Hike Schedule

International Hike

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: Urban
Location (Google Maps): Meet in the parking lot of the Floral Showhouse, 7145 Niagara River Pkwy, Niagara Falls

Hike Leader(s): Margaret Northfield Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Easy
Distance: 10km

Description

See the majestic Falls from several vantage  points.  We will hike both sides of the Niagara River, crossing the Rainbow Bridge and going to Goat Island.

Bring passport or Nexus to cross the border.  Bring $1 for the bridge fee.

A drink and snack are recommended.  This hike will take 3-4 hours depending upon the ease/difficulty of border crossings.  Please allow extra time.

Car Hike: A March and a Market

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Car Hike
Location (Google Maps): We will meet at the parking lot of Spirit Tree Estate Cidery located at 1137 Boston Mills Rd, Caledon. (Map 14 of the Bruce Trail Reference Guide, Edition 30)

Hike Leader(s): Monica Pasquali Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely
Terrain: Flat, Variable
Distance: 5.8 km

Description

Celebrate the upcoming holidays with a march along the Bruce Trail and a visit to a local artisan market!

First, we’ll do an out-and-back march along the main trail of the Bruce Trail as it flows out of the Toronto section and into the Caledon Hills section.  We will begin our hike at the Spirit Tree Estate Cidery parking lot and then follow the main trail on Boston Mills Road and Creditview Road in order to reach the Cheltenham Badlands.  We will continue our hike along the main trail that runs through the Badlands, as well as walk along Olde Baseline Road for a short distance in order to see the Badlands in all their glory!  We will then retrace our steps to return to Spirit Tree Estate Cidery.

After our hike, we’ll visit the “Handcrafted with Love” artisan market at Spirit Tree Estate Cidery to do a little holiday shopping, and we’ll follow that up with a delicious pizza lunch enjoyed outdoors at the cidery.

For the main Bruce Trail in the Toronto section: Children under 13 years of age who participate in this hike will be eligible for the Toronto Bruce Trail Club’s Youth Badge (https://torontobrucetrailclub.org/the-trail/badges) – all family members who are planning on joining us should register for the hike, including children.  

For the main Bruce Trail in the Caledon section: While on our hike within the Cheltenham Badlands, I will provide assistance to hikers of all ages who are interested in earning the Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club’s Nature Hunter Badge (http://caledonbrucetrail.ca/hiking/club-badges/nature-hunt-badge/).  I will point out and identify trees and wildflowers as we hike, as well as explain plant life cycles.  You should bring enough water and food for a 2-hour hike, comfortable hiking shoes, appropriate clothing for the weather, a camera if you want to work on the Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club’s Nature Hunter Badge, and money if you intend to join us for shopping and lunch at Spirit Tree Estate Cidery (https://spirittreecider.com/) after the hike.

Car Hike; Crawford Lake Loop

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Car Hike
Location (Google Maps): 10 a.m. from Crawford Lake Conservation Area – 3115 Conservation Rd. Milton ON L9T 2X3, Canada (map)
Meeting point is at the parking lot next to the Visitor Centre

Hike Leader(s): Jeanette Vincent Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Moderate (3-4 km/hr)
Terrain: Variable
Distance: 8km

Description

We will hike around Crawford Lake, a rare example of a meromictic lake and the Bruce Trail on our way to the Nassagaweya Canyon with great views and looping back to the Longhouse Village. Crawford Lake is also an important site for global scientific research. Click here to learn more about these studies and how our rare meromictic lake may help scientists define a new proposed epoch: the Anthropocene.

Additional Notes:

• Reservations are not required but are recommended. If you book online, you can reserve your spot and save money on gate fees. 
• Click to reserve.  https://www.conservationhalton.ca/parks/crawford-lake/

For the hike
What to bring: water and snacks/lunch
What to wear: Wear hiking boots or good walking shoes. Be prepared for the weather forecast of the day.

Sunday Rambles - McCormack Loop

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: General Hike
Location (Google Maps): De Lottinville Park

Hike Leader(s): Colleen Mabalay Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: 6km

Description

Arrive 15mins before 10am start.

Meet at Delottinville Park on Newcombe Rd, Dundas

Bring water. Be prepared for weather conditions (icers).

