Scenic Drives Near Toronto

You invested in a car for a number of reasons. While each of us will have some of our own, there is one reason that we all share for owning the vehicle of our dreams. We love to drive!

We love seeking out the extended route to our destinations, planning road trips, or even just spending a day going for scenic drives near Toronto.

A Scenic Drive for the Adventurous Soul

No matter the car you drive, you’re discerning about the scenic routes you choose. A drive along the Niagara Parkway, between Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake, is pleasant enough for lunch, but it’s not a challenge to drive. Taken from Wheels.ca, we found this excursion from Toronto to Collingwood and Owen Sound was as at least as exhilarating a drive as it was a destination.

If you’re a frequent visitor to the Collingwood and the Blue Mountian area for skiing, this one may not seem so exciting at first. But that’s only because it starts with an hour on highway 400 north.

You can get rid of that boredom by using Airport Rd. or Yonge Street north instead. If you really want to put your ride through its paces, you can head up Hwy. 10 and use any number of side roads to go up and down the Niagara Escarpment all day. Hockley Rd., just north of  Orangeville and the Forks of the Credit, is a particularly pleasing country road, including some nearby stretches of gravel if you please.

Once you get into Collingwood, veer away from town and the shores of Georgian Bay (it sounds nice, but it’s not worth the delay). Remain south of town on Sideroad 15 heading for the “Scenic Caves”. If you haven’t already, you’ll climb the Escarpment. That brings you to a decision point.

You can use Grey Rds. 19 and 13 to get into some nifty corners on the often tree-lined Beaver Valley Rd., before heading back home on Hwy. 10. Or you can stay on your adventure by heading north to Thornbury, and getting your fix of Georgian Bay along the shoreline to Meaford.

Niagara Falls

Although Niagara Falls are the best known and most popular touristic location in the area, they deserve to be featured first due to its importance and incredible beauty. With just under 2 hours of driving (about 130 km/80 miles) from the city of Toronto, Niagara Falls are easily reachable, with the main route being along the coast. The falls themselves are amazing wonders of nature and are a must-see for any Ontario native and millions of tourists that visit the site each year. However, if you are looking to avoid the traffic and enjoy nature and the drive there, we suggest going early or on the weekdays and driving along the shores of Lake Ontario. Although the drive will be through the urban areas, you will be driving along the lake with nothing to block your view once you have passed the Hamilton area. Even if the weather is not perfect, you will find the views spectacular.

Muskoka Area

The locals are familiar with the popularity of the Muskoka area, especially during the summer. However, this region of Ontario, located just about two hours north of Toronto, is beautiful and exciting throughout the year. Located on the big Lake Huron and surrounded by several smaller lakes, rivers, Muskoka consists of several villages known for its laid-back atmosphere, beautiful nature, and hundreds of kilometres of driving roads, hiking trails, and forest. This location is perfect if you want to include camping or bike riding in your road trip and make an exciting and active weekend in nature. The directions are pretty straightforward, and all you need to do is head north to the town of Barrie. Then you head to Gravenhurst, which is the biggest town in the Muskoka area, and then it is up to you. We suggest taking any of the local roads towards the shore or driving through beautiful nature, stopping for delicious meals along the way. If you drive in Autumn, the chances are that you will miss all the summer traffic and have a memorable and enjoyable trip.

Elora And Fergus

Let's say you want to escape the city and modern architecture and take a trip back in time. If this is the case, we got you covered. All you need to do is head east to Elora and Fergus, two small towns east of Toronto. The hour and a half drive will get you about 130 kilometres away from modern Toronto and into those little towns' cobbled streets and charming cafes. Well-known for its architecture, hospitality, and many interesting shops and restaurants, Elora and Fergus are locations of a few local events and festivals so that you can plan your trip according to that. However, since Elora Gorge Falls is just outside Elora, we suggest visiting this untouched nature gem as a part of your road trip.

Port Dover

As you probably know, Canada, with its continental climate and long and snowy winters, is typically not a place where you will find palm trees. But what if we told you that less than two hours from Toronto, you could find real palm trees and beaches that look a lot like the ones in Florida. Are you not convinced? No problem, jump in your car or truck and drive east on ON-6 for about 150 kilometres, and you will get to Port Dover. This is the ultimate family road trip destination since there are so many things the whole family can enjoy. From visiting Port Dover Beach and forgetting that you are in Canada to exploring nature and taking a picture at the world-famous Port Dover lighthouse. You can always take the boat ride or go shopping in legendary cheese shops or go wine tasting in local wineries.

Bruce Peninsula National Park

This gorgeous nature reserve and national park are located in the middle of Lake Huron, just across the Muskoka area. It is a prominent peninsula surrounded by crystal clear and cold waters of the lake and blessed with fantastic sights, nature locations, and best driving and hiking roads. It is a somewhat longer drive than previous locations on our list, but it is definitely worth it. The Bruce Peninsula National Park is located some 280 kilometres from Toronto. It usually takes about three and a half to four hours of driving to get there using ON-6 and ON-10 highways. The must-see places are Grotto and Georgian Bay. The Grotto is accessible by foot, and it is a favourite hiking destination. In summer you can swim and enjoy water sports there. However, you can drive along the Georgian Bay and be mesmerized by fantastic views of the lake and incredible sunsets. The whole Bruce Peninsula National Park is the best location if you want fully to embrace nature and escape the city.