2024 Toronto Area's Best Train Route Maple Viewing Guide
With the arrival of autumn, the maple leaf scenery in the Greater Toronto Area is gradually entering its best viewing season. Taking a train to the surrounding areas not only allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, but also allows you to fully enjoy the beautiful scenery brought by autumn on the way. Here are a few recommended train and bus routes that can take you on a tour of the autumn maple leaf scenery in most regions.
1. St. Marie's Agawa Canyon Tour Train
The Agawa Canyon Red Skin Train is one of Canada's most famous maple viewing trains. Starting from Sault Ste. Marie, this route runs through the canyons of North An Province, especially in autumn when the maple leaf scenery along the way is visually stunning. Although it is far from Toronto, the scenery of this route is definitely worth experiencing.
Highlights of the route:
Departure location: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
337 Northland RdSault Ste. Marie, ON P6C 3N2
Destination: Agawa Canyon
Total length: approximately 114 miles (183 kilometers)
Travel time: Round trip for one day. The train departs at 8am and travels for 4 hours to reach the canyon. After staying for about 1.5 hours, it returns to Saint Sulpice and takes about 10 hours.
Train experience:
Retro train: The train features spacious windows, allowing visitors to enjoy a 360 degree panoramic view of the scenery during their journey. The train passes through valleys, rivers, lakes, and dense forests along the way, especially in autumn, where layers of maple leaves add unparalleled color to this route.
Along the way narration: The train is equipped with detailed explanations, introducing the geological and historical cultural background along the way. The train will also slow down near famous scenic spots for passengers to take photos as a souvenir.
Canyon Stop: The train will stop at Agawa Canyon Wilderness Park for about 1.5 hours, where visitors can hike along the park's trails and explore spectacular waterfalls, rivers, and valleys. You can also climb up to a 250 foot observation deck and overlook the panoramic view of the canyon.
scheduling:
Departing in the morning: Trains usually depart from Sault Ste around 8:00 am Marie, please arrive at the train station early.
Arriving at Agawa Canyon: Around noon, visitors have 1.5 hours of free time to move around.
Afternoon return: Around 5pm, return to Sault Ste Marie， End the day's journey.
Travel advice:
Bring your own food and drinks: There is no dining car on the train. It is recommended that tourists bring their own Dim sum or lunch, which can be enjoyed on the train on the way.
Advance booking: As train tickets are very popular during the autumn maple viewing season, it is recommended to book your tickets a few months in advance.
Suitable for wearing: The canyon climate in autumn is relatively cool, so it is recommended to wear warm clothing, especially when climbing or hiking, which may feel colder.
Photography opportunities: There are many excellent shooting points along the train and in the canyon. Remember to bring your camera or phone to capture this unique natural scenery.
Ticket price information:
Adult ticket price: approximately $135- $150 (varies depending on season and time)
Child ticket price: Approximately $70 (applicable to children under 12 years old)
Booking method: You can make a reservation through the official Agawa Canyon Tour Train website: https://www.agawatrain.com
How to reach Sault Ste. Marie:
Self driving: It takes about 8 hours to drive from Toronto to Saint Sulpice. If planning to drive, it is recommended to schedule at least three days of travel time.
Flight: You can choose to take a flight from Toronto to St. Mary's and then proceed to the train station. The flight time is approximately 1.5 hours.
The Agawa Canyon train tour is a rare natural journey, especially during the autumn season when maple leaves are in full bloom, and the beautiful scenery along the way feels like being in a fairy tale world. For friends who love nature and photography, this is an experience that cannot be missed. Bring your camera and comfortable clothing, and get ready to enjoy an unforgettable train maple viewing journey!
2. GO Train Lakeshore West Line
The Lakefront West Line is one of GO Transit's main routes, running through several cities in western Toronto and passing through several excellent locations to admire autumn maple leaves along the way. Departing from Union Station in Toronto, passing through Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, and finally arriving at Niagara Falls.
Recommended maple leaf viewing locations:
Jack Darling Memorial Park: Located by the lake in Mississauga, it is a great park for strolling and admiring maple trees. The red maple trees in autumn set off the lake, creating a charming scenery.
Bronte Creek Provincial Park: After getting off at Oakville Station, you can head to this park to experience the rich and colorful autumn scenery.
Ticket purchasing point:
Online ticket purchase: Tickets can be purchased through the GO Transit official website (gotransit. com).
On site ticket purchase: Tickets can be purchased at the ticket machines at Union Station in Toronto and various GO Train stations along the way.
