FALL DISCOVERY HIKES

 

Join us of a day of hiking and learning about the animals, plants, history, geography and connections of St. Clair Ravine Park on Saturday October 28, 2023 from 1:00 - 3:00pm.

ALL HIKES WILL MEET AT WARDEN HILLLTOP COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 1:00PM

Warden Hilltop C.C. located at 25 Mendelssohn St, Scarborough, ON M1L 0G6.

MEET ON THE BASKETBALL COURT IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING

Lots of parking in the Warden Subway Station North Lot, take TTC or ride your bike!

We will be offering a variety of hikes for all ages and hiking levels including:

Kid's Scavenger Hunt Hike - 400m (30min.)

Tree Identification Hike - 3 km (1 hour)

Animal Tracking Hike - 4 km (1.5 hours)

Meadoway Hike - 8 km (2 hours)

Rouge National Urban Park Hike 19.1 km (5 hours)

This is a family friendly event for all ages and abilities.  There is a hike for every level of hiker from beginner to advanced.

Hike Details

Kid's Scavenger Hunt Hike - 400m (30min.) - Family

This 400m hike is designed for kids and kids at hark.  Replicas of local animals will be hidden along one of the ravine trails and participants try to find and identify as many as they can.

Tree Identification Hike 3 km (1 hour) - Beginner

A city of Toronto Arborist will lead a hike and share their knowledge of the trees that populate St. Clair Ravine Park including natives and invasive species.

Animal Tracking Hike - 4 km (1.5 hours) - Beginner

Wolfgang Quan of the Pine Project will be leading an informative animal tracking hike to learn about all the animals living in our neighbourhood in St. Clair Ravine Park.  You will learn a lot on this hike especially that it is not all about the footprints!

Meadoway Hike - 8 km (2 hours) - Intermediate

St. Clair Ravine Park connects many parts of our neighbourhood but most notably to the proposed West Scarborough Rail which connects to the Meadoway. Join this hike that passes a pioneer cemetary, skirts the GECO World War 2 Bomb Girls Factory and follows the now abandoned RT Transit Line to a pedestrian bridge that overlooks the Meadoway.

Rouge National Urban Park Hike 19.1 km (5 hours) - Advanced

Last year 12 intrepid souls embarked on a 19.1 km epic hike adventure to from Warden Hilltop Community Centre to Rouge National Urban Park and the Greenbelt; 7 made it to the end!  We plan to repeat that hike with even more hikers this year.  The hike starts on the proposed West Scarborough Rail Trail that is adjacent to St. Clair Ravine Park then along the Meadoway to Rouge National Urban Park. Please note the meeting time a place are different from the other hikes.  Advanced hikers only will meet at Warden Hilltop C.C. at 1:00pm to embark on the hike to make it there before dark.  Start point, end point, shuttle and hike details below. 

The hike will be led by Laura Magee Strachan who is an experienced hike leader and an active volunteer for Let's Hike TO. She loves sharing her appreciation of the outdoors with others and welcoming new hikers into the outdoor community.

Hike Details: 

Arrival Time: Please arrive by 12:45pm for this hike that leaves at 1:00pm sharp!

Hike Time: 5-6 hours

Hike Pace: ~4 km/hr

End Point: Rouge National Urban Park, Glen Eagles Vista, 7 Twyn Rivers Dr, Toronto, ON M1B 5R6

Return: Please arrange for your own transportation back from Rouge Park or set up a shuttle. 

What to bring: Dress for the weather, as this is a rain or shine event. Pack snacks and plenty of water!

Drop out points: there will be opportunities to drop out at any point, and return by TTC.