Toronto Photo Gallery - Along the Don Valley

The Don River flows 38km from the Oak Ridges Moraine into Lake Ontario. Some 1.4 million live along its watershed, and it empties into the lake right next to downtown.

A good location to view the Don Valley against the city's skyline is the Bloor Street Viaduct. When it was originally proposed, this area was sparsely populated and critics called it the "bridge to nowhere". The bridge opened in 1910 at a cost of $2.4 million. However, its height from the valley bottom attracted people to commit suicide here, and barriers were built in 2003.

While cars and pedestrians travel on the top deck, subways run right below. Interestingly, the subway line was not built yet when the bridge opened. The city's works commissioner wanted to save space for a future mass transit line, and the trains came in 1966.

From Broadview station at the eastern side of the bridge, board a free shuttle bus to Evergreen Brickworks down in the valley. This is now a heritage site with hiking trails, farmer's market, and exhibitions.

A 16 hectare park now occupies the former clay and shale quarry.

The lookout point offers a good view of the skyline and the valley. During the fall, the valley should be full of bright colours.