If you need to cancel on day of hike please text me at (905) 815-7100

Urban Walk: Credit River Ravine

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Urban Walk
Location (Google Maps): Erindale Park Mississauga

Hike Leader(s): Ginny Giraudi Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Moderate
Terrain: Flat
Distance: 10 km

Description

The Credit River ravine park system is beautiful in any season. Join me for this 10 km Sunday morning loop along the Credit River from Dundas to the 403 and back again through the U of T nature trail. The walk will start at the heated bathroom building in the first parking lot north of Dundas in Erindale Park and it will end at the very popular Apricot Tree Cafe on Dundas just west of Mississauga Road. Erindale park is easily accessible by Mississauga Miway buses leaving both Islington and Kipling subway stations.

Toronto End to End in 2

Hosting Club: Iroquoia, Toronto
Category: General Hike
Location (Google Maps): Meeting place and trailhead coordinates will be emailed to registered hikers the week before

Hike Leader(s): Steven White Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Brisk – 4 to 5 km/hr
Terrain: Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: 24-27 km per day

Description

This series of hikes will entitle the successful hiker to obtain the new stained glass badge – a beautiful and unique badge. This series of hikes is for the experienced hiker due to pace (Brisk) , strenuous sections of Toronto trail and length of hike each day. Hikers should anticipate fall and winter conditions – boots, icers, poles, gators, layered clothing and come water, snacks, lunch, first aid kit. We will take turns shuttling from meeting place to trailhead each day and a driver will need to take the shuttle drivers back to their car at the end of the hike. We will meet each day at 7:45 and shuttle to trailhead – hikers should arrive 15 minutes early to ensure ready to leave at 7:45. Anticipate most hikes will take approx 6-7 hours including lunch and snack breaks. Please ensure you are physically able to manage the pace of this hike, potential wintry conditions and daily distance before registering. Refunds are not permitted. Your fee includes the badge.

Welland Canals Hikes

Hosting Club: Niagara, Iroquoia
Category: General Hike
Location (Google Maps): Nov 20, 2023 – Meet in the parking lot by Allanburg Bridge 18.9km
Nov 21, 2023 – Pt 1 – Meet at Woodend Conservation, Taylor Rd 8.5km Pt 2 – Meet in Sobeys Parking lot by Johannsson’s Bar 9km
Nov 23, 2023 – Meet in the public parking lot in Port Dalhousie

Hike Leader(s): Ruth Moffatt Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Brisk – 4 to 5 km/hr, Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: Day 1 18.9km, Day 2 17.5km Day 3 7km

Description

This is a special 4 part series of hikes to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Welland Canal. I will try to have the badges available on the last day of the hike. $10 members/$15 non-members.

Please bring enough food and water for a lengthy day hike on the first two days. Our third day is a quick 7km. Dress for the expected and forecasted weather. Bring icers just in case. Please pack a first aid kit, and all the other items required for a day hike. No dogs, please.

Car Hike: Iroquoia-in-6 Fundraising Hike Series

Hike open to BTC Members only.

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Car Hike
Location (Google Maps): We will meet for the first hike at the Grimsby Lions Community Pool. Enter at 1 Elm St. at the south end of Coronation Park.

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

Pace: Moderate
Terrain: Challenging
Distance: Distances will range between 15 and 26km.

Description

This is a special series of 6 hikes to complete the entire Iroquoia section of the Bruce Trail. The badge, included in the registration fee, was designed by Joe Borges and features the endangered Jefferson Salamander.

For this E2E in 6, we will be following the trail northbound, eventually finishing at the Toronto/Iroquoia border. The Iroquoia in 6 series is geared to experienced long distance hikers with the expectation of a 3-4 km/hr pace maintained over an 18 to 25km day. This pace must also be maintained on the hills, not just on the flat or gentle gradients. No dropout points have been established and therefore hikers who must drop out, will be responsible for their own transportation back to their vehicles. Please be honest about your hiking abilities.

Hikers will be expected to be wearing proper hiking footwear and layered clothing with the expectation of cool and possible wet weather and icy trail conditions. Sufficient food and water for a full day of hiking is required and hiking poles, crampons (icers) and wet weather gear are recommended. A 10-15 minute on-trail lunch break will be scheduled. The time will depend on weather conditions.

The fee goes towards supporting the Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club, which in turn supports the mission of the Bruce Trail Conservancy, which is: “Preserving a ribbon of wilderness, for everyone, forever.”

A maximum of 1 (of the 6) hikes can be self-completed as a result of scheduling challenges, but it is intended that this badge should be earned while hiking as part of a group led by a certified hike leader. If you miss more than one hike but still complete the distances on your own, you may apply for the regular club E2E badge. The hiking schedule will be sent to all registered participants prior to our start date.

