Our Story

Personal and environmental wellness has become a more important and widely discussed topic than ever as the bulk of Canadians are reaching an age where good health is a priority, and as childhood obesity and inactivity become a recognized societal problem. In June 2003, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health declared a “Call to Action on Physical Activity” in an effort to instigate a culture of wellness in Canada’s largest city.

The Toronto Trails Festival was pleased to join with the City of Toronto to encourage Torontonians to enjoy the health and social benefits of walking on the world-class system of trails that exist in Toronto. In partnership with the City of Toronto, The Platform Group developed the Toronto Trails Festival and on Sunday September 21, 2003 they took Toronto for a walk with the very first annual celebration of the joys of walking.

The first Toronto Trails Festival was a great success and as a result of the overwhelming positive response from participants, the initial Toronto Trails Festival concept was expanded in 2004 into an entire month of walking and hiking activities. In year three, the Festival again offered a month of celebrations and introduced a Grand Finale event that was unforgettable. In 2006, we expanded our events to six weekends. We're looking forward to another very successful year in 2007.

Our Mission

To promote the importance of being self-reliant on matters of personal and environmental wellness together by helping to create a culture of Walking in Toronto.

Tom Fiore, Director-Founder

Walk Leaders

Alan Lavine - Walking/Hiking Director

Alan has may years of experience in leading Walks & Hikes.
His relaxed manner and voice of experience make all walkers comfortable
while being lead  through  a most rememberable Walking experience.
Alan is responsible for getting many walkers started on to  the path of
wellness  and as they come more tuned into the joys of walking, they have become avid walkers, healthier individuals, and stewards of the environment.

Jay Tabac - Xtreme Walk Director

Jay Tabac is the owner and operator of Commit Fitness Inc. He is also a faculty member at Humber College’s Fitness program, and holds a Bachelor of Science from Concordia University where he studied exercise science and athletic therapy. He has lectured at national fitness and personal training conferences on topics of health, wellness, and professional development in the personal training industry.

In regards to Jay’s hiking and walking experiences, they range from leisurely walks with friends and family around the parks and ravines of Toronto, to extreme hiking and mountaineering expeditions in the Canadian Rockies.

Jay is excited to be taking part in Momentum One’s Extreme Walking Series.

Leonor (Leo) Mowry - Yoga Walks Director

We're pleased to introduce Leonor Mowry as our director of Yoga Walks 2007.

Leo owns and operates Village Yoga, Toronto’s premier boutique yoga studio and most trusted purveyor of private yoga lessons, located in the heart of Forest Hill Village. She is also a self-professed nature-lover and her regular outdoor activities include snowboarding, hiking, rollerblading and beach volleyball.

Registration

Click here to register for our newsletter