Confession: we had driven past the Rouge signs for years on the way to the zoo. Treating Canada’s first national urban park as background scenery is a very Scarborough mistake.
The route
We parked near Rouge Beach and walked the river mouth trail, flat, wide, good for testing fitness without commitment. Herons, cyclists, and a school group counting wetland plants.
Why it surprised us
The soundscape drops away within ten minutes. Suburban white noise fades to birds and wind. For a borough often described as strip malls and traffic, that quiet is disorienting in the best way.
Next visit
We’ll try the Cedar Trail loop in fall for colour. Parks Canada lists guided walks in summer. We’ll register next season.
Related: Rouge National Urban Park | Malvern neighbourhood