Take a Hike

SIX IN THE {ALMOST} SIX

images by istockphoto.com

September is one of the busiest months of the year: our work calendars fill up, the kids go back to school, and we start looking forward to the Leafs and Raptors! But given a chance, fall can also surprise and astound, and nowhere is this more evident than in the abundance of stunning natural spaces to be explored in and around the city. Hiking is an ideal way to take advantage of the season, get some exercise, and explore the outdoors. Enveloped by a brilliant canvas of fall foliage and geological formations, locations like Rattlesnake Point offer memorable experiences that can be shared with friends and family. To get you started on your outdoor adventure, here are our top six picks for GTA hikes. All you need to do is lace up your shoes and get ready to take in some of the region’s most breathtaking sights.

1. THE DAY HIKE | RATTLESNAKE POINT

Rattlesnake Point is one of the most beautiful places in Ontario. With Buffalo Crag Lookout Point offering some of the Escarpment’s best views, 800-year-old cedar trees, and turkey vultures soaring overhead, it’s little wonder people come from near and far to see the this region explode in fall colours. For the GPS enthusiasts, geocaches are hidden throughout. Three distinct trails await, totalling 13 km. Up for a full day hike? The Nassagaweya Trail connects to Crawford Lake Conservation Area, making for a 7.2 km round trip adventure.

7200 Appleby Line, Milton, ON conservationhalton.ca

2. THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL HIKE | CRAWFORD LAKE

Visitors to Crawford Lake find themselves at the intersection of science and cultural history. With its meromictic lake, surrounding boardwalk, recreated Iroquoian longhouses, and 19 km network of trails, Crawford Lake has a little something for everyone, while offering a great outing for hikers of all levels of experience. However, it’s the archaeology that’s the truly unique feature at this destination. From 1973 to 1987, excavations uncovered 11 longhouses on the site and over 10,000 artifacts of the Iroquoian people who once lived in the village. Three of the longhouses have been reconstructed based on the archaeological findings. Today, after exploring the natural settings, guests can wander around the