Blvd. If you can find Humberwood Drive you won't be able to miss the community center. There are washrooms there.
THE ROUTE
The path starts from the NW corner of the parking lot and goes under Islington Ave, Kipling Ave, Martingrove Road, Highway 27, Humberwood Blvd and Finch Ave before looping just short of Hwy #427. Some sections are open meadow or parkland –other sections are fairly wooded. The path never wanders far from the Humber River and crosses the river 4 times. The pedestrian bridges are in pretty good shape but the wooden decks are a bit of a pain for skaters. There is one moderate hill and a couple of smaller ones –but nothing to worry about. When you start from Albion Rd you are working your way upstream and gaining a bit of elevation. You will also be travelling against the prevailing wind. On windy days I usually skate back 10 -15% faster than going out. It’s so much fun! The asphalt quality is a little better at the western end than the east.
There is more great skating just across the road. Check it out!
Latest Update: May/07
The map below is from the Toronto Parks and Trails Map (see section #1 West Humber). To get a hard copy of this map or to view the map in PDF format click HERE.
The dashed red line shows the Upper Humber (West Branch) as described. The dashed yellow line is the East Branch.
