Hike Schedule

Merritthon (New Limited Edition Badge

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: Event Hikes
Location (Google Maps):

Port Dalhousie Heritage District, Public Parking Lot St Catharines

Terrain: Easy
Distance: 45

Description

Celebrate the 200 year anniversary of the Welland Canal and earn a New Limited Edition Badge. We will award 100 Badges this year and 100 Next Year
Looking for a distance challenge? We invite Hikers, Runners, joggers Walkers and Strollers
The Merrithon is a long distance hike from Port Colborne to Port Dalhousie along the welland Canal. This is a self-guided hike along mainly paved trail.
A Map of the trail can be found at http://niagarabrucetrail.club/wp/badges/ under the Merritthon badge

Everyone who completes the route and goes through all of the checkpoints will earn the Limited Edition Prestigious Merritthon Badge

Fee: $50 includes Bus transport to start of hike, checkpoints, badge and helps to support the Bruce Trail Conservancy in its mission to preserve a ribbon of wilderness, for everyone, forever.

BUS LEAVES AT 7:00 SHARP. Late arrivers will need to check in and make their own way to Port Colborne

BUS Leaves at 7:00 Sharp. Late arrivals must make their own way to the start after checking in at Port Dalhousie

Check in: At Port Dalhousie Parking Lot St Catharines from 6:40. Buses will transport hikers to Port Colborne.

Route: Follow the yellow blazes from Port Colborne to Port Dalhousie back to the parking lot
What to bring: Bring your own water and snacks. Wear comfortable sturdy shoes and dress for the weather.

Extra water and snacks will be available at the checkpoints.

COVID Safety Precautions: Please note the precautions before, during and after your hike… https://development.brucetrail.org/pages/explore-the-trail/hike-schedule.

FAQ’s

What if it rains? This is a rain or shine event.

What if I need to drop out? Trail Angel’s will be available from the checkpoints.

How long will it take to finish? We estimate that the hike will take between 8 and 9 hours. If you do not reach the last checkpoint by 4:00pm you will have to withdraw

Is my ticket/registration transferable/refundable? yes. Refundable up to 10 days before event but not transferrable. Please let us know if you cannot make it.

Contact: Alan Laver alanjlaver@gmail.com 416 303 5613

Car Hike: Rouge National Park Toronto

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Car Hike
Location (Google Maps): Rouge Park, Zoo Road Parking Lot, off Meadowvale Road north of Sheppard Ave

Hike Leader(s): Mohammad Aghamiri Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Moderate
Terrain: Hilly
Distance: 14-17KM

Description

Will explore Toronto part of Rouge park along Rouge river and Little Rouge Creek,

Some safety procedures during the hike:

1-Hikers must stay between the leader and the sweep.

2-Hikers must advise the leader or the sweep if they wish to leave the group.

3- Hikers must follow the whistle instructions: 1 blast- stay where you are; 2 blasts come to the leader; 3 blasts – come to the leader quickly.

4-Hike leader may request volunteers to stop at trail intersections, they need to help hikers to the direction the group walk and wait till they see the sweep .

5-Hikers have to make sure they can  see the persons behind and in front of them.

Car Hike: Caledon Section - White and Blue Trails hike (3) - 19KM

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Car Hike
Location (Google Maps):

We meet at the Mono 5 Sideroad parking on the North side of the road where the trail crosses the road.

Hike Leader(s): Fayyaz Mahmood Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Brisk
Terrain: Challenging, Rocky
Distance: 18.8KM

Description

Devilish Madness at Glen Huron

Hosting Club: Blue Mountains
Category: Register in person the morning of hike.
Location (Google Maps): Hike meets in the parking lot behind Tim Hortons on First St. in Collingwood.

Hike Leader(s): Sandy McNair Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: 11 km

Description

Starting at Glen Huron the trail will immediately climb the escarpment, taking us through a variety of mixed forests to the edge of the Devils Glen Provincial Park. We will then encounter multiple switchbacks to descend to the Mad River Side Trail where we enjoy seeing this river grow as we travel along the river bank to return to our cars. Bring a snack or lunch and water.

Quarry Rd, in and back, 15 km

Hike open to BTC Members only.

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: In and Out
Location (Google Maps): Meet at Quarry Rd. by the trail crossing.

Hike Leader(s): Vince Zvonar Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Brisk
Terrain: Moderate
Distance: 15

Description

Car Hike: Scotsdale Farm – White and Blue Trails hike – 18.5KM

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Car Hike
Location (Google Maps):

We meet in the parking lot at Scotsdale Farm. Enter from Trafalgar Road, 1.7KM from where Trafalgar Road leaves Highway 7.

