Free guided walks - October schedule

Sunday, October 1

Wild in the City

Join Doug and discuss the amazing ways plants and animals can adapt to urban growth and the presence of humans in their environment.

• Leaders: Doug, Bob
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Tallgrass Trek
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham - oTENTiks (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Slow
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Dog Friendly

Saturday, October 7

Discovering Lake Ontario

Join Carolyn to explore how animal and humans have adapted to Lake Ontario's changing shoreline. Please note: no portable toilets are available at Rouge Beach.

• Leader: Carolyn, Doug, Courtney
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Rouge Marsh Trail
• Transit Accessible: Yes
• Meeting point: 195 Rouge Hills Dr., Scarborough – lower parking lot
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Service dogs only

Worldwide Photo Walk

Calling all photographers and enthusiasts to join walk leader Gary on a fun walk, snapping photos, and mingling! Please bring extra water for this long walk.

• Leaders: Gary, Geri
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Monarch Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham - oTENTiks (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 5 km – 8 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Slow
• Duration: 3 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Service dogs only

Sunday, October 8

Xplorers!

Calling all junior hikers ages 6 to 12 and their families! Take a break from screen time and join Marie for some green time.

• Leaders: Marie, Richard
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Northeast Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7445 Elgin Mills Rd E, Markham – parking lot
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Dog Friendly

Saturday, October 14

Agriculture in the Rouge

Agriculture is a big part of RNUP. We will look at current practices and check out what wildlife thrives on farmland.

• Leaders: Peter V., Katharina
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Central Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7445 Elgin Mills Rd E, Markham – parking lot
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Service dogs only

Sunday, October 15

Xplorers – Signs of Autumn

Join Marilyn on a scavenger hunt! Can you spot a nest that’s done its job? See insects bedding down? Identify birds and whether they stay or head south? Your family will enjoy discovering the world around you!

• Leaders: Marilyn, Bob
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Harvest Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7445 Elgin Mills Rd E, Markham – parking lot
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Dog Friendly

Conifers of the Rouge

Get to know the conifers that call Rouge National Urban Park home.

• Leaders: Stephen, Tracy
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Northeast Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 1867 Concession Road 2, Whitchurch-Stouffville – parking lot
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Dog Friendly

Saturday, October 21

Autumn in the Rouge

Join walk leader Marie to learn about fall colours, where little critters go in the autumn & other Rouge fun facts!

• Leaders: Marie, Anne G.
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Woodland Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 19 Reesor Rd., Scarborough – parking lot
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Dog Friendly

Pay Attention!

Join Katharina as we explore the mindful, moment by moment activity of walking. Focus on the sights and sounds of the park, and the feelings and sensations in the body as we experience the ups and downs of the trail together.

• Leaders: Katharina, Courtney
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Tanglewood Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham - oTENTiks (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Slow
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Service dogs only

Sunday, October 22

Winter Hiking… Are you Ready?

Fall is ending soon…Join walk leader Larry and learn some tips for safe and enjoyable winter hikes and outdoor activities.

• Leaders: Larry, Gary
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Central Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7445 Elgin Mills Rd E, Markham – parking lot
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Service dogs only

Saturday, October 28

Challenging Walk of the Month

Join Moaz for a challenging and energizing hike while enjoying the sights and sounds of nature in the Rouge National Urban Park. Bring your own water bottle (and light snacks). Please note that if you have joint or mobility issues, this strenuous hike may not be appropriate for you, as it covers steep hills and rough terrain at a fast pace. Please bring extra water for this long walk.

• Leaders: Moaz, Emmylou
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Mast Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 55 Twyn Rivers Drive, Scarborough – parking lot
• Distance: 8+ km
• Difficulty: Moderate to difficult, depending on experience, with some steep hills and stairs
• Pace: Fast
• Duration: 3 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Service dogs only

Sunday, October 29

Mysteries of Migration

Join Glen to learn of the efforts from Aristotle to current day scientists to understand bird migration.

• Leaders: Glen, Marilyn
• Time: 9 am
• Location: Cedar Trail and the Beare Wetlands Loop
• Transit Accessible: Yes
• Meeting point: 1749 Meadowvale Rd., Scarborough – oTENTiks (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Service dogs only

Ice, Water, and Human Hands

Discover the forces that formed the landscape we see today. 15,000 years of history in 2 hours with Stephen.

• Leaders: Stephen, Donna
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Orchard Trail
• Transit Accessible: Yes
• Meeting point: 1749 Meadowvale Rd., Scarborough – oTENTiks (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Dog Friendly