Hike Schedule

Iroquoia Club End-to-End – 4 days (Two concurrent weekends)

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Special Event
Location (Google Maps): Two different bus loading locations (one for each wknd) will be provided to registered hikers only. Unregistered hikers who show up will not be permitted to board the buses.

Hike Leader(s): Parvinder Sachdeva Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Brisk – 4 to 5 km/hr
Terrain: Dependent on Conditions
Distance: 122km (30-35 each day) – Self-paced with checkpoint deadlines

Description

Please join us for the annual Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club self-paced End-to-End. You can enjoy and complete the entire club distance of 122 km over four days (approximately 30-35km each day).

Please be honest about your physical abilities. These 4 days are not recommended for new hikers or anyone who hasn’t completed these distances recently.
The registration fee is non-refundable.

The hikes will traverse the varied and often strenuous terrain from Grimbsy in the south, to the 401 in Milton. You will pass many waterfalls and beautiful vistas. Checkpoint stations will be approximately every 10 km offering snacks, water refill, and assistance. Please bring your own First Aid Kit.

The hike is $95 for members and $110 for non-members and includes bus transportation from the meeting point to the hike starting point, refreshments, parking, permit costs, and the official E2E badge. The fee is non-refundable. After costs, the proceeds go to the Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club who supports The Bruce Trail Conservancy mission of “Preserving a ribbon of wilderness, for everyone, forever.”

Registration opens at 8am on April 1, 2024 for Bruce Trail Conservancy members only. You may be a member of any club. If any spots are still available after the first two weeks, registration will also be opened for non-members at a cost of $110. Like last year, it may be limited to only one bus.

Details will be emailed to participants once registration is received. As mentioned, these are longer hikes and are not suitable for beginning hikers. For both events, hikers are expected to maintain an average pace of 4 km/hr (or more). Hikers will be required to reach each checkpoint on each day by a prescribed time in order to continue, and ensure everyone is off the trail before dark. Please be aware that volunteers are running this event and will  be waiting.

Space is limited, hikes go rain or shine, and no dogs are permitted on this event. For questions, please contact Parvinder Sachdeva at pavvysingh@gmail.com

Saturday Shorts: Riverside Woods

Hike open to BTC Members only.

Hosting Club: Caledon Hills
Category: General
Location (Google Maps): Meet at 9 am at the BTC parking lot, 713377 1st Line EHS, Mono. It is easier to go north on 1st Line from Side Road 5 than it is to go south on 1st Line from Hockley Road.

Hike Leader(s): Elizabeth Ganong Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hour
Terrain: Moderate – some hills and/or some poor footing, Strenuous – hilly with steep climbs and some poor footing
Distance: Approximately 6.5 km

Description

Looking to get out on a Saturday but not give up your whole day? Saturday Shorts, a hiking series, will get you out in a small group on a short hike. This Saturday’s hike is another hilly one as we use all side trails to explore Riverside Woods (just south of Hockley Valley Nature Reserve). We’ll hike for about 6.5 km, including walking out to 2nd Line to take a closer look at the heritage house currently owned by the Bruce Trail. Bring water and a snack, if desired. There will be a short break. No dogs please.

Car Hike: Jefferson Forest and Bond Lake

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Car Hike
Location (Google Maps): 1235-1245 Bethesda Side Rd, Richmond Hill, ON L4E 1A2 ( Bethesda Trail Head Parking lot)

Hike Leader(s): Amir Alemohammad Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Moderate (3-4 km/hr)
Terrain: Hilly, Level 2 (Intermediate – some hills and uneven surfaces, rocks and roots underfoot), Variable
Distance: 12-14 km

Description

Join us for a wonderful hike in Jefferson Forest and have a snack/lunch beside  the Bond Lake with amazing early fall views. We will hike among tall trees and bushes of the Jefferson Forest and across the Bayview-Yonge corridor to reach to the Bond Lake. Boots mandatory, poles recommended, bring at least 2L of water, bug spray, sunscreen, snack/lunch and dress according to the weather conditions. Sorry dogs are not allowed in this hike. Please avoid parking along the road. Difficulty Level: 2 (Moderate)

Please arrive @8:00 AM for start 8:15 AM.

Urban Walk: McMichael Art Gallery via William Granger Greenway (Humber Trail)

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Urban Walk
Location (Google Maps): Meet no later than 09.30 am at the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre TTC station. From there, we will use YRT public transport buses to get to our hiking starting point (if using a Presto Card the YRT bus is free under the “One Fare” program). If you prefer to drive meet us at the corner of Napa Valley Ave and Islington Ave at 10:30 (there is a Tim Horton’s at the corner). Please contact the hike leader for meeting instructions and parking options if driving to the start of the hike.

Hike Leader(s): Leonora Rochwerger Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Moderate (3-4 km/hr)
Terrain: Flat, Level 1 (Easy – mostly on flat, well maintained trails with hard-packed surface)
Distance: 8.5 km

Description

Join us for a 8.5 km hike along the William Granger Greenway  (Humber Trail), to the McMichael Art Gallery and back. We will spend time at the Art Gallery, where you will have the option of visiting the current exhibits and/or exploring the beautiful grounds. Entrance to the Gallery is free on that day. Difficulty Level: Easy – flat terrain, packed gravel and paved surfaces

Route map: https://onthegomap.com/s/n5vnrdkv

How to get there and get home:  We will meet as a group no later than 09.30 at the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre TTC station. From there, we will use YRT public transport buses to get to our hiking starting point.

If you are driving, you can meet us at the corner of Napa Valley and Islington at 10:30 (there is a Tim Horton’s at the corner). Please contact the hike leader for meeting instructions and parking options.

