It takes longer than you'd expect to walk the Toronto Islands end-to-end
The Toronto Islands may seem like a compact little retreat from the city, but the landmass is actually deceptively large.
Say you hopped on the wrong ferry, or perhaps just want to get your steps in, and need to get from dock to dock. How long would it take you to get from one end of the islands to the other?
blogTO has been putting travel times to the test across the city, comparing the time required to reach major destinations via walking, ferry and water taxi, subway, streetcar, and even shuttle bus.
For our latest experiment, we decided to see just exactly how long it takes to cover the entire span of the islands on foot.
@blogto Ever wonder how long does it take to walk the Toronto Islands? We put it to the test! 🙌 #ForYou #Fyp #Fy #ForYouPage #TikTokToronto #TorontoTikTok #Toronto #Ontario #Canada #TorontoOntario #TorontoCanada #OntarioCanada #TorontoIslands #CityLife #ThingsToDoInToronto #WardsIsland #HanlansPoint #Challenge ♬ original sound - blogTO
The road between the Ward's Island and Hanlan's Point ferry docks covers approximately 5.3 kilometres, and our intrepid reporters braved a scorching hot (and also rainy) day to determine how much of a hike you can get in on a visit to the islands.
They walked at a brisk pace (with a rushed sunscreen break), starting at the Hanlan's Point ferry docks, passing landmarks like the (allegedly haunted) Gibraltar Point Lighthouse and traversing the world's longest rainbow road in the process.
If you're ever trying to time these trips, it was approximately 19 minutes on foot from Hanlan's to the rainbow road, 26 minutes to Gibraltar Point, and 41 minutes to walk to the main tourist draw of Centre Island.
Braving the blazing sun and eventually a light drizzle, the team eventually made it to the Ward's Island ferry docks in one hour and ten minutes, only stopping for many a minute and a half along the way.
So, if you miss that last ferry of the night, or just want to board the first ferry available at the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal regardless of destination, let this be your handy guide to timing out your visit to the islands.
Matthew James Ferguson/Shutterstock
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