Free guided walks - August

Rouge National Urban Park

Access to Twyn Rivers Day Use Area from Sheppard Avenue East in Toronto is closed. Visitors can still enter the area from the other side of Twyn Rivers Drive, off Altona Road in Pickering.

Guided walks may be cancelled without notice in inclement weather.

DATE
DETAILS

Saturday, August 1

Time: 10 am
Location: Monarch Trail

Where are the birds?

Birds can seem hard to find in the summer, but they are all around us! Join Gary to uncover what birds are really doing during the hottest time of the year. Binoculars and a bird ID app are recommended for this walk.

Leaders: Gary, Geri, Glenn
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

Saturday, August 1

Time: 1 pm
Location: Northeast Trail

What do 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, Michael T., Aleema
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

Sunday, August 2

Time: 10 am
Location: Vista Trail

Welcome to the Rouge

Join walk leader Moaz to learn about Canada's first and only national urban park while exploring its forests, meadows, rivers and wetlands.

Leaders: Moaz, Jamie
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

Sunday, August 2

Time: 5 pm
Location: Harvest Trail

Bats – Facts and fiction!

Join walk leader Marilyn to learn – and unlearn – about these mysterious creatures of the night!

Leaders: Marilyn, Ompreet
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

Friday, August 7

Time: 9 am
Location: Mast Trail

Connection

Hike through Rouge Valley’s Carolinian landscape along a 200-year-old former logging route, discovering traces of its past. Together, we’ll reflect on our connections to the land’s history, nature and each other.

Leaders: Colin Mac., Sue
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: 2.5 hours
Age range: Adults
Dog friendly

Saturday, August 8

Time: 10:30 am
Location: Reesor Way

Discovering the Carolinian life zone

Join Brian on a walk to discover and identify the diverse tree species that make up the Carolinian forest ecosystem, now only found in the Rouge and several other regions in Southwestern Ontario. Perfect for nature enthusiasts and curious explorers!

Leaders: Brian, Tiffany
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: Families
Service dogs only

Saturday, August 8

Time: 2 pm
Location: Tallgrass Trek

Bug walk: Insects of the Rouge

Get up close with the tiny creatures of the park! Search for beetles, butterflies, bees and more while discovering how these small but mighty insects keep ecosystems thriving. 

Leaders: Carrie, Judy
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
Dog friendly

Sunday, August 9

Time: 10 am
Location: Orchard Trail

What’s in the pond?

Enjoy a leisurely walk through Rouge National Urban Park while diving into the hidden lives of turtles. Bring your binoculars and keep your eyes on the water – you never know what you might spot along the way!

Leaders: Sue, Courtney
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: Families
Service dogs only

Saturday, August 15

Time: 9 am
Location: Northeast Trail

People of the Rouge – A longer walk to Altona

Rouge National Urban Park is home to the bygone community of Altona. This walk begins with a brisk 3-km stretch, where the trail offers glimpses of historical buildings and stories of the area’s past, along with familiar names on plaques and headstones. The full 6-km route concludes with a return trek to Glasgow Day Use Area.

Leaders: Marie, Meerab
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: 3 hours
Age range: Adults
Dog friendly

Sunday, August 16

Time: 10 am
Location: Mast Trail

Trees of the Rouge

Join Moaz on the historic Mast Trail to learn about trees found in the Rouge that have helped shape Canada’s history, culture and economic development.

Leaders: Moaz, Christopher
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
Service dogs only

Sunday, August 16

Time: 5 pm
Location: Harvest Trail

Green acres

Join Doug to marvel at the rural scenery. Discuss the history of farming in the Rouge, its importance, and the future of local food.

Leaders: Doug, Patrick
Transit accessible: No
Meeting point: 6994 19th 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

Saturday, August 22

Time: 9:30 am
Location: Woodland Trail

When the trail curves: Mindful walking within a labyrinth

A labyrinth is not a maze: you cannot lose your way in a labyrinth - only find it. As you follow its gently winding path, you are drawn into the present moment. Join Katharina, a certified labyrinth facilitator, on this uniquely calming, reflective exercise, followed by a mindful trail walk surrounded by the natural beauty of the Rouge. Please note that there is no washroom on site.

Leaders: Katharina, Anne
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
Service dogs only

Saturday, August 22

Time: 1 pm
Location: Central Trail

High-tech hikes

Join walk leader Erik for a fun hike and discuss the pros and cons of integrating technology with spending time in nature. 

Leaders: Erik, Carrie
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: Families
Service dogs only

Sunday, August 23

Time: 10:30 am
Location: Tallgrass Trek

Need for green

Explore protected park lands of the Rouge with walk leader Doug and discuss ways to restore, protect and preserve natural areas.

Leaders: Doug, Julie
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
Dog friendly

Sunday, August 23

Time: 2 pm
Location: Reesor Way

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, Colin Mck.
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

Saturday, August 29

Time: 5 pm
Location: Monarch Trail

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, Maria
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

Sunday, August 30

Time: 10 am
Location: Vista Trail

Forest walk

Join walk leader Judy on the trail and discover nature at your doorstep in Rouge National Urban Park!

Leaders: Judy, Louise
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

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