Hike Schedule

9:00 am Niagara-on-the-Lake Tour

Hosting Club: Niagara

Location (Google Maps): Veterans Memorial Park, park just outside the park on King Street

Hike Leader(s): Robin Garrett Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Easy
Distance: 6-7 km

Description

Each Friday we will explore different neighbourhoods, trails and parkland throughout Historic Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Moderate pace with some weeks entirely on sidewalks and roads while others may include a mix of trails and paved pathways. Great way to build up endurance for longer more strenuous hikes.

Prepare for cooler windy conditions on open parkland and along Lake Ontario and Niagara River trails.

Plan to stay for conversation and a warm cup of coffee or tea at Sweets & Swirls, Community Centre, Niagara Stone Road, NOTL

Spring & Migration Monitor Hike

Hosting Club: Peninsula

Location (Google Maps): Borchardt Rd Parking Lot – km 108.5 in the 31st Ed Manual

Hike Leader(s): Tamara Wilson Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely
Terrain: Difficult
Distance: 6km

Description

Starting on the Borchardt Rd parking lot (km 108.7), we will follow the Minhinnik ST to the Lillie Family parking area on Britain Lk Rd at the Cotrill Lake ST (110.8 km) we will loop around the Cotrill Lk ST spending time on the shores looking for the arrival of water fowl.  On the return trip to the cars, we will follow the Main Trail South, looking for grebes, loons and other shoreline birds that frequent Dyers Bay.  We will visit the Devil’s Monument viewing platform, and check out the waterfall before heading back to the parking lot along Devil’s Monument ST and the Minhinnik to Borchardt Rd. Throughout our hike, we will keep an eye out for the arrival of spring flowers and other harbingers of spring.  This route is quite rocky in places with stairs.  The Trail may be wet and muddy around Cotrill Lake. We will be taking stairs down to the viewing platform and the waterfall. Total distance is around 8 km.  This hike may take 3 hours to complete.  Pack snacks and drinks accordingly.

9:00 am Hydro Hill Training

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: In and Out
Location (Google Maps):

Lockhart Drive, St Catharines, by the large yellow swing gate.

Hike Leader(s): Suzanne Gourluck Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Brisk
Terrain: Strenuous
Distance: 6 kms

Description

This challenging “hike” is intended for those wishing to train for future challenging hikes. Choose your own pace to go up and down the moderately steep hill for 90 minutes with a brief flat walk partway through. The terrain is a hard packed gravel surface. Bring water, hiking poles, snack and dress for the weather.

9:00 Black History in NOTL: In Honour of Chloe Cooley

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: In and Out
Location (Google Maps):

General Brock Side Trail Parking Area- on Niagara River Parkway, east of the John St. E intersection

Hike Leader(s): Karen Couch Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Brisk
Terrain: Easy
Distance: 16 kms

Description

On March 14, 1793 Chloe Cooley, an enslaved Black woman living in Queenston, strongly resisted as she was bound, thrown in a boat and taken across the river to a new enslaver in the United States. On 21 MAR, 1793, two men testified to her capture at the Executive Council of Upper Canada (at Navy Hall). Her brave act of resistance led to the 1793 Act to Limit Slavery, the first of its kind in the British Empire. This paved the way to freedom for so many others like Chloe & set the stage for the great freedom movement of enslaved African Americans to Canada.

Participants will walk along the Niagara Parkway to a plaque that marks the place where this incident may have place, then return along the same route with a stop at Navy Hall, the site where Executive Council met.

Open the link below to view the Chloe Cooley Heritage Minute.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLPMlNSQjOg

*This hike counts as 1 of 3 required hikes towards the Black History badge. If you have met the requirements, and are interested in a badge, please remember to bring $10.*

PLEASE NOTE: Hikes are offered by BTC volunteers who have committed to their own learning, to be able to offer informative and contemplative hike experiences. These hikes are open to all & offered in a spirit of mutual leaning and inclusion.

9:30am - Fundraiser Toronto End to End - 3 Hikes for the Limehouse Arch Badge

Hosting Club: Iroquoia, Toronto
Category: General Hike
Location (Google Maps): Parking capacity is in brackets.
March 23 – Meet on 3rd line (Charles Hildebrandt Side Trail)) – 15kms
March 24 – Meet at Scottsdale Farm on Trafalgar Rd Parking Lot – 14.4kms
March 30 – Meet at Roadside pkg at Boston Mills Rd just west of the Mississauga Rd intersection. Note: Driveway is private property . 43.750866, -79.951452 (5) 17km

Hike Leader(s): Anita Bergsma Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: Varies – two long days and one short one.

Description

Join us for this special 3 day Toronto End to End this spring on March 23, 24, and 30, 2024.  The hikes will be at a moderate pace 3-4km per hour. This is suitable for intermediate to advanced hikers.

We will be using hiker’s vehicles to shuttle between to our start from our meeting point. As well, there will be entry costs at Hilton Falls.  (If you are a member of  Halton Conservation, please bring your pass). Costs will be shared amongst the hikers unless you have a pass.

Proper hiking boots is a must!  Bring hiking poles (if you use them), food, snacks, 2l of water, hat, and rain gear. It may be cool, wet or warm. Please check the weather forecast each day before heading out.

