Hike Schedule

9:00 am Celebrate Winter with Tai Chi at Woodend

Hosting Club: Niagara
Category: Loop
Location (Google Maps):

Woodend Conservation Area – km 15.5; Enter from Taylor Rd., 140 north of Warner Rd.

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

Pace: Medium
Terrain: Moderate
Distance: 6 km

Description

The celebration of Winter 2025 continues! Join in a hike that includes intermittent simple Tai Chi movement breaks led by Mike VanNatter. Gaiters, hiking poles and/or icers are recommended, depending on the conditions.

This hike counts as 1 of 15 needed for a 2024/2025 Winter badge.

Family Day in Tobermory – Bruce Trail Hike (Rescheduled)

Hosting Club: Peninsula
Category: Winter Hikes
Location (Google Maps): Bruce Peninsula National Park at the Visitor’s Centre located at 120 Chi sin tib dek Rd, Tobermory ON. Meet at the front of the Visitor’s Centre.

Hike Leader(s): Shawn Radcliffe Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely (2.0 – 3.0 km/h): A relaxed pace with frequent breaks and a focus on enjoyment., Medium (3.0 – 4.5 km/h): A comfortable pace for most hikers with steady progress.
Terrain: Moderate: Rolling hills, mild slopes and rocky paths.
Distance: 4.8 km

Description

Family Day in Tobermory! Bruce Trail Hike, Campfire at the Bruce Peninsula National Park Visitor Centre and Family Activities at the Tobermory Community Centre!

Our Family Day hike starts at the BPNP Visitor’s Centre. We will hike the  Main Bruce Trail to the Burnt Loop Side Trail. This is a lovely winter hike (~4.8 km) through an enchanting forest with pretty views of Georgian Bay, Flower Pot and Bear’s Rump Islands taking approximately 2 1/2 hours. We will hike at steady pace with brief stops for drinks/snacks and water views.

The terrain on the first part of this trail is level, however the Burnt Loop Side Trail is a meandering, rocky trail with some short ups and downs and includes a short rocky beach section. If snow is deep, the remainder of the hike may be challenging for some. For those wishing to return to the Visitor Centre after reaching our first lookout (~1 km), a PBTC Hike Leader will return with you while the rest of the hiking group continues.

Winter hikes require extra thought and preparation. Weather can be unpredictable. Be prepared to bring snowshoes, icers and gators (optional). Hiking poles are essential for winter hikes. Make sure to wear layers of clothing, warm winter hat, winter hiking boots and mittens. Bring a light backpack for water and snacks.

Don’t have your own snowshoes? No problem! Arrive early to the Park Visitors Centre to borrow a pair of snowshoes for this hike (limited supplies).

After the hike, everyone is welcome to gather together by the fireplace or outdoor campfire at the Visitor’s Centre. Indoor washrooms are available here. The hike is free. However, park admission and parking fees apply.

Saturday Shorts: Riverside Woods Nature Reserve

Hike open to BTC Members only.

Hosting Club: Caledon Hills
Category: General
Location (Google Maps): Meet at 10 am at the BTC parking lot, 713377 1st Line EHS, Mono. Go north on 1st Line from Side Road 5. Access is closed going south on 1st Line from Hockley Road during the winter. It is best to aim for arriving around 9:45, so we can start hiking as close to 10 am as possible. Thanks!

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
Distance: Between 4 and 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 explores Riverside Woods on side trails and gentler nature reserve trails on a 4 or 5 km route. Be prepared for winter conditions by bringing warm gear, poles, and icers. You are encouraged to bring water and a snack. No dogs please.

Registrants can expect a reminder/update message one or two days before the hike.

If desired, this hike may be used towards the Caledon Winter Hiking Badge (5 winter hikes in the Caledon section that are 1 ½ hours or longer in length). Please keep a log of your hikes and follow the directions on the CHBTC website under Club Badges to receive your badge.

Urban Walk: Waterfront Trail 9/11 – Ajax GO to Pickering GO

Hike open to BTC Members only.

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: GO Train Hike
Location (Google Maps): Canada

Hike Leader(s): Brian Rideout Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Moderate (3-4 km/hr)
Terrain: Flat
Distance: 11 km

Description

Please join me under the clock in the Great Hall at Union Station by 9:05 am.  We will take the eastbound Lakeshore Train departing Union Station GO at 9:20 am, arriving Ajax GO at 10:15 am.  You may choose to join the group at Ajax GO Station.

We will hike south to Lake Ontario (washrooms in the park), west to Sandy Beach Rd, and north to Bayly St with a pub stop at Irish Times adjacent to Pickering GO. Trains to Toronto depart at 25 minutes and 55 minutes after the hour.

Here is an online map of our route (please click on the link): Ajax to Pickering

You can buy a GO Transit day pass for $10.

Terra Cotta/Heritage Road loop

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: General Hike
Location (Google Maps): Roadside on Winston Churchill Blvd, just north of Terra Cotta Conservation Area. Meet at 9:15 am, earlier if you can, as parking is limited.

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: 8.5 kms

Description

Hiking along the main trail, across Heritage Rd and around to the Rockside Side Trail and back on the main trail to the cars. This trail has some easy parts and some challenging rocky parts, so come prepared. There’s a bit of road walking.  Bring icers for your boots.

