Lights in Toronto Hike

Join Wilderness Union for a nighttime hike through Toronto, seeing all the wonderful decorations and lights that are on display. Starting at St. Clair Station, we will stroll along to Inglewood Dr., where the residents cover the street with huge inflatable Santas each year. After this display of whimsy, we will continue on through the Don Valley to get a breath of wilderness in the center of Toronto, then head to Cumberland Street, which has been transformed into a winter wonderland complete with a light tunnel, thanks to the help of thousands of LED Christmas lights.

After that, we will head down to City Hall, where over 300,000 lights and a massive 55-foot tall white spruce tree await. The Cavalcade of Lights is one of the city's largest Christmas light displays and has been running for 57 years — truly a part of Toronto's history.

Finally, we will walk to the Distillery District, where they have their astonishingly beautiful market and light show. This part does require a ticket if you wish to enter the Winter Village. Tickets need to be booked in advance online to avoid disappointment. It is wonderful!

We will then relax and enjoy the evening together at a local pub.

The hike is a super easy 9km journey, just dress according to the weather.

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16:00 - Meet at St Clair station

16:15 - 20:00 - Hike to see the lights and through the Don Valley

20:00 - Anticipated arrival at the The Distillery District

20:00 - 22:30 - Social at The Distillery District

• Pack a headlamp or flashlight!
• There's a short stretch in the Don Valley so hiking boots (or at least something you don't mind getting dirty) are encouraged
• Money if you wish to have dinner and drinks
• Dress for the weather

Dinner and Drinks are not covered by Wilderness Union

If you do choose to drink, do not drive - This adventure is TTC accessible.

If you'd like to attend the Xmas market at the end, purchase your ticket here.

Hiking injuries - Wear appropriate footwear (ankle high hiking boots) and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles.

Getting lost - Stay with the group at all times, follow the instructions of the guides and download both the map referenced above as well as What3Words. You can't rely on having reception while out in the woods.

We like to share some of the indigenous background of the areas we visit because these territories have rich histories that are easy to overlook. Indigenous communities have a connection to and respect for the land that has largely been lost since European settlement. As we strive to form a deeper connection with the land, we have much to learn from these communities. You can use the Native Land map to learn more about these areas.

Toronto has a particularly long and varied indigenous history, groups who maintain connections to the land include:

1. The Anishinaabe: This includes the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Algonquin peoples. They have lived in the region for centuries and continue to have a presence in the area.
2. The Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy: This includes the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora nations. They have historical connections to the land around Toronto.
3. The Huron-Wendat: They were once the primary inhabitants of the Toronto area before being displaced by European colonization and other Indigenous groups. The Huron-Wendat nation now resides in Wendake, Quebec, but maintains a historical connection to Toronto.
4. The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation: This is a Mississauga Ojibwe First Nation located near Brantford, Ontario. They have treaty rights and historical connections to the land that is now the city of Toronto.
5. The Métis: The Métis people, who are of mixed Indigenous and European ancestry, also have connections to the region