Free guided walks - June schedule

Sunday, June 1

Need for green

Explore protected park lands of the Rouge with walk leader Doug and discuss ways to restore, protect and preserve natural areas. Please note that there is no washroom on site.

• Leaders: Doug, Jane
• 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: Adults
• Dog friendly

Hiking 101

When it comes to getting outside, nothing beats a hiking trip. Today we will talk about planning an outing. It's as easy as 1-2-3!

• Leaders: Michael T., CK
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Monarch Trail
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 5 km – 8 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Age range: Families
• Dog friendly

Saturday, June 7

Agriculture past and present

Rich in agricultural heritage, farms still operate in the Rouge today. Join Judy for a walk about farming past and present.

• Leaders: Judy, Doug
• 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: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Families
• Dog friendly

Sunday, June 8

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, Nancy
• 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: Families
• Dog friendly

Rouge in bloom

Rouge flowers are a remarkable sight! Join Marie and appreciate all the flowers in bloom this time of year.

• Leaders: Marie, Linda
• 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: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Adults
• Dog friendly

Saturday, June 14

From farmland to wetland

Rouge National Urban Park spans nearly 80 km², with farmland making up more than half its use. But this land works in more ways than one – wetlands, forests, and trails all play their part. Walk with Marilyn to discover how the Rouge’s mosaic of nature, culture, recreation, and agriculture comes to life.

• Leaders: Marilyn, Anne
• 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: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Families
• Service dogs only

Sunday, June 15

Go with the flow: Water cycles in the Rouge

Join Geri to explore the journey of water through Rouge National Urban Park. From rainfall to rivers, discover how water moves through the landscape, sustains life and shapes the park’s unique environment.

• Leaders: Geri, Gary, Glen
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Monarch Trail
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 5 km – 8 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Age range: Adults
• Service dogs only

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

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, Glenn
• Time: 1 pm
• 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

Saturday, June 21

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, Geri
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Harvest 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: 5 km – 8 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Adults
• Dog friendly

Pollination fascination

What does pollination have to do with us? Join Marilyn, who's celebrating 10 years of leading Rouge walks, as she shares one of her favourite trails and uncovers the fascinating links between plants, pollinators, and people.

• Leaders: Marilyn, Carolyn
• 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: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Families
• Service dogs only

Sunday, June 22

Spiders 101

Often a source of fear, spiders are actually one of nature's best janitors. Take a walk with Richard and get to know how these tiny predators help control pests and tidy up nature’s messes in the Rouge and even in your own backyard. Keep an eye out for webs and their clever creators!

• Leaders: Richard, Nancy
• 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

Forest regions: The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest

Ever wonder what forest region the Rouge is in? The Rouge sits right between two – the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest and the Carolinian forest. Join Shawn for a closer look at the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest region and discover how its northern roots shape the Rouge through quiet groves of pine, sturdy hardwoods, and the life that moves between them.

• Leaders: Shawn, Anne
• Time: 1 pm
• 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

Saturday, June 28

Summer solstice reflections

Plants and animals, including humans, adapt to long days and short nights this time of year. Let's look deeper into the challenges of adapting to longer periods of light and celebrations of summer solstice. Please note that there is no washroom on site.

• Leaders: Katharina, 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: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Families
• Dog friendly

Sunday, June 29

Introduction to hiking

How is a walk different from a hike? Join walk leader Sarah to progress from a walker to a hiker, with all the great benefits that come with hiking in the Rouge.

• Leaders: Sarah, Michael T.
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Monarch Trail
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 5 km – 8 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Age range: Adults
• Service dogs only