Scarborough Bluffs Guide

Scarborough Bluffs is a line of tall clay and sand cliffs running along the east end of Toronto's lakeshore, in places rising to well over sixty metres. Made of material laid down by ancient glacial lakes, they have been worn and sculpted by wind, rain and waves into ridges and spurs. It is the most dramatic natural landscape inside the city limits, and it feels like another country from the harbourfront.

Choosing a viewpoint

Treat the Bluffs as a string of separate places rather than a single sight. The top-of-cliff parks, such as Cathedral Bluffs Park and Scarborough Heights Park, give you the wide lake views over the edge. Bluffer's Park sits below the cliffs with a beach and a marina, and from there you look up at the full height of the face. Guildwood Park, a short distance east, has a garden setting with architectural fragments salvaged from old Toronto buildings, plus lookouts over the lake.

Each approach gives a different result. The view from the top suits photographers, with a wide lens and a clear day. The view from below suits those who want to feel the scale. With room for only one, we would begin at the top and then decide whether the beach is a sensible extra effort that day.

Safety and conditions

The cliffs erode, sometimes quickly. Stay behind the fences and signs, never climb on the faces and keep away from the base of the slope, where falls happen. Swimming and beach conditions vary with weather and water quality, so check the City of Toronto's current notices before you go. Sturdy shoes matter, and a windproof layer is wise, since the lake breeze is cooler than in the city. Children should stay close, and no photograph justifies leaning over a fence. After heavy rain the trails can be slippery, so ease your pace.

Getting there and how long to allow

This is a half-day trip. Take the Line 2 subway to Kennedy station and then a bus, or use the GO train from Union Station to Guildwood station and walk to the park. Travel times and routes can change, so confirm the details on the TTC and GO sites. Our getting around guide explains how the network fits together, and the how to get to Toronto guide covers the rail links into Union Station.

Do not squeeze it in as a short hop between museums. The journey eats the time, and the landscape rewards a slow stroll with a stop or two. Bring water and a snack, since choices near the viewpoints are limited. Guildwood Park in particular rewards a slow wander, with its sculpted garden terraces and quiet corners, and it is an easier option for visitors who do not want to descend to the beach.

Pair it with

Pair the Bluffs with the east end, not the core. The Beaches is a natural second stop, with its boardwalk and low-rise streets, and works as a lakeside evening after an afternoon on the cliffs. If you prefer a day of green space, the Evergreen Brick Works sits in a very different valley landscape. For a taste of the lake closer to downtown, the Toronto Islands give you open shoreline and skyline views without the long trip east.

Who it suits and what to skip

It suits photographers, walkers and anyone who has seen the towers and wants a change of scale. It is a poor fit in fog or heavy rain, when the cliffs vanish. Skip it on your first short trip if your list is already full of downtown landmarks. Come on a clear afternoon, ideally later in the day when the low light picks out the folds of the cliff face, and treat the Bluffs as the main event.