The Leslie Street Spit is North America's most remarkable public urban wilderness. It is a 5-kilometre long peninsula, built by lakefilling, that juts into Lake Ontario close to downtown Toronto. Started 40 years ago, it was intended to be a breakwater for harbour expansion, which was not needed due to a decrease in lake shipping.
Now, the Spit - as it is lovingly called by the people of Toronto - has been transformed by nature into an extraordinary wildlife reserve, where humans can find a car-free refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a quiet time amid unmanicured vegetation. Close to 400 plant species have been identified on the Spit, many of which are nationally and provincially rare. They include Prickly Pear Cactus, Ladies' Tresses, Bog Twayblade, Asters, and numerous species of grasses. Information provided by the Friends of Leslie St. Spit website.
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Ontario Trails do not own or manage any trails. Check with the identified manager before using this trail. Do not trespass, allowed uses only.
For more information on the great sport of snowshoeing please see our partner Snowshoe Canada
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