Arrive by 9:30 am to check in. Once everyone has arrived, we will proceed and drive to the starting point.

Your fee includes the guidance and organization of a volunteer hike leader. Everyone will receive their Stained-glass End to End badge upon completion which depicts the historic Limehouse Arch.
If you must miss a day but can make it up before the last scheduled hike, you will still qualify for this special badge. This is a fundraising hike for the Bruce Trail Club. Proceeds go to the Toronto Club to support the trail infrastructure and to the Bruce Trail Conservancy mission “Protecting this ribbon of wilderness, for every one, forever.”

Please, no dogs or children.

There are no refunds for this hike series. Please ensure you are physically capable of these distances before signing up for this hike.

If you have any questions, please enquire to the hike leader through this form.

Fisher's Pond

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

Hike Leader(s): Freddy Wang Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Strenuous – Hilly with steep climbs and some poor footing
Distance: 6.5

Description

We will meet at the roadside parking where the Bruce Trail crosses Guelph Line, south of No. 1 Sideroad. Please do not block the farm gate.

We’ll be hiking along the main trail to the Fisher’s Pond Side trail, making a loop around the pond, then returning back along the same trail to our cars.

Bring water, snacks, and clothing layers. Poles are optional. Depending on trail conditions, icers may be helpful, especially as there are some hills.

Boots are advised as there may be some muddy sections.

Please arrive at 8:45 am as we will leave promptly at 9:00 am.

Please check email before leaving home. Please contact the hike leader if you need to cancel last minute. Thank you.

Hopeness, Jack Poste and Don Irish Side Trails

Hosting Club: Peninsula

Location (Google Maps):

Roadside Parking at the south end of Cathedral Dr, Lion’s Head, ON N0H 1W0, Canada

Hike Leader(s): Saabir Sohrab Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Difficult, Moderate
Distance: 14 Approx.

Description

This hike is through the mature forest of Hope Bay Forest Provincial Nature Reserve.  We will hike the Hopeness, Jack Poste and Don Irish Side Trails and loop back on the main trail for some gorgeous lookouts overlooking the Hope Bay.

Dress according to weather. Bring water, lunch and wear appropriate footwear for rugged terrain.

Time commitment is approximately 5hrs.

Map #37 edition 31

Car Hike: Hike #3 to earn the Dufferin Hi-Land Youth and/or Side Trails Badge!

Hosting Club: Toronto, Caledon Hills, Dufferin Hi-Land
Category: Car Hike
Location (Google Maps): We will meet at Mono Cliffs Provincial Park at 795086 3rd Line EHS (Map 19 of the Bruce Trail Reference Guide, Edition 31). Note that reservations and fees apply to this parking lot.

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

Pace: Leisurely
Terrain: Variable
Distance: 9 km

Description

Calling all families with children who love hiking and earning badges!!!

This is the third in a series of ten hikes that will be offered throughout 2024 on a roughly monthly basis so that children who are 15 years of age and younger can earn the Dufferin Hi-Land Adventurer Youth Badge and their parents/guardians can earn the Dufferin Hi-Land Side Trails Badge at the same time!!!  Details regarding the requirements for each badge can be found here: https://dufferinbrucetrailclub.org/dufferin-bruce-trail-club-badges/  Each of the ten hikes will be a loop hike so no car shuttles will be needed, and each hike will cover a distance of approximately 6-9 km hiked at a leisurely pace (2-3 km/h) so children and adults alike can participate.

This third hike will be a late winter/early spring hike to explore some side trails within and south of Mono Cliffs Provincial Park, specifically the Carriage Side Trail, the South Outlier Connector, the South Outlier Loop Trail, and the Whitetail Refuge Side Trail (this last side trail is part of the Caledon Hills section of the Bruce Trail).  Please dress appropriately for a late winter/early spring hike by dressing in layers (wear an inner layer that wicks sweat away from your skin, a middle layer that keeps you warm, and an outer layer that protects you from wind and snow), wearing gloves/mittens and a toque, and wearing warm and comfortable footwear that has good traction in snow/ice (icers placed over your boots work great!).  Hiking poles or walking sticks are an asset since they will help keep you balanced if the ground is slippery.  As well, make sure you bring enough water and food for a 3-4 hour hike since we’ll be covering a total distance of approximately 9 km.

*Please note that this hike will begin at a later time than the other hikes in this series because it involves a paid parking lot at Mono Cliffs Provincial Park with set time slots.  I will email people registered for this hike five days before the day of the hike so they can reserve their parking space at Mono Cliffs Provincial Park beforehand.  The cost to park for a 4-hour time slot at Mono Cliffs Provincial Park is $8.50.

Hopefully you’ll be able to join me on Sunday, March 24th!  Until then, happy hiking, everyone!

8:00 pm Moonlight Night Hike in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: Night
Location (Google Maps): Veteran’s Memorial Park, park just outside the park on King St.

Hike Leader(s): Robin Garrett Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Easy
Distance: 6-7 km

Description

Moonlight Night Hike – Take in the magic of the rising moon over Lake Ontario and the Niagara River. This hike includes a stop to connect with your senses – sights, sounds, smells and the rhythm of your breath. Counts towards your night hike badge (5 night hikes).