The best gravel rides around Toronto

The entirety of the Rouge National Park Trail spans just over 70 kilometres, and the Major MacKenzie Section is 6.8 kilometres, stretching from 16th Avenue to Major MacKenzie Drive East, both locations having a parking area and trailhead. The other sections include Northeast Trail, Central Trail, Monarch Trail and the Harvest Trail. This section is flat with wide open views of forests, farm land, and small waterways. The trail is made of gravel and has little shade, so come prepared with sun protection.

The Major Mackenzie Parking Lot and Road Crossing is a well-maintained parking area and access to the Rouge National Urban Park Trail. The parking lot is paved and has a safe pedestrian crossing with its own designated stop light for crossings. Just a few metres north from the Major Mackenzie Parking Lot and Road Crossing is a small scenic pond. The Rouge National Park Trail skirts the pond with a well-maintained wooden boardwalk.

This wooden pedestrian and cycle bridge spans an offshoot of Little Rouge Creek. It is a great bridge to spot some wildlife while crossing.

This trailhead is located in the small community of Altona and provides access to the northern and southern sections of the Rouge National Urban Park Trail. From here, you can head east a few steps along Uxbridge-Pickering Townline Road to connect with the trail north toward Glasgow or head south to Black Walnut Day Use Area.

Rouge National Urban Park Trail is an easy, beautiful multi-use route through one of Canada’s most diverse protected landscapes, connecting forests, wetlands, meadows, and working farmland. It’s a well-maintained path with a few boardwalks that cross creeks and pass restored natural areas, with excellent opportunities to spot birds, turtles, and other wildlife. It’s a great way to experience the unique mix of nature and active farmland that makes Rouge National Urban Park unlike any other national park.

Black Walnut Day Use Area is a hub for access to several trails in Rouge National Urban Park. There is ample free parking, washrooms, water refill stations, picnic areas, and trail information, making it a convenient place to start and end your journey. From here, you can explore trails through restored wetlands, forests, and the park’s historic agricultural landscape.

Austin Drive Park has two stormwater ponds that collect the excess rainwater that flows into the river. This reduces erosion and the amount of sediment flowing into the river during storm events. The pond is great to just sit and enjoy, especially the songbirds. You can listen to goldfinches, cardinals, and sparrows.

The Milne Dam creates the Milne Reservoir and helps protect communities downstream of the Rogue River from flooding. Originally associated with the Milne family mills established in the 1820s, this site later became home to Canada’s first concrete-and-steel arch dam, built by Archie Milne in 1911, before the current structure was rebuilt in 1969 after severe damage from Hurricane Hazel. Today, it remains a defining feature of the park and is a scenic focal point along the trail.