Nordic walking in Toronto’s Mount Pleasant Cemetery is spectacular in any season.
It’s peaceful, tree-filled, and full of blooming flowers, fountains, wildlife, historical plaques, art, and stunning sculpture. It’s one of the city’s best places to walk, whether you’re a Nordic walker, regular walker, or dog walker.
But here’s the catch: it’s easy to get lost. The winding, tree-lined roads twist in all directions. It spans almost 200 acres, and maps are few and far between.
I know some walkers who stick to the same familiar route every visit, while others avoid exploring more deeply for fear of not finding their way out. (If you do get lost, just ask any of the gardening staff for directions.)
In winter, the absence of leaves reveals nearby landmarks—tall buildings on Merton Street to the north and the backs of homes on Moore Avenue to the south—which can help with orientation if you’re familiar with the area.
But here’s a secret that many regulars to the cemetery don’t know about: The painted lane dividers—some are solid white, yellow or blue, while others are broken white—are also a navigation system.
If you follow any one of them, it will lead you to a cemetery building or an exit.
Knowing this trick can transform your exercise experience. You can wander and enjoy the tranquility of the setting without constantly worrying about exactly where you are. In spring and summer, when the lush canopy closes in and some of the roads feel almost like forest trails, this guidance system becomes even more useful.
So next time you’re in Mount Pleasant, try venturing a little farther. Enjoy the birdsong, admire the headstones and sculptures, chat away with your Nordic walking companion, and trust that the road markings will get you where you need to go.
