Glen Steward Ravine boardwalk path and stairs in the fall.

Discover Glen Stewart Ravine: A Peaceful Hike in Toronto

ByJulie Millan Updated on

If you’re craving a peaceful escape in Toronto, Glen Stewart Ravine is the perfect spot. Tucked away in the Beaches neighbourhood, this short hiking trail offers a quiet retreat in Toronto’s east end.

This small, picturesque ravine is one of my favourite photo spots in Toronto. I love walking through the ravine with my family on my way down to Queen Street or Woodbine Beach. 

It is one of the prettiest spots in the city. Whether you’re out for a run, a stroll, or just looking to snap some photos, Glen Stewart Ravine is a place you’ll want to visit again and again.

Man walking his dog along the boardwalk path in the Glen Stewart Ravine Toronto.
Stairs leading up through the Glen Stewart Ravine in Toronto, Ontario on a fall day.

Glen Stewart Ravine Highlights

  • One-kilometre walking trail in the east end of the city
  • One of the best places to see the fall foliage in Toronto
  • Boardwalk trail through a protected forest
  • Walking distance to Queen Street East and Kingston Road in the Beaches neighbourhood
  • Easily accessible by TTC
Stairs covered in snow with bright blue skies leading down into the Glen Stewart Ravine Toronto in the Winter.

Is Glen Stewart Ravine Worth Visiting?

Absolutely!

Although it’s a relatively short walk, Glen Stewart Ravine offers a peaceful escape within the city. The ravine is open year-round, and it’s beautiful no matter the season. I personally love visiting in the autumn when the leaves turn vibrant shades of red and orange.

 In the spring, you might even spot rare Ontario Trilliums blooming along the trail. Ames Creek also flows through the ravine, making it a popular place for children to explore.

The raised boardwalk trail within the ravine not only makes for an easy walk but also helps protect the fragile wetland ecosystem. 

It’s a favourite spot for both runners and walkers, and the trail takes about 30 minutes one way. Just keep in mind that some entrances have a lot of stairs, so if stairs are an issue, you’ll want to plan your route accordingly.

Visiting Glen Stewart Ravine in the Fall

Boardwalk path and stairs with views of the Glen Stewart Raving fall foliage.

Many people discover Glen Stewart Ravine while searching for the best spots in Toronto to see fall foliage—and it doesn’t disappoint. Autumn transforms the ravine into a vibrant display of colour. 

The boardwalk’s leading lines and long staircases are also a photographer’s dream. The mix of red, orange, and yellow leaves creates a stunning backdrop for a peaceful walk or those Instagram photos.

After your walk through the ravine, I recommend continuing down to the Beaches Boardwalk. The 3.5 kilometre wooden boardwalk stretches along Woodbine Beach, and if you love fall colours, a stroll here is just as rewarding.

This image showcases a picturesque fall scene in Glen Stewart Ravine, Toronto. A dirt trail winds through a forest filled with tall trees, their leaves in shades of yellow, orange, red, and green, signaling the autumn season. A rustic wooden fence lines the path, while bright blue skies peek through the tree canopy, creating a peaceful and vibrant natural setting.

Glen Stewart Ravine Parking

While there is no parking lot at the ravine, there is plenty of parking available on the residential streets. Parking on residential streets in Toronto is free but limited to three hours, unless otherwise marked.

You can park on Glen Manor Drive near the south entrance, on Balsam Avenue for the Balsam entrance, or on Kingston Rd. for the north entrance.

Entrance to Glen Stewart Ravine on Glen Manor Drive with parking available on residential street.
Residential parking is available at the entrance to Glen Stewart Ravine on Glen Manor Drive.

Glen Stewart Ravine Directions

  • Address: 351 Glen Manor Dr, Toronto, ON M4E 2X8
  • Location: Between Glen Manor Drive and Kingston Rd. in the Beaches neighbourhood.
  • Main Entrances:
    • Kingston Road entrance: Between Glen Manor Drive and Beech Avenue.
    • South entrance: Off Glen Manor Drive East, north of the Glen Manor bridge.
Entrance to Glen Stewart Ravine off of Glen Manor Drive in Toronto in winter.
Glen Manor Drive entrance to the ravine.

