Free guided walks - May schedule

Saturday, May 3

Xplorers: Learn to Hike

Hey kids ages 6-12 and their families! Join walk leader Marilyn and learn how your family can get ready for quality time outdoors!

• Leaders: Marilyn, Feng
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Harvest Trail
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 6994 19th Avenue, Markham – parking lot
• Distance: 5 km – 8 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Families
• Dog friendly

Everything depends on everything

How would the Rouge be different if there weren't any coyotes? What if the bugs or the fungi disappeared? Let's learn about life's interdependence and how to preserve it! This walk is part of Jane's Walk, a global initiative that encourages conversations about the places we live and how we can make them better.

• Leaders: Katharina, Glenn
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Tallgrass Trek
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 3 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Families
• Dog friendly

Sunday, May 4

Families in the Rouge

Join Markus for a fun and engaging guided hike designed for families with children! This gentle walk through the Rouge invites families to connect with nature, discover local wildlife, and explore the wonders of Canada’s first national urban park. Along the way, kids and grown-ups alike will enjoy interactive activities, nature stories, and scenic views. Please note that there is no washroom on site.

• Leaders: Markus, Nancy
• Time: 10 am
• Location: South Central Trail
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7933 14th Avenue, Markham – parking lot
• Distance: 3 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Families
• Dog friendly

Wednesday, May 7

Terry Whittam Memorial Bird Hike

Join this popular annual hike around Tallgrass Trek as we look and listen for migrating birds with Glen, joined by guest leader and long-time Rouge hiker Larry Noonan. The hike has been renamed in honour of the late Terry Whittam, an avid birder and all-around nature enthusiast who led it each year.

• Leaders: Glen, Brian
• Time: 7:30 am
• Location: Tallgrass Trek
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 3 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Age range: Families
• Service dogs only

Saturday, May 10

Forest regions: The Carolinian forest

Where north meets south, a rare mix of life takes root. The Rouge rests between two forest regions, the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence and the Carolinian, creating a unique blend of ecosystems. Walk with Shawn to uncover the Rouge’s Carolinian side, where southern species find a home at the edge of their range.

• Leaders: Shawn, Jane
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Reesor Way/Tanglewood Trail
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 3 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Adults
• Dog friendly

Nature journaling

Join walk leader Marilyn as we learn to slow down, pay attention, and discover new things about the world around us!

• Leaders: Marilyn, Markus
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Northeast Trail
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 10725 Reesor Road, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Additional parking: 7445 Elgin Mills Road East, Markham; 7535 Elgin Mills Road East, Markham
• Distance: 3 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Families
• Service dogs only

Sunday, May 11

Urban environmental restoration

The Tallgrass Trek is the perfect place to see environmental restoration in action. Join Carolyn to discover how Rouge National Urban Park’s efforts create and sustain healthy ecosystems.

• Leaders: Carolyn, Doug
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Tallgrass Trek
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 3 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Families
• Dog friendly

Monday, May 12

Warblers in the Rouge

Warblers are some of the most fascinating visitors to the Rouge each spring and spotting them is always a special experience. Join Michael and Gary through prime warbler habitat to learn more about these remarkable birds and their epic migratory journey.

• Leaders: Michael G., Gary
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Reesor Way/Tanglewood Trail
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 3 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Families
• Service dogs only

Saturday, May 17

What does the Oak Ridges Moraine and the Rouge have in common? (Cancelled)

Here’s a hint: they overlap! On this walk with Susan, you'll be walking on the Moraine while still being in the Rouge. This ancient land formation is a key element in preserving our natural heritage and supplying the water we drink.

• Leaders: Susan, Sarah
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Northeast Trail
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 1867 Concession Road 2, Whitchurch-Stouffville – parking lot
• Distance: 5 km – 8 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Families
• Service dogs only

Invasive plants in the Rouge: Identification and impact

Invasive plants aren't only in the Rouge. On this walk, we'll identify common species, understand their impact on ecosystems, and share methods to mitigate their spread in the Rouge and at home. Techie alert! We will use apps like iNaturalist, Seek, and PictureThis to help us on the way.

• Leaders: Gary, Michael T.
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Reesor Way/Tanglewood Trail
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 3 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Adults
• Dog friendly

Sunday, May 18

Fleeting flowers

Spring is bursting into bloom! Join Marie, who’s been leading Rouge walks for over 10 years, on one of her favourite trails. Woodland Trail is a great place to spot some of the park’s spring ephemeral flowers. What's “ephemeral,” you ask? Fleeting, brief and temporary – just like these blooms. Don’t miss your chance to see them! Please note that there is no washroom on site.

• Leaders: Marie, Ompreet
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Woodland Trail
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 19 Reesor Road, Scarborough – parking lot
• Distance: 3 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Families
• Service dogs only

Counting on caterpillars

What do insects, spiders, centipedes and caterpillars have in common? They are all arthropods! These tiny creatures existed before dinosaurs and are still thriving today. On this walk, Donna will shine a spotlight on the caterpillar. Find out why we’re counting on them more than you might think! Please note that there is no washroom on site.

• Leaders: Donna, Linda
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: South Central Trail
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7933 14th Ave, Markham – parking lot
• Distance: 3 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Families
• Service dogs only

Monday, May 19

Fascinating fungi

All mushrooms are fungi, but not all fungi are mushrooms. Yet they all have a major part to play in soil health and contributions to biodiversity. What we see on the surface is only a fraction of the action below. Get the dirt on fungi with Richard, on one of his favourite outings. Please note this walk is for learning purposes only, as foraging is not permitted in the park.

• Leaders: Richard, Susan
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Reesor Way/Tanglewood Trail
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 3 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Families
• Dog friendly

Saturday, May 24

Native trees of the Rouge

Rouge National Urban Park is home to a rich variety of native trees. Join Anne for a walk among these towering residents as we learn how to identify different species and discover the vital roles they play in supporting the local ecosystem.

• Leaders: Anne, Peter V.
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Tallgrass Trek
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 3 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Adults
• Dog friendly

Sunday, May 25

Head north for a whole new view

The Rouge's northern trails offer a strikingly different experience than the southern valley walks. Take in a range of the Central Trail's panoramic views, beautiful forests, farmlands, meadows and wetlands with Judy.

• Leaders: Marilyn, Nancy
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Central Trail
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7445 Elgin Mills Road East, Markham – parking lot
• Additional parking: 7535 Elgin Mills Road East, Markham; 10725 Reesor Road, Markham
• Distance: 3 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Adults
• Dog friendly

Wings of resilience: Exploring the lives of bats

Explore the fascinating world of bats and the challenges they face such as white-nose syndrome. Join Glen to learn about the vital role these nocturnal creatures play in Rouge National Urban Park and how we can help protect them. Please note that there is no washroom on site.

• Leaders: Glen, Christopher
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Woodland Trail
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 19 Reesor Road, Scarborough – parking lot
• Distance: 3 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Families
• Dog friendly

Saturday, May 31

Wildlife on the road: Who’s crossing?

In Canada’s first national urban park, wild animals and busy roads often meet. Join Peter to explore the impact of roads and vehicles on local wildlife in the Rouge. From wildlife corridors to citizen science, discover how we can better share the road and reduce the toll on nature.

• Leaders: Peter V., Sarah
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Northeast Trail
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 1867 Concession Road 2, Whitchurch-Stouffville – parking lot
• Distance: 5 km – 8 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Adults
• Service dogs only