Hike Leader(s): Fayyaz Mahmood Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Brisk
Terrain: Challenging, Rocky
Distance: 18.5KM

Description

We will hike the Main trail and Side Trails (ST) in the Scotsdale Farm / Silver Creek area. We start on the Bennett Heritage ST going North to join the Main Bruce trail at 35.1KM, Map 13, Ed 30. We turn back on the Main trail and join the Great Esker ST at 33.4KM. We leave the Great Esker trail to take the new Trafalgar ST, Reservoir ST and finally the Duff Pit ST to return back to the Main trail at 28.4KM. We take the Main trail going north until 31.2KM and take the Maureen Smith ST to return back on the Bennett Heritage ST to return back to the parking lot.
Dress according to the weather. Hiking boots are required.
Bring your lunch and 1.5-2 litres of water. No dogs.

Niagara ETE in Seven - Brisk Pace - Led by Smadar Junkin - Please read all details before registering.

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: Event Hikes
Location (Google Maps): Nov 12: Meet at Woodend Conservation Area, Taylor Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, 43.1432995, -79.1672588, Carpool to the BTC Southern Terminus 14184 Niagara River Pkwy, Niagara-on-the-Lake, 43.1602848, -79.052315.
Nov 25 Meet at Decew House, Decew Rd Thorold. 43.1078074, -79.2498458. Carpool to Woodend Conservation Area, Taylor Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, 43.1432995, -79.1672588.
Nov 26: Meet at Roland Rd parking lot east of Effingham St 43.090278, -79.305073. Carpool to Decew House, Decew Rd Thorold. 43.1078074, -79.2498458
Dec 2: Meet at 3640 Glen Rd Jordan 43.139030, -79.373893. Carpool to Roland Rd parking lot east of Effingham St 43.090278, -79.305073.
Dec 3: Meet at 3774 Quarry Rd Beamsville, 43.142799, -79.458922. Carpool to 3640 Glen Rd Jordan 43.139030, -79.373893.
Dec 9: Meet at Mountainview Conservation Area, Beamsville 43.1577899 -79.4974062. Carpool to 3774 Quarry Rd Beamsville, 43.142799, -79.458922
Dec 10: Meet at Grimsby Lions Club Pool 1 Elm St 43.193201, -79.565301. Carpool to Mountainview Conservation Area, Beamsville 43.1577899 -79.4974062

Hike Leader(s): Niagara Hike Leader Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Brisk
Terrain: Moderate
Distance: 12 – 15k per day

Description

Meet time is 8:15 for 8:30 start. . This is a special series of 7 hikes to complete the Niagara section of the Bruce Trail. There will be a new accomplishment badge, included in the registration fee featuring the White-tailed deer – which has been designed by Joe Borges and will be made available on our last day. The White-tailed deer is common throughout Niagara. For this E2E in 7, we will be following the main trail east to west eventually finishing in Grimsby. Some days we will hike east to west and other days, west to east depending on parking availability. Please note that you are signing up for the entire series of 7 hikes as a Group Hike. The Niagara in 7 series is geared to experienced long distance hikers with the expectation of a 3 to 5.0 km/ hr. pace maintained over a day up to 15km. The section is approximately 85km so daily distances will be based on available parking. No dropout points have been established and therefore hikers who must drop out, will be responsible for their own transportation back to their vehicle. Please be honest about your hiking abilities. We will hike at a steady pace but there will be plenty of time to take pictures and to enjoy the flora and fauna of this beautiful but challenging section.

Again, this particular set of 7 hikes is intended to be Moderate/Brisk. Please be honest about your degree of physical fitness prior to registration. It is a group hike so it is important you are able to keep pace with the person in front of you.

Attire and Daily Hikes.

Hikers will be expected to be wearing proper hiking boots and layered clothing with the expectation of hot and humid weather. Sufficient food and 2 litres of water for a full day of hiking is required as well as hiking poles (if you use them). Check the daily forcast and prepare for wet weather, as well. Bug spray is strongly suggested. Clothing adjustments, bio-breaks are as needed. Please let the sweep person know and they will wait for you. A morning break around 10am and a 10-15 minute on-trail lunch break will be scheduled. An afternoon break will be based on our expected finish time. Depending on weather conditions, these times may vary. Please check for ticks everyday. Wear a wide brimmed hat and hang your backpack up off the ground. This area is endemic to black-legged ticks.

Fee

The fee goes towards supporting the Niagara Bruce Trail Club, which in turn supports the mission of the Bruce Trail Conservancy, which is: “Preserving a ribbon of wilderness, for everyone, forever.” For the time being, registration for the Niagara E2E-in-seven will be limited to members of the Bruce Trail Conservancy. Hikers may be a member of any section.

