While major work is being done along the Lower Don trail between the river and railway tracks, the separated bike path down the Bayview Extension is the best way to get between Pottery Road and the Don Valley Brickworks down to Corktown Common. Here is the approximately 4.5km (2.8 mile) route, with photos looking south from July 2024.
Start of detour – Pottery Road near Todmorden Mills Heritage Site
Riding south down the Lower Don River trail you will get to the two stage crossing at Pottery Road, with Todmorden Mills to your left (east). It is a blind curve at the bottom of a hill, so be extra careful of cars as you cross – they don’t have to stop on either side.
Once across you’ll see the path that continues south along the river to your left – sometimes it is clearly closed, sometimes the fences are open.
Instead we’ll turn to our right (west) over the multi-use bridge on the far side of the two car bridges, towards the railway crossing and the lights at the Bayview Extension, and will keep to the left to continue south at the fork in the path.
The path is separated from the road with a highway barrier, but this is the least pleasant part of the ride. We’ll go up a bit of a hill, and under the ‘Half Mile bridge’. For the rest of the way south we’ll have the railway tracks, then the Don River to our left.
To the right (west) is the Don Valley Brick Works (see lots of historic photos from as far back as 1908, here). Continue south to the light if you’d like to go explore the Brickworks, the park around old Chorley Park and the path that leads north to Mount Pleasant Cemetery, or south west to Roxborough Drive at Mount Pleasant along Yellow Creek, or to the Craighleigh Gardens.
But we’re on our way towards the lake, so we’ll continue through the lights and keep to the left when the path leaves the road – this is at the bottom of the ramp from the DVP, so once again, be careful!
This is the only section in amongst trees, climbing up and over a wooden bridge and under the highway ramps. The path continues south, under the Bloor Street Viaduct, past the trail west up Rosedale Valley Road, and through Riverdale Park and the River Street path that takes you up to Gerrard Street East.
At River Street the Bayview Extension becomes one lane, heading south under the Queen / King street bridge, past fancy car dealerships, and finally under Adelaide Street East into Corktown Common.
At the south end of the trail – after the bridge you can look to your right (west) at the meadow path that runs up into the neighbourhood.
Eventually to your left you’ll see the bridge that runs under the railway tracks, to the bottom of the Lower Don River trail.
Here’s the view looking back west after I went through the tunnel – a dead end in summer 2024 You can see the main trail and steps up to the rest of the park.
Head back under the bridge and continue south west, up the hill, past the sculpture ‘No Shoes’ by Mark DiSuvero at the very south end of Baview Ave and Mill Street. The bike path continues west to the Distillery District then south to the new Cherry Beach path to Lake Ontario.
