GO Toronto Walk

Hiker

Thursday, May 24, 2018 (rain date May 31, 2018) - Toronto High Park & Waterfront. Level 2. Pace: 3-4 km/h. 19 km
Leaders: Jamie & Jan. Depart at 6:47 a.m. from the Kitchener VIA/GO train station near the intersection of Victoria Street North & Weber Street West (43.455739, -80.492852). Once in Toronto we enter High Park at the north end. We follow park trails for about 7 km ending up at the south end at The Queensway. Crossing over to Lake Ontario we walk various lakefront paths eastward for about 11 km. The sequence of paths is Lakeshore Boulevard Parklands, Budapest Park, Argonaut Rowing Club, Marilyn Bell Park, Ontario Place, Trillium Park, The Toronto Inukshuk Park, Little Norway Park, Ireland Park, along the Queens Quay, Waterfront Trail, Martin Goodman Trail, to the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. There will be some slightly longer visits to spots like the new and impressive Trillium Park (a small provincial park adjacent to Ontario Place). Once we reach Bay Street (Ferry Terminal), we proceed north on Bay Street for about 1 km to Union Station (65 Front St W, Toronto or 43.645607, -79.380749) where we board the Kitchener Line of the GO train back to Kitchener. Read the important details below. Check here for any last-minute changes.

DOWNLOAD AS PDF > "Important Information and Check List"

Below: Highlights of the Arrival sculptures by Rowan Gillespie in Ireland Park, Toronto, Canada

The Migrants, Rowan Gillespie The Pregnant Woman

Our Approximate Route

View Larger Map

 

Important Information and Check List

DOWNLOAD AS PDF > "Important Information and Check List"

01) GO Train Cost - Currently the seniors rate (65+) for single ride is $8.85 & a day pass is $17.70. Buying a day pass in Kitchener saves time buying a ticket at Union Station later that day. Fee for non-senior adults is double.
02) Kitchener to Toronto GO Train - We will take the 6:47 a.m. GO train at the Kitchener GO Station. Be well ahead of the departure time to allow for the purchase of a ticket(s).
03) It is imperative that we all board the same GO Train in Kitchener (6:47 a.m.) and preferably the same train car.
04) We get off the train at the GO Bloor Station1 (not Union Station). The GO Bloor Station is one stop before Union Station.
05) From the Bloor Station we walk to the north entrance of High Park, about 1 km west along Bloor Street. Along the way Jan and I enjoyed a snack at the Outpost Coffee Roasters (43.656010, -79.454013) so this may be a brief stop if time permits & the shop isn’t too busy.
06) Participants are encouraged to form pairs or triplets. Doing so will help especially when accessing the GO train back to Kitchener at Union Station at the end of the day.
07) We suggest you have a friend or family member drop you off at the Kitchener GO station, so no cars need to be parked at or near the station for the day. Also, arrange to have someone pick you up that evening.
08) There may be opportunities to purchase a few food/drink items as we proceed but it is best to bring most of what you need for the day. We cannot guarantee that you will be able to buy food along the way.
09) Depending on the weather forecast come well prepared. Be sure to have your day pack, water (lots), several snacks (e.g. apples), food for lunch & supper, sunscreen, hat, medication, change of socks and so on.
10) You will need a credit card to buy a ticket(s) for the GO Train.
11) Bring a charged cell phone, camera, cash, credit cards, photo ID, & your Ontario health card.
12) The GO Train from Union Station is very crowded & standing room only is often the case until after Brampton or Mt Pleasant.
13) The GO train schedule for returning to Kitchener appears below. When we arrive at Union Station will determine which train you take back to Kitchener.
14) Rain Date: If the weather forecast for 2018MAY24 is not conducive for an all-day outing like this one, we will postpone the trip & go 2018MAY31.

GO Train Return Times
1 Bloor GO Station is a railway station on GO Transit's Kitchener line and Union Pearson Express rail services, located in Toronto, on Bloor St. east of Dundas St. West. Located at approximately 43.658028, -79.450892.
The GO Train Schedule [Kitchener Line ] shown here, for returning to Kitchener from Union Station, Toronto is based on published data dated 2018APR05; no data is available for May or June 2018 at this time so there may be time & fee changes.

DOWNLOAD AS PDF > "Important Information and Check List"