Car Shuttles and Missing Hikes

A maximum of 2 (of the 7) hikes can be self-completed as a result of scheduling challenges, but it is intended that this badge be earned while hiking as part of a group led by a certified hike leader. Car shuttles are shared amongst all hikers. If you intend to arrive at the meeting locations with more than yourself in your vehicle, please let the hike leader know in advance. Car pooling to our meeting spot with 2 people in the car is generally ok but we would like to minimize and equalize the driving/shuttling as much as possible so it is fair for all participants. If you know you will miss more than 2 of the hikes, it’s likely best to sign up for another end to end, however, whatever hikes are completed on this series may go toward completion of an independent ETE for the regular Niagara section. If you are able to complete the hikes you know you will miss ahead of time, all the better.

Transportation

This series will be through-hikes and will require car shuttling. You must be willing to drive and/or to be a passenger. Some parking locations require paid parking, and hikes that enter Niagara Parks. The fee for this E2E-in-7 does not include any parking/entry fees for hikers. These costs, where applicable, will be shared amongst all participants unless you have a parking or park pass.

Leave No Trace

Please remember, like all hikes, this is a Leave No Trace hike. Pack out whatever you pack in. Do not toss anything onto or into any sections of the trail. We will also try to leave the trail better than we found it so we will be collecting collectable garbage we might see along the way. Daily volunteers to collect trail trash will be supplied with a bag. Dogs will not be welcome on this hike.

Daily

We meet for each hike by at least 6:45am each day. The schedule is subject to change. Please set aside July 24th as a potential alternate day in the event of weather related postponement.

This hike is limited to 12 participants including the hike leader.

9:30 Hiking in and around Port Weller West

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: Loop
Location (Google Maps): Lock 1, Welland Canal, 325 Lakeshore Road, St. Catharines, L2M 7Z3

Hike Leader(s): Sheila Massey Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Easy
Distance: 6k

Description

This hike will follow a trail along the Welland Canal, walk through Mary Malcolmson Eco Park, continue to Sunset Beach, follow Walker’s Creek Trail, visit flower murals along the fences of the Port Weller Community Centre, follow the trails of Malcomson Park and return to Lock 1 of the Canal.

Memorial Forest to Jones Falls Loop

Hosting Club: Sydenham
Category: General Hike
Location (Google Maps):

Parking area at the west end of Young’s Drive, off Nicol’s Gully Road, east of km 105.8 (Map 32)

Hike Leader(s): Sheri Hatcher Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium: 3 to 4 km/h
Terrain: Moderate: Some hills and/or poor footing
Distance: Approximately 6 km

Description

We will walk along the base of the escarpment on the Memorial Forest Side Trail and ascend through a crevasse to join the Main Trail along the top of the escarpment. We will head to Jones Falls and explore the area. We will then take the Merle Gunby Side Trail loop and join up with the Main Trail again. This  hike ends with a steep descent back to the parking lot.  Please arrive 15 minutes before the start time.  If you are unable to register, please call or text the leader at 519-270-5068.

11:00 am Hike & Picnic

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: Loop
Location (Google Maps): Locust Grove Picnic Area

Hike Leader(s): Marion Hanover Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Moderate
Distance: 7 km

Description

Hike around Queenston area.  Optional outdoor gathering in Locust Grove including pot luck picnic after the hike.

NEW TIME 9:00 Staff Avenue Louth

Hosting Club: Niagara

Location (Google Maps): Staff Avenue Louth

Hike Leader(s): Alan Laver Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Moderate
Distance: 10km

Description

Explore Short Hills and the majestic side trails of Scarlett Tanager, Hemlock. Swayze Falls and Terrace. Register for each hike

Bring Poles water, snack, sunscreen and bug spray and dress for the weather

9:15 Short Hike - Rotary Park, St. Catharines

Hosting Club: Niagara

Location (Google Maps): Rotary Park, St. Catharines

Hike Leader(s): janet davey Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Moderate
Distance: 6 kms

Description

Hike the trails around Rotary Park in St. Catharines.    Bring water.

Hiking through Hamilton on the Chedoke Radial Trail. This is a shuttle hike. Please car pool if you can, parking is limited.

Hosting Club: Caledon Hills
Category: Tuesday Hikers
Location (Google Maps): Meet at roadside parking on Kimberly Dr. in Hamilton; km 29.4 Iroquoia section of the BTC Trail Guide. Park by the Kimberly Dr. access Side Trail. We will car pool to the parking area on Scenic Dr. to start the hike.

Hike Leader(s): Doris Harper Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hour
Terrain: Moderate – some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: 11 km

Description

From roadside parking on Kimberly Dr., we will shuttle to the parking area on Scenic Dr. GPS  43.245533 -79.930693.

We will hike mainly on the Chedoke Radial Trail from where we can enjoy great views over the lake and the city. The trail also wanders through forested areas.

Bring water , snacks, poles(optional). Comfortable sturdy shoes or boots recommended. Dress for the weather, and the forecast.

We will also be accompanying  hikers on their End t0 End journey of the Bruce Trail.