Free guided walks - May schedule

Guided walks may be cancelled without notice in inclement weather.

Saturday, May 2

Rouge in bloom

Discover the first signs of spring in Rouge National Urban Park as the landscape reawakens after winter. Join Marie on a guided walk to observe and appreciate early blooming flowers and the subtle changes emerging beneath the surface. 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: Marie, Michael T., Tiffany
• Time: 10 am
• 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: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Adults
• Dog friendly

Pollination fascination

Join walk leader Marilyn to explore the vital role of pollinators in our ecosystems and food systems. Learn how bees, butterflies and other species transfer pollen from plant to plant, making much of our food supply possible. 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: Marilyn, Sue
• 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, May 3

Learn-to hike: Getting started

Want to get your family into trail walking? Join us to get started and learn more about making this part of your lifestyle. 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: Nancy, Julie
• 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
• Dog friendly

Wednesday, May 6

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, Anne
• 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 9

Longer days

Join Doug to learn about spring in the Rouge, including the first flowers, insects emerging from winter and bird activity. Please note that there is no washroom on site.

• Leaders: Doug, Colin Mac., Emily
• Time: 9:30 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: 1.5 hours
• Age range: Families
• Service dogs only

The role of beavers

Beavers are both praised and vilified across Canada, yet they play a surprisingly powerful role in fighting climate change. On this walk, we will examine the work beavers do and consider the benefits and challenges it creates for wildlife and human communities.

• Leaders: Peter V., Susan
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Reesor Way
• 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

Sunday, May 10

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, Louise
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Vista 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: Adults
• Service dogs only

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, Aman, 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: Easy
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Age range: Families
• Dog friendly

Tuesday, 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 through prime warbler habitat to learn more about these remarkable birds and their epic migratory journey.

• Leaders: Michael G., Brian
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Reesor Way
• 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 16

Agriculture past and present

Rich in agricultural heritage, farms still operate in the Rouge today. Join Judy for a walk on the trail flanked by farm fields and learn about its rich history and what’s growing there today.

• Leaders: Judy, Carrie
• Time: 1 pm
• 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

Sunday, May 17

Why birds thrive here

This trail showcases a rich mix of habitats that attract birds throughout the year. As we walk through restored wetlands, meadows and grasslands, we’ll explore how each environment supports different bird species and offers excellent opportunities for observation and discovery.

• Leaders: Gary, Geri, Meerab
• Time: 9 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 hours
• Age range: Adults
• Service dogs only

Animals in the Rouge

Join Glenn to discover the incredible wildlife that calls Rouge National Urban Park home. From birds in full song to hidden forest creatures, every step brings a new surprise. Perfect for nature lovers of all ages – come see the park come alive!

• Leaders: Glenn, Doug, Maria
• 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: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Families
• Dog friendly

Saturday, May 23

The way it’s made: The geological history of the Rouge

Join Brian for a captivating walk through Rouge Valley as he unveils the fascinating story of how this landscape was shaped over time. Discover how to spot the clues written in the land!

• Leaders: Brian, Nancy
• 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: Families
• Service dogs only

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, Marie
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Harvest Trail
• Transit accessible: No
• Meeting point: 6994 19^th Avenue, Markham – parking lot
• Distance: 3 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age range: Adults
• Service dogs only

Sunday, May 24

Xplorers: Bug Detective!

Hey kids ages 6-12 and their families! Join walk leader Marilyn and learn about bugs in Rouge National Urban Park!

• Leaders: Marilyn, Colin Mck.
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Reesor Way
• 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 30

Learning from landscapes

How can you tell the Rouge was once covered by ice? By a lake? By forests? We will hike briskly across diverse terrain found in the Rouge today, learning about its past and likely future. Come follow the clues as we explore how climate has affected the features and creatures of the Rouge!

• Leaders: Katharina, Christopher
• Time: 10 am
• 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
• Dog friendly

Spirituality of the forest

Join Susan to reflect on the spirituality of the forest using your own observations and teachings from many different traditions. Please note that there is no washroom on site.

• Leaders: Susan, Moaz
• 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: 1.5 hours
• Age range: Adults
• Service dogs only

Sunday, May 31

Forests in the Rouge

The Rouge sits at the crossroads of two distinct forest regions – the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence and the Carolinian. Walk with Shawn to discover towering pines, sturdy hardwoods and southern species thriving at the edge of their range.

• Leaders: Shawn, Richard
• 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: Adults
• Dog friendly