Train time:
Departure time: One train per hour, from 5:30am to 11:30pm
Travel time: About 2 hours and 15 minutes from Toronto Union Station to Niagara Falls
Ticket Price:
One way ticket price: from Toronto to Mississauga: approximately $7.00; From Toronto to Niagara Falls: approximately $25.00 (adult fare)
GO Transit official website: gotransit.com
Roadmap:
Starting point: Union Station in Toronto
Passing through: Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton
Destination: Niagara Falls
3. GO Train Lakeshore East Line
The Lakefront East Line is one of the ideal routes for admiring autumn maple leaves, starting from Toronto Union Station, passing through Scarborough, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and ending at Oshawa. Along the way, you can enjoy multiple natural parks and trails.
Recommended maple leaf viewing locations:
Rouge National Urban Park: Located in Scarborough, it is one of the largest parks in Toronto. Strolling through it in autumn, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of red maple trees.
Duffins Creek Trails： Located near Ajishi Station, taking a walk along the stream trail is suitable for hiking enthusiasts.
Ticket purchase information:
Online ticket purchase: GO Transit official website（ https://www.gotransit.com ）.
– On site ticket purchase: Purchase tickets at ticket machines at Union Station or various GO Train stations.
Train time:
Departure time: One train per hour, from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm
Travel time: About 1 hour from Toronto Union Station to Oshawa
Ticket Price:
One way ticket price: from Toronto to Scarborough: approximately $4.50; From Toronto to Oshawa: approximately $10.00 (adult fare)
Roadmap:
Starting point: Toronto Union Station
Passing through: Scarborough, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby
Destination: Oshawa
4. Niagara Wine Tour Train
Although slightly away from downtown Toronto, sightseeing trains in the Niagara area are an excellent way to admire maple leaves and experience the local autumn scenery. You can take the GO Train to Niagara Falls, then transfer to a local sightseeing train or bus to explore Niagara on the Lake and enjoy the autumn scenery of the vineyards and parks here.
Recommended maple leaf viewing locations:
Niagara on the Lake: This area is an excellent spot for maple viewing in autumn, especially when strolling along the vineyards and lakeside.
Niagara Botanical Gardens: The fall botanical gardens are filled with colorful leaves, perfect for taking photos and strolling.
Ticket purchase information:
Online ticket purchase: through GO Transit official website（ https://www.gotransit.com ）Book train tickets and related itineraries.
Train time:
Departure time: GO Train departs from Toronto Union Station at 8:51 am every day and returns at 5:51 pm
Travel time: About 2 hours and 15 minutes from Toronto to Niagara Falls
Ticket Price:
One way fare: Toronto to Niagara Falls: approximately $25.00 (adult fare)
GO Transit official website: gotransit.com
Roadmap:
Starting point: Toronto Union Station
Passing through: St. Catherine's, Niagara Falls
Destination: Niagara Lake
Travel advice:
About an 8-hour drive from Toronto, it is recommended to arrange a three-day trip. If you don't want to drive, you can choose to travel with a group to avoid the hassle of booking tickets.
5. Mont Tremblant Maple Viewing Tour
Mont Tremblant, located in Quebec, is a famous autumn maple viewing destination in eastern Canada. Cuihu Mountain Villa not only boasts lake and mountain scenery, but is also a paradise for autumn maple leaf enthusiasts. You can choose to drive or take a train to go there.
Travel advice:
Departing from Toronto, take VIA Rail to Montreal, then transfer to a bus or drive to Emerald Lake Villa.
The mountain cable car at Cuihu Mountain Villa can take you to the mountaintop and overlook the entire maple covered valley, creating a stunning scenery.
Ticket Price:
The one-way ticket price for VIA Rail from Toronto to Montreal is approximately $60- $150 (depending on the carriage class)
The bus fare from Montreal to Emerald Hills is approximately $25- $40
7. Train+Bus: Go to the Maple Viewing Park in York and northern Toronto
By using GO Train or York Region Transit (YRT), you can easily reach several popular maple viewing destinations in the northern part of the Greater Toronto Area. Several parks in York District are colorful in autumn, making them perfect for families or friends to enjoy maple leaves together.
Ticket purchase information:
GO Transit or YRT official website（ https://www.gotransit.com ) ,( https://www.yrt.ca ）.
Recommended maple leaf viewing locations:
Toogood Pond Park: Located in Markham City, it is a popular spot for locals to admire maple trees in autumn, with stunning red maple trees by the lake.
Thomas Foster Memorial Park: Located near Richmond Hill, the autumn maple leaf scenery is particularly charming.
Train and bus schedules:
Departure time: GO Train's Barry Line operates hourly from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm
Travel time: About 50 minutes from Toronto to Richmond Hill
Bus schedule: The departure time of YRT buses varies depending on the route, and specific times can be checked on the official website.
Ticket Price:
One way fare: Toronto to Richmond Hill: approximately $10.00 (adult fare)
Whether taking the GO Train's lakeside route, sightseeing trains in the Niagara area, or heading to the Maple Park in York, these train routes allow you to fully enjoy the autumn maple leaf scenery in the Greater Toronto Area. Arrange your train tickets and schedule in advance, and enjoy this autumn maple viewing journey!