PLEASE NOTE… THERE ARE NO REFUNDS!!

This series of linear hikes will require car shuttling and you must be willing to share in the driving. Some parking locations require paid parking, and hikes that enter Halton Conservation Areas may require reservations. The fee for the E2E-in-6 does not cover any parking/entry fees for hikers who are not members of the Halton CA and/or Hamilton CA. If the group has enough hikers who are members of a CA, those passes will be utilized (thank you in advance) to minimize costs. Since conservation passes are not free, please consider nominal compensation to the pass holder. At least one hike begins in one CA and possibly ends at another, so parking fees are unavoidable for non-CA members.

Sydenham Chipper (km68.4-83.8)

Hosting Club: Beaver Valley

Location (Google Maps): Roadside parking on the Southside of Sideroad 22.
Map 31 ED 30
Km68.4

Hike Leader(s): Kristina Rettie Click here to contact the hike leader.

Pace: Brisk
Terrain: Some rocky footing, Some steep sections, Strenuous
Length of Hike: 14.9km (actually 11.5-KOA trail is closed for the season)

Description

Please join us as we chip away through the Sydenham section. This will be a series of 11 hikes that range between 13-19kms with one longer hike of 24km. We will begin our journey at the northern end of Sydenham and work our way south to try and avoid the dangers the falling leaves and snow will bring.

If you complete the 11 hikes in this series you will qualify for Sydenham’s new independent badge. Please keep track of your hikes as each hiker will be submitting their own badge request.

All hikes in this series will include a car shuttle and everyone will take a turn as a shuttle driver. Please have your vehicle passenger ready.

Nov 21 hike – meet@km68.4 carpool to 83.8

If you have any questions please text me @ 519-410-9077 (this is the most efficient way)

Please bring plenty of water and snacks/lunch

No dogs

Please text Kristina @ 519-410-9077 for morning of cancelations

COVID-19 Precautions Before, During and After your Hike

1. Each hiker joining a Bruce Trail Club organized hike must perform a self-screening check before hiking.
   Find Ontario’s self-assessment tool here: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/
2. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, stay home.

Transportation

It is the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s current policy that car shuttles are allowed.  It is at the discrepancy of individual hike leaders to make that decision.

Other Guidelines

1. Arrive 15 minutes before the start of the hike.
2. Wear sturdy footwear and appropriate attire for the weather and the terrain.
   Hiking poles are a good idea in any season, especially if the terrain is rocky or slippery. In winter, snowshoes or icers/crampons are needed when conditions dictate.
   Wearing appropriate clothing and footwear prevents injuries and shows consideration for a safe and positive group hiking experience.
3. Always carry I.D. and your health card.
4. Bring sufficient water and snacks (or lunch if indicated). A minimum of 1L of water is recommended on all hikes, and 3L is recommended for long, challenging hikes in the heat of the summer.
5. Bring sunscreen and insect repellent (for spring and summer hikes).
6. Bring your own first aid kit.
7. Please leave dogs at home.

Murray Stewart Trail and Bolton Camp Loop

Hosting Club: Dufferin Hi-Land
Category: Tuesday Hike
Location (Google Maps): (Google Maps) The Murray Stewart Trail is located in Bolton. For carpooling meet at Party City (4th Ave. at Highway 10 in Orangeville) at 8:30 am. Or from King Street and Hwy 50 (Queen Street) drive east on King Street for 0.4 km and turn left onto Humber Lea Rd. Go up the hill to Kingsview Drive and turn right. After 0.4 km, turn left onto Kingsview Drive. The trailhead is located just past the stop sign on your right at the Kingsview Drive and Longwood Drive intersection. Park on Kingsview Drive for a 9:30 am start.

Hike Leader(s): Tony Evangelista, Les Babbage, Inge Eckerich, Julie Daley Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Easy, Slippery Sections Likely
Distance: Long Hike 7 km Short Hike 3 km

Description

We will hike the Murray Stewart Trail to the end and then turn back to hike the Bolton Camp loop. The loop rejoins the  Murray Stewart Trail and heads back to the parked cars on Kingsview Drive. Those completing a shorter hike will walk to the end of the Murray Stewart Trail and then return directly to the parked cars without completing the Bolton Camp Loop.

Bring water and snacks.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Poles are recommended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Icers may be needed

Optional refreshment stop after the hike at Coffee Time in Bolton