Free guided walks - November schedule

Saturday, November 1

People of the Rouge
Join walk leader Marie and learn about more than 10,000 years of human history in the Rouge.

• Leaders: Marie, 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: 5 km – 8 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Families
• Dog friendly

Sunday, November 2

Yoga with the trees
Stretch, breathe, and flow with the trees in the Rouge. Join Denise for a hike with yoga-inspired movements to connect with nature. No experience needed – just bring water and an open mind!

• Leaders: Denise, Jane
• 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
• Service dogs only

Saturday, November 8

Travelling seeds
Join walk leader Judy on the trail to observe interesting ways plants transport their seeds from place to place!

• Leaders: Judy, Markus
• 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: Adults
• Dog friendly

Sunday, November 9

Nature’s healing touch
Spending time in nature is good for your health, but why? Join Michael as we explore the many ways the Rouge can benefit your well-being. Please note that there is no washroom on site.

• Leaders: Michael T., Christopher
• 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: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Families
• Service dogs only

Saturday, November 15

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. Please note this walk is for learning purposes only, as foraging is not permitted in the park.

• Leaders: Richard, Brian
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Mast Trail
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 55 Twyn Rivers Drive, Scarborough – parking lot
• Distance: 3 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate to difficult, depending on experience, with some steep hills and stairs
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Adults
• Dog friendly

Sunday, November 16

Take your bear for a walk today!
Families with children aged 4 – 9 are invited to bring along a cuddly “friend” and join walk leader Marilyn for a fun-filled adventure discovering the animal friends who call the park home!

• Leaders: Marilyn, Linda
• 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

Saturday, November 22

Wayfinding in the Rouge
Discover the art of wayfinding in the Rouge with Peter, a dedicated volunteer of over 10 years! Learn how to navigate without technology, then sharpen your compass skills through hands-on practice, map reading and fun games along the trail. Perfect for anyone curious about finding their way – no batteries required.

• Leaders: Peter V., Glenn B.
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Orchard Trail
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 55 Twyn Rivers Drive, Scarborough – parking lot
• Distance: 3 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Families
• Service dogs only

Sunday, November 23

Who’s chirping in the cold?
Not all birds fly south for the winter! Join walk leader Geri to explore how some birds survive and even thrive when the weather in the Rouge turns cold.

• Leaders: Geri, Gary
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Harvest Trail
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 6994 19th Avenue, Markham – parking lot
• Distance: 3 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Adults
• Service dogs only

Saturday, November 29

Coyotes
Join Glen for an eye-opening walk about one of the park’s most adaptable residents: the coyote! Discover how these clever canines survive, raise families and maintain their social hierarchies while sharing space with humans in a busy urban park.

• Leaders: Glen, Linda
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Mast Trail
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 55 Twyn Rivers Drive, Scarborough – parking lot
• Distance: 3 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate to difficult, depending on experience, with some steep hills and stairs
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Adults
• Dog friendly

Sunday, November 30

Trail time for tiny feet
Bring the whole family for a first hiking adventure! Rouge National Urban Park is the perfect place to introduce kids and grown-ups to the fun of hitting the trail and discovering the wonders of nature along the way.

• Leaders: Erik, Judy
• 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: Easy
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Age range: Families
• Service dogs only