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 took the lead 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, Momentum 1 - Community In Motion 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 and now in 2010 we are up to nine weekends. We're looking forward to another most successful Walking season!

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 - Trail Master

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 memorable and enjoyable Walking experience. Alan is responsible for getting many walkers started on the path of wellness and as they become more tuned in to 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

Leo owns and operates Village Yoga in Toronto, Canada and is the co-author of Advancing Your Yoga Practice: The Art of Slowing Down.  In addition to teaching group classes, private lessons and facilitating workshops, Leo specializes in teaching therapeutic yoga to students with various physical limitations and special needs.

In late 2009, Leo is set to launch her first guided relaxation series, designed specifically to help busy people relieve stress without a big time commitment.  Leo is delighted by her role as director of Yoga Walks and loves taking yoga off the mat and into the great outdoors. Check out the Village Yoga web site at www.villageyoga.ca to see what’s up!

Eva Karpati - Rhythm Walks Director

Eva has been teaching fitness for 3 decades.  She has been committed to infusing lives with the joy that comes from living in and moving our bodies. Eva is a personal trainer and as well, teaches yoga and Nia in fitness clubs and community centres in the GTA.

Her newest endeavour has been to create, publish, and edit a monthly newspaper called Good News Toronto which celebrates the inspirational people in Toronto with the goal of motivating all of us to contribute to make this city rich in everyday heroes. Visit the paper at www.goodnewstoronto.ca.

Eva is thrilled to join the team this year and combine her passion for movement with bringing community together while enjoying the bounty of outdoors Toronto.