Reading · Road Trip Ontario

Christopher here. Let’s be honest. Ontario weather is a bit of a tease. One day, we are basking in “shorts weather,” and the next, the negative temps are back with a vengeance! I’ve seen people sticking to their shorts and just hoping for the best.

Because this is a bi-weekly edition, I worried this winter-related post might feel “late.” But if you live here, you know: the first day of Spring is merely a suggestion—a gentle nudge for Mother Nature and Old Man Winter. And don’t even get me started on Wiarton Willie. 🙄

During the pandemic, Gordana and I used to feel like our downtown condo was a bit of a “glass prison.” I swear, I saw tumbleweeds blowing down the street. Winter, at times, can feel like that same prison where we just want to stay inside and ride it out.

But we stopped hiding. We explored every nook and cranny of our neighbourhood and realized that the Martin Goodman Trail here in Toronto and the Trans Canada Trails across the province are the best year-round “therapy” available. The province doesn’t close just because the mercury drops. In fact, the magic is sitting right at our doorstep.

In this edition:
👉🏾 The Winter Glow-Up: Why the Trans Canada Trail is your secret weapon for winter sanity. ❄️
👉🏾 The Waterfront 5: My absolute favourite “must-see” spots on the Martin Goodman Trail. 🌊
👉🏾 Gear Check: We’re reviewing the hiking essentials that keep you cozy when the wind-chill bites back! 🥾

Embracing the outdoors during the colder months wasn’t always high on my list, but I’ve learned that getting outside isn’t just a hobby; it’s a necessity for your well-being. We are actually thrilled to be partnering with the Trans Canada Trail for the second time to talk about this! Whether you’re on the whole Martin Goodman Trail or exploring a different section of the Trans Canada Trail (which, by the way, is the longest multi-use trail network in the world, stretching over 28,000 km!), even a short session in the cold can have a massive impact on your mental health.

Finding Calm in the Cold: There’s actually a weird silence that falls over Toronto’s waterfront in winter. The stillness of the lake creates this “natural reset” for a stressed brain, which naturally lowers those cortisol levels. It’s the perfect opportunity to reflect and recover from the daily grind. And if you’re like me, overcoming the mental hurdle of just getting out there gives you a hit of confidence that carries through the rest of your day. Gordana loves being outside, so it’s usually her dragging me away from my computer, and I’m begrudgingly glad she always does.

Boost Your Metabolism & Immunity: Exercising in the cold forces your body to work harder to maintain its core temperature, meaning, wait for it…, you actually burn more calories than a summer stroll! Plus, it comes with Immune support. Regular movement in cooler temps stimulates white blood cell production, your body’s internal soldiers. Walking the trail is basically boot camp for your system for the rest of the season.

Natural Light vs. The Winter Blues: Even when that sky looks like a flat “end of days” sheet of grey, outdoor light is still significantly more powerful than the artificial light in your office or living room. Hitting the trail signals your brain to produce serotonin, helping you push back against Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)—yes, that’s a real thing.

For us, walking 6-8 kilometres every morning, a tradition started during the pandemic, doesn’t just help our legs and our heart; it saved our sanity, and it does even more during the winter!

Harbourfront Centre: A winter playground that truly comes alive. Between the Winterfest light displays and the iconic public skating rink right on the water, it’s the heartbeat of the downtown trail.
The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery: Our favorite place to duck in, pretend to be sophisticated for a few minutes, and—most importantly—thaw out! Admission is free, and the art is always thought-provoking.
Amsterdam Brewhouse & Queen Harbour Restaurant: Any time a hiking trail leads to or includes beer, you know I’ll be a happy camper! Amsterdam is the perfect spot for a post-walk pint, while Queen Harbour offers a warm, elegant contrast to the brisk lake air for a proper meal.
Toronto Music Garden: Inspired by Bach’s First Suite for Unaccompanied Cello, this place is enchanted. In winter, the frozen marina nearby and the snowy landscape make it feel like a peaceful “natural reset” right in the middle of the city.
Coronation Park & Sugar Beach: From the festive “Holiday Lights by the Lake” at Coronation Park to the iconic yellow umbrellas at Sugar Beach looking out over a frozen harbour, these spots offer the best views of the skyline meeting the ice.

👉🏾 Is the Martin Goodman Trail Worth Visiting in Winter? (Spoiler: Yes! It’s Even Good for Your Health)

👉🏾 Christopher and Gordana’s Trans Canada Trail: The Perfect Way to Beat the Winter Blues

👉🏾 From Beaches to Bridges: Experience the Martin Goodman Trail Like a Local

👉🏾 Christopher and Gordana’s Trans Canada Trail: Exploring the Martin Goodman Trail

👉🏾 48-Hour Toronto Itinerary: Your Ultimate Weekend Guide (by a Local!)

👉🏾 Amazing Places To Stay In Toronto

Want to look sharp while dodging squirrels? Grab our Official “I Am Heritage” Hoodie! It’s thick enough for a Lake Ontario breeze and stylish enough for a post-walk brew.

Flash Sale: We are doing 25% OFF the Heritage Hoodie! The discount is automatically applied at checkout, so no codes to remember.

👉🏾 Shop the Heritage Collection Here

If you’re going to tackle the waterfront, you need gear that actually works. We’ve teamed up with MEC to pick out the essentials that handle Toronto’s lakefront breeze like a pro. Both of our top picks below are currently available at MEC!

👉🏾 Shop the MEC Hiking & Footwear Sale Here

👉🏾 The Base Layer: Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis

Pros: Naturally odor-resistant (you can wear it for days!), super soft, and keeps you warm even if you build up a sweat.
Cons: A bit of an investment, but it lasts for years.

👉🏾 The Boots: Merrell Thermo Rogue 3

Pros: These have the Vibram Arctic Grip outsoles. They literally stick to wet ice.
Cons: Stiffer than your summer hikers, so give them a day to break in.

👉🏾 The Secret Weapon: Kahtoola MICROspikes

Pros: If the trail is pure ice, you just slip these over your boots. They dig in like actual claws.
Cons: Don’t wear them inside the coffee shop afterward—the floors (and the manager) won’t like it!

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With over 28,000 km of trail to explore, we want to know: Which part of the Trans Canada Trail is closest to your front door? And if you haven’t hit the TCT yet, what is your absolute favourite Ontario trail to get lost on?

Why I’m Trading My Couch for 28,000km of Trails 🥾

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