Scarborough Bluffs – Toronto’s Natural Geological Wonder

2019 - The Scarborough Bluffs
2019 – The Scarborough Bluffs

The Scarborough Bluffs, or simply The Bluffs, the main access is through Bluffer’s Park at ‪1 Brimley Rd S in Scarborough.

How the Scarborough Bluffs Were Formed

This natural wonder is a geological record of the latter stages of the Great Ice Age. About 70,000 years ago, sediments made up of plant, and animal fossils were left in a river delta. This occurred in the first advance of the Wisconsinan glacier. The fossil sediments formed the lower 46 m or 150 ft portion of The Bluffs. This was then covered by 61 m or 200 ft of alternating layers of sand and boulder clay, put there by later advances and retreats of ice. The last withdrawal of the glacier happened about 12,000 years ago. Wind, along with water erosion from Lake Ontario, are what formed the Scarborough Bluffs.

Along 15 km of Lake Ontario’s Shore

1980's - The Scarborough Bluffs, looking east
1980’s – The Scarborough Bluffs, looking east

The Bluffs has attracted scientific interest from around the world. They run along a 15 km stretch on the shore of Lake Ontario, from the Eastern Beaches in Toronto to East Point Park in Scarborough. There are 11 waterfront parks that allow visitors to admire the magnificent beauty of The Bluffs; however, the main area is Bluffer’s Park.

How to Access from Bluffer’s Park

2019 - Bluffer's Park sign
2019 – Bluffer’s Park sign

Follow Brimley Rd South going towards Lake Ontario. Take the beautiful, winding, tree-lined road down to Bluffer’s Park. Keeping to the right, a large paid parking area is also on the right. Once parked, head towards the lake. Follow the path along the lake to the right, leading you to the beautiful Bluffs.

Be sure to check the City of Toronto website for hours of operation.

Scarborough Bluffs Photos

Date unknown - Men on the water's edge at Scarborough Bluffs (photo of a photo taken at City of Toronto Archives)
Date unknown – Men on the water’s edge at Scarborough Bluffs (photo of a photo taken at City of Toronto Archives)
2019 - The Scarborough Bluffs
2019 – The Scarborough Bluffs
1909 - Point at Scarborough Bluffs
1909 – Point at Scarborough Bluffs
1916 - Cathedral Spires at the Scarborough Bluffs
1916 – Cathedral Spires at the Scarborough Bluffs
2019 - The Scarborough Bluffs
2019 – The Scarborough Bluffs
1911 - Stairs at Scarborough Bluffs
1911 – Stairs at Scarborough Bluffs
1916 - At the Scarborough Bluffs
1916 – At the Scarborough Bluffs
1980's - Bluffer's Park at the Scarborough Bluffs
1980’s – Bluffer’s Park at the Scarborough Bluffs
2019 - Dunker's Flow Balancing System at the Scarborough Bluffs
2019 – Dunker’s Flow Balancing System at the Scarborough Bluffs
1980's - Bluffer's Park at the Scarborough Bluffs
1980’s – Bluffer’s Park at the Scarborough Bluffs
1911 - Scarborough Heights Park at Kingston Rd
1911 – Scarborough Heights Park at Kingston Rd
1980's - The Scarborough Bluffs, looking east
1980’s – The Scarborough Bluffs, looking east
2010's - The Scarborough Bluffs
2010’s – The Scarborough Bluffs
2019 - Bluffer's Park sign
2019 – Bluffer’s Park sign
2019 - Scarborough Bluffs heritage plaque
2019 – Scarborough Bluffs heritage plaque
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