Taking the TTC to the Glen Stewart Ravine

From Queen Street:

  • Take the 501 streetcar or bus to Glen Manor Drive.
  • Walk north along Glen Manor Drive or through Ivan Forrest Gardens
  • Continue along Glen Manor Drive East (east side of the park) for 10 minutes to reach the ravine entrance just north Glen Manor Bridge.
People sitting on a park bench in front of spring flowers at Glen Ivan Forrest Park in Toronto.
Glen Ivan Forrest Park is located near Glen Stewart Ravine

From Kingston Road:

  • Take the 502 streetcar or 302 bus.
  • Get off at Glen Manor Drive or Beech Avenue
  • Walk 2 minutes to the entrance on Kingston Rd.

How long is the Glen Stewart Ravine Trail?

Glen Stewart Ravine trail is less than one kilometre long and takes less than 30 minutes to walk from one end to the other. The raised boardwalk trail within the ravine not only makes for an easy walk but also helps protect the fragile wetland ecosystem.

Of course, if you take some time to stop and admire the beauty of the ravine, you could easily spend an hour wandering the trail.

At the north end of the trail, closer to Kingston Road, the elevation is quite steep. Here you will find a staircase that will take you (or out) of the trail.

If you choose to enter or exit the ravine from Balsam Ave, across from Balmy Beach School, there is another wooden staircase with 140 steps in total.

Trillium flowers, the official flower of Ontario, can be found throughout Glen Stewart Ravine each Spring.
Ontario’s flower, the Trillium, in Spring.

Where are the Entrances to Glen Stewart Ravine?

Glen Manor Drive Entrance:

  • Located just north of the Glen Manor Bridge at Glen Manor Park.
  • No stairs, making it accessible for strollers and bikes.

Kingston Rd. and Glen Manor Drive Entrance:

  • Located off Kingston Rd., west of Glen Manor Drive.
  • Steep descent with many stairs leading into the ravine.

Kingston Rd. and Beech Ave. Entrance:

  • Near the north end of the trail at Beech Ave. and Kingston Rd.
  • Less steep with fewer stairs, making it a slightly easier entrance.

Balsam Ave. at Balmy Beach School Entrance:

  • Across from Balmy Beach School on Balsam Ave.
  • Features 140 stairs, offering a scenic but steep entry into (or out of) the ravine.
Glen Stewart Ravine Entrance on Kingston Road with information sign at the top of the stairs.
Glen Stewart Ravine entrance off of Kingston Rd.

Does the Trail Get Busy?

It is not usually busy at the ravine. Sometimes, when the weather gets really nice or you have a sunny autumn day, you can run into a number of people strolling or running through the ravine. Lots of locals walk through here as an alternative to the residential streets.

Are Dogs Allowed in the Ravine?

Yes! Lots of visitors bring their dogs for a walk through the ravine. Dogs should be kept on a leash as the ravine is not an off-leash park, but many dog owners enjoy a wander through this beautiful path. Please remember to pick up after your pet!

Is the Glen Stewart Ravine Accessible in the Winter?

Balmy Ave. entrance to Glen Stewart Ravine in Winter.
Balsam Ave. entrance to the ravine.

The ravine is equally beautiful in the winter. The stairs and boardwalk path are not maintained, however, so they can get a little slippery with snow or ice.

While the ravine is open, visitors should walk carefully along the path and up or down the stairs.

What About Glen Stewart Park?

Glen Stewart Park is a small park located just south of the ravine. It has a beautiful pedestrian bridge that is very pretty and ideal for a walk through the neighbourhood.

If you are visiting Glen Stewart Ravine in the winter, be sure to bring your skates and toboggan. Glen Stewart Park has a small toboggan hill and a natural outdoor skating rink maintained by the community.

Glen Stewart Park is a true winter gem hidden in the heart of the Beaches neighbourhood.

Skaters and hockey players on the ice at the community rink in Glen Stewart Park on a winter day under blue skies.
Skating and playing hockey in Glen Stewart Park

Before You Go: What Else is in the Neighbourhood?

Once you have enjoyed your time in this short trail, be sure to save some time to visit this lovely Toronto neighbourhood.

There are many things to in the Beaches neighbourhood if you are in the area. Some of my favourite activities in the are include walking along the Beaches boardwalk, especially in the fall and spring.

In the summer, plan to spend the day at Woodbine Beach and have dinner at one of the many excellent patio restaurants located on Queen Street East.

The next time you have a few hours to spare, come and check out my favourite ravine trail in the east end of Toronto!

Julie is a travel blogger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She loves to travel and has learned so much from other travel bloggers that she now wants to share her travel knowledge with others.

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