Greater Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt, Protected natural area in southern Ontario, Canada

Greater Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt is a large protected area in southern Ontario that covers forests, wetlands, watersheds, and farmland. The space stretches in a wide arc from the Niagara Escarpment to the lakes east of Toronto, connecting different landscapes together.

The provincial government created the zone in 2005 through legislation to limit the spread of urban areas and preserve natural resources. The measure aimed to prevent buildings and infrastructure from swallowing the remaining open landscapes between cities.

The name refers to the horseshoe shape that wraps around the Toronto area, linking farmland with forested tracts. Farmers often sell their produce directly from the property, so visitors can sample fresh fruit, vegetables, and wine from the region.

The Greenbelt is not a single park with one entrance: it is a patchwork of farmland, forest and wetland across southern Ontario, much of it privately owned. Public access is concentrated in conservation areas and trails, such as those along the Niagara Escarpment and the Oak Ridges Moraine. Check the managing body's map before setting out.

The zone shelters more than 70 species at risk, including rare amphibians and birds that find refuge in the wetlands and forests. The Niagara Escarpment within the area was recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve, underlining its ecological importance.