Toronto’s newest place to skate is — under the Gardiner Expressway! The Bentway Skate Trail, located next to the Fort York National Historic Site, is the first section to be unveiled of the new public space that stretches 1.75 km under the Gardiner.
And The Bentway has a chalk full schedule of public events to get Torontonians downtown. Their Winter Season runs until mid-March with free daily skating and a line up of special events from pop up skate lessons to Friday night skate parties to drop in ice breaking workshops (that’s breakdancing on skates).
We took one of the first glides before it opened to the public. The ice was nice and there are some benches along the trail to take a break from skating the loop. There is more to come this winter with a skate rental hut setting up shop and warming pods. On weekend evenings, there will be a lounge and food trucks.
TRIP TIPS:
Getting there: The Bentway Skate Trail is located next to the Fort York Historic Site visitor centre. By TTC, 511 Bathurst (at Fort York Blvd); 509 Harbourfront (at Fleet St.); 121 Fort York-Esplanade at Gzowski Blvd (westbound) or Bastion St (eastbound). By car, there is paid parking available at 800 Fleet St.
Low-down: Free daily skating. Check the schedule here. Skate and helmet rentals available during certain periods (sizes toddler 8 to adult 14); FREE skate rentals on Monday nights. The Bentway will offer year-round activities, including gardens, a skate trail, recreational amenities, public markets, public art, special exhibitions, festivals, theatre and musical performances, and more.
In the hood: Next door Fort York, east Fort York Library and south Little Norway Park (across from Billy Bishop Airport), new Trillium Park and Ontario Place.
More skating: Check out these Skating Trails in and around Toronto. Looking to skate through a forest? We recommend Arrowhead Provincial Park Skate Trail.
