Philosopher’s Walk

Such a calming walk in such a restless city. I love coming for walks here, though I will suggest coming on quiet summer days, when there are fewer students. As others have pointed out, the U of T campus makes up basically all the green space in this area so it can be crowded at times. It is really quiet, though, and you can hardly hear cars unlike other parks and areas in the city. I love exploring from this path, and looking at the many statues and slightly more hidden green spaces on this campus. Not sure if the path itself is worth it as a tourist destination, but this entire campus definitely is, 100%.

Having gone to U of T for way too many years, I’ve walked this path many atimes. Perhaps inspired by the name, I did indeed have some deep contemplations at times. Other times, I was just walking off a raging hangover. Either way, it’s nice to have a little stretch of tranquility in the busy downtown core. It’s now even better since the renovation of the ROM and the Music Conservatory. Step in to see two of the city’s most impressive architectural marvels.

Lives up to it’s name.
I grew up in the area, and my sister and I used to ride our bikes all around … the small hill was perfect and fun.
It has just the right amount of trees. You can see through them no problem, so it is a pretty safe place to be at all hours of the night. I’ve had some serious philosophical conversations here.
It’s great as a little scenic walk… but it’s actually a shortcut! Nice when that works out.
What else? It’s a great people watching spot. You can sit on one of the benches and just chill while various people walk by.
It’s the ultimate parkette, if you ask me.

I spend a good amount of time here. And as it turns out, so does everyone else.
This is the closest thing to a green space that you will encounter so near Yorkville and for this reason, it tends to be crowded at most times. So, I have carefully discovered times and days at which it is at optimal quietness.
Firstly, do not visit during lunch hour because teachers and camp coordinators bring the kids here so they can let off some steam. I really despise children. They are everywhere during the lunch hour. They are loud and obnoxious.
Apart from that, try to avoid the before work and after work crowd so (9am-​10am and 5pm-​6pm). In general, it’s best in the late afternoon so 2pm-​5pm because at night, a lot of people go for a walk with their dogs.

«I think therefore I am!»
One just needs to be here during UofT’s frosh week to hear hundreds of students chant that while walking through Philospher’s Walk (namley the frosh of University College).
But for every other day of the year, Philospher’s Walk provides you a serene walk from Harbord St to Bloor (or the ROM, Museum subway, Trinity College, Faculty of Music and Varsity Centre depending on your day). It’s a beautiful short path with winding paved walkways and minimal benches that hundreds of world renowned Philosophers have walked through in centuries past. OK that last bit is probably not true.
So next time you’re in the area and think…“hmm maybe I’ll just take Devonshire up to Bloor (or down to Harbord)” STOP! Take a few more steps till you meet the pretty entrances to this small path and take it from there. Who knows, maybe you will be smarter by the end of it!

Here’s one for all the Couples out there.
My Friend told me about PHIL’s Walk.
Start from Hoskin ave/Queen’s Park.
End at Bloor st W for Hot Drink nearby.
A quiet little scenic getaway to ponder.
Along with someone special is best.

«Short and sweet» pretty much sums up the Philosopher’s Walk, which is about the nicest shortcut in town. It goes between Bloor Street and Hoskin Ave, the next east-​west street south, but cuts through and around a number of interesting landmarks.
The north entrance is tucked away between the ROM and the Royal Conservatory of Music (the view having changed thanks to their recent and/​or ongoing renovations), and it also passes by Trinity College at the upper part of of the U of T campus. The old masonry and detachment from the hustle-​bustle of the surrounding streets certainly make it a good place for a contemplative stroll – hence the name.