Urban Walk: Waterfront Trail 8/11 – Beechgrove (Port Union) to Pickering

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: GO Train Hike
Location (Google Maps): Canada

Hike Leader(s): Brian Rideout Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Moderate (3-4 km/hr)
Terrain: Flat
Distance: 11.9 km

Description

Please meet me at Kennedy Station by 10:04 am.  We will take the 86 Scarborough bus departing 10:19 am. We will transfer to the 54 Lawrence Ave bus, arriving at Port Union Rd at 10:54 am. We start hiking 11:00 am.

We will hike south to Lake Ontario and along the Waterfront Trail through Port Union and Rouge Hill to Pickering GO. The estimated distance is 9.8 km.  Here is an online map of our route – Port Union to Pickering.

Bring a snack, at least 2 liters of water, and icers.  Dress for cold weather.

Avon Trail End to End (+ the Side Trails)

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Special Event
Location (Google Maps): Conestogo to St. Mary’s

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: Dependent on Conditions, Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: Varies 20-24km per day

Description

Occasionally hikes are offered outside of the Bruce Trail as a way to reach our members that live in other areas. It is also a way to highlight other hiking trails in Ontario and to promote/support them.

Please join us for an end to end hike on the Avon Trail from March 10 until March 16. We will start in Conestogo and make our way to St. Mary’s and hike the side trails along the way (with the exception of the Wildwood South Trail). The total distance over the 7 days is about 153km. Please do not overestimate your ability for this series of hikes. It is a group hike but everyone is expected to keep pace with the person in front of them. Please do not register for this hike unless you can commit to all 7 days.

Please bring ample water and enough food for a full day hike. There will be a short morning break and lunch break. Everyone is expected to participate in the car shuttle in a fair manner – please ensure you have a minimum of 4 seatbelts available.

Membership with the Avon Trail is strongly encouraged. https://avontrail.ca/membership-levels/

If you are looking to complete other trails for the Hike Ontario badges, this one will fit in nicely. https://hikeontario.com/programs/long-distance-hiker-awards/

Completion of this series will qualify you for 2 badges plus the 50th anniversary badge (optional). Please note, if you have not completed the Wildwood Challenge club fundraiser held in October each year, you can complete the Wildwood South Trail 11.5km during this week and I will provide a shuttle for you.

Sweetwater Series - Hike 1 - Terra Cotta

Hosting Club: Caledon Hills
Category: General
Location (Google Maps): P1 – At Terra Cotta Conservation Area (entry fee – $8 per person at the gate)

14452 Winston Churchill Blvd, Halton Hills

Hike Leader(s): Jennie Greenfield; 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
Distance: 6 km

Description

This series of five hikes celebrates the glorious sugar maple as we move from winter towards spring.  The trails are all in or near the Caledon section of the Bruce Trail and range from 7 to 10 km in length.

Register individually for one, a few, or all of the Sweetwater Badge Hikes taking place on Mondays.

Participants who complete the five hikes will be eligible to receive a Sweetwater badge.   (Note:  If you wish to purchase a badge, the cost is $10.00 for BTC members and $15.00 for non-members.)

Hike 1 is a loop hike on the Terra Cotta Conservation Area trails past some tap lines and a sugar shack.

Moderate – difficult under winter conditions

Bring your choice of hydration and snacks. Hiking boots and icers/crampons are required.

Participants will be notified the night before if a hike must be cancelled due to inclement weather.

Caledon Hills Fandango Pentango (9 hikes, 5 badges)

Hike open to BTC Members only.

Hosting Club: Caledon Hills
Category: End-to-End
Location (Google Maps): Mono Community Centre (County Rd. 8)

Hike Leader(s): Heather Murch Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Brisk – 4 to 5 km/hour
Terrain: Strenuous – hilly with steep climbs and some poor footing
Distance: 21.1 km

Description

It’s been 5 years since the Quadrango Fandango and so it seems fitting the hike series be renamed to celebrate those 5 years! There will be 5 badges awarded to those who complete 9 hikes over 4 weeks; mostly on Tuesday/Wednesday.

March 11/12/13, 18/19/25/26 and April 1 & 2 with the 3rd held in reserve should we need to cancel a hike due to inclement weather.

The hikes are no more than 22 km.

The registration fee includes 5 badges.
Exciting new badges:
1. Badlands Stained Glass series (fundraiser E2E) $30
2. Redside Dace, a little at-risk fish (independent E2E) $10
3. Sideways (40 km of side trails) $10
We will also meet the requirements for:
4. Frosty-Five badge (5 hikes by Mar 20) $10
5. Discovery badge (learn along the way!) $10

Participants must be BTC members and pay for all badges ($70) when registering; as a fundraiser for the Caledon Hills Club of the BTC.  The badges will be awarded on the final hike of the series.

There will be no shuttling; all hikes are in & out so you can make up a hike on your own if needed. Carpooling is encouraged to minimize parking requirements. We’ll start in the north at the Mono Community Centre. The hikes range from 17.9 to 21.6 km. I’ll send out the full itinerary a few days before we start.

Expect winter conditions – icers are required and snow shoes are recommended. You’ll need layered clothing, boots & poles and a raincoat. Bring lots of water, a snack and lunch. You’ll want to arrive by 8:00 am as the hikes start at 8:15 sharp.

Also expect to have fun! We will be challenged by Caledon Hills in the winter and we will also do some learning along the way.  I’m looking forward to this adventure!

Halton Agreement Forest

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: General Hike
Location (Google Maps): Meet at the corner of 10 Side Road and 4th Line at 9:15 am.

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: 8 kms

Description

We will hike the bike trails around a big loop.  Bring icers.  Hike is dependent on weather.