Toronto Island (social hike), June 11 2026 8:45am

Toronto Islands June 11, 2026

Sometimes the best escape from the city is only a short ferry ride away.  This week 13 Pathfinders and their two guests spent a beautiful day exploring and learning about the Toronto Islands. 

Map of Toronto Islands

 

On the Ferry

We took the ferry from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal heading for Ward’s Island which is on the east side of the islands.  This is the residential part of the island with 70 island homes and leases. There is a waiting list for potential purchasers of homes and leases that opens every two years.  The Trust accepts 500 names; however, most buyers are usually found within the first 100 names.

Once we landed, we proceeded to the boardwalk and headed to Centre Island.

Walking on the boardwalk

Tucked away we found a little path leading to a beach where we were able to take a group shot.

The Group

From Ward’s Island to Centre Island Peir is a 2.3 km walk.  Along the way we found this amazing pine tree that Marleene said deserved a hug.

Marleen hugging a tree

 

Everyone on the pier was looking out into the water, it must have an awfully big fish.  Apparently fishing on the Islands is rated as one of the best urban angling experiences in the GTA. 

Looking out from the pier

 

The sign on the pier said 1,269 km to Halifax, 3, 371 Km to Vancouver, New York City 548 km and Eaton Chelsea Hotel 6 k. but we’re sure Jane wants to go to Halifax

Jane pointing to Halifax

 

After some photo ops on the pier, we walked through Centreville which is the amusement park area of the Island.  There are rides, food and a little farm for the kids to visit.  We encountered a beautiful swan that was nesting as well as a couple of Herons, and two duck families with their babies.

The Heron

Baby Ducks

 

 Following the path out of Centreville we crossed the bridge over to Olympic Island where the group took a few minutes to admire the scenery on the other side of the water.

Enjoying the site on the other side

Toronto Skyline

 

After lunch we came back out to the pier for some ice cream and where a Beavertail addict was able to satisfy her addiction.

Addict's entrance

 

We ate, cleaned up then headed towards Hanlon’s Point.  Along the way we encountered Artscape a building which offers artists and creatives and ideal place to focus on their projects as well as the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse.

Gibraltar Point lighthouse

 

The lighthouse is the oldest existing lighthouse on the Great Lakes.  It was built in 1808 and is located on the southwestern top of the Toronto Islands.  The 80-foot stone tower is famous for being one of Toronto’s oldest buildings and the centre of its most enduring ghost story.

We also made a pit stop to ascertain what type of lily was growing in the marshy area of the island0

Ann documenting flowers

Alas all great days come to an end.  after our meander of 3.9 km, we arrived at the Hanlan’s point ferry terminal.  At the foot of the terminal sits the statue of Edward (Ned) Hanlan who was a professional sculler, hotelier and alderman from Toronto.  Hanlan is widely regarded as Canada’s fist individual sporting hero hailing from the east end of Toronto Island.

Edward Hanlan Memorial

 

A big thank you to all who came out on this fantastic day.