To go back, we will use YRT public transport to return  to Vaughan TTC station.

What to bring: Proper walking /hiking shoes, at least 2 litres of water, sunscreen, hat, bug repellent if used and a packed lunch. Lunch is also available at the Gallery cafe. Appropriate clothing for the weather. No dogs allowed.

For more information about the Art Gallery, visit: https://mcmichael.com/

Ball's Falls Hike 10km + Farm Fruit Pick Up

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Car Hike
Location (Google Maps): Jordan Hollow Park, GPS (43.142022, -79.372672)

Hike Leader(s): Alina Lin

Pace: Moderate (3-4 km/hr)
Terrain: Challenging, Hilly, Level 2 (Intermediate – some hills and uneven surfaces, rocks and roots underfoot), Rocky, Variable
Distance: Approximately 10 km

Description

We will hike along the Bruce Trail and side trails for around 10KM, in and around the Ball’s Falls Conservation area. The hike will last about two and half hours.

Bring lunch and at least 1L of water. Wear proper clothing for the weather. Hiking boots are strongly recommended. No dogs or kids under 13 years of old. Difficulty Level: 2 (Moderate)

After hike, you are welcome to join me for some fun of picking-up-your-own-fruit at Cherry Avenue Farms, for blue plums, and  at Lipsitt Orchards, for grapes. Picking up your own activity is optional and there are fees charged by the farms. According to the information given, the entrance fee for Cherry Avenue Farms is $8 per person and comes with a 2L basket for filling. For grape pick up, Lipsitt Orchards may offer different sized basket at different prices.

2:00 pm NBTC Landowner Appreciation Celebration 2024

Hike open to BTC Members only.

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: Leisurely
Location (Google Maps): Ball’s Falls Conservation Area – Centre for Conservation, Elgin Room – 3292 Sixth Ave. Lincoln. Park in the main parking area it is free for the event.

Hike Leader(s): Sam Rutherford Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely
Terrain: Easy
Distance: 1 km

Description

Attention all pastry chefs and fans of the Great Canadian Baking Show! Why not use your culinary skills to impress our valued landowners?

We are looking for hand held treats (ex. squares, tarts, cookies, shortbreads, brownies) for our annual Landowner Appreciation Celebration. We are asking bakers to bring along some homemade sweets for 6-8 people to enjoy.

The event will feature biodiversity hikes which you can sign up for on the day along with information from the biodiversity committee and BTC land stewardship. NBTC merchandise will be available for purchase at the event. Appetizers catered by Smoke & Barrel Niagara. Cash bar. Prize draws. Live music with Brad Boland. Come out and say thank you to our landowners for allowing us to hike across their private properties.

3:00 pm Biodiversity Hikes at Ball’s Falls – Landowner Appreciation Celebration

Hike open to BTC Members only.

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: Loop
Location (Google Maps): Ball’s Falls Conservation Area, Centre for Conservation, Glen Elgin Room, 3292 Sixth Ave., Lincoln. Park in the main parking area it is free for the event.

Hike Leader(s): Sam Rutherford Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely
Terrain: Easy
Distance: 5 kms

Description

Join us on this Biodiversity Hike led by NBTC nature hike leaders & learn about the ecosystems in this area in recognition of our LANDOWNER APPRECIATION CELEBRATION! Please meet at the Glen Elgin Room and we will split into smaller groups leaving at 3:00 and 3:30 pm depending on numbers.

Come for the hike but stay for the celebration! There will be food by Smoke & Barrel Niagara, a cash bar, prize raffle, biodiversity displays, merchandise sales, live music by Brad Boland and much more! A great opportunity to meet our Niagara landowners and to say thank you for allowing us to cross their private properties.

Hike 2 of 7 - Caledon Hills E2E

Hosting Club: Caledon Hills
Category: End-to-End
Location (Google Maps): Meet at 9:15 at Willoughby Road.
Shuttle to start at Creditview Rd. and the Grange Side Road.

Hike Leader(s): Jennie Greenfield Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hour
Terrain: Moderate – some hills and/or some poor footing, Strenuous – hilly with steep climbs and some poor footing
Distance: 12.15 km

Description

Hike 2 of 7 for Caledon Hills E2E.  Follows recent trail changes around the Forks of the Credit area

5.2 to 15.9 + 1.45 side trails = 12.15 km (Edition 31)

This hike can be logged towards the “60 for 60th Anniversary” badge

Beaver Bites #3 of 8

Hosting Club: Beaver Valley

Location (Google Maps): Park on 7A, km 82.4, Map 26, ED 31

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

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Moderate, Some rocky footing, Some steep sections, Strenuous
Length of Hike: 12.5km

Description

On this hike we will take the main trail south to Stone Foundation Side Trail, Wodehouse Karst Side Trail and Kimberley Forest Side Trail.

Add on – Mushroom Hunter Badge. Let’s go hunting for mushrooms and other fungi. The magic of the search is in the slowing down and noticing. From the forest floor to trunks of trees, keep a keen eye out as you search for a minimum of 20 different varieties of fungi.

Bring a snack and water!

Please no dogs

Text Kristina @ 519-410-9077 for morning of cancellations.

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.
3. Personal Protective Equipment:
   • Hikers may choose to wear masks

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.

Afternoon Hike - Halton Agreement Forest

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Afternoon/Evening Hikes
Location (Google Maps): Meet roadside on 10 Side Road, just east of Guelph Line, north of Campbellville.

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

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: About 8 kms

Description

We will hike around several of the bike trails.  Please bring bug spray/bug net, as this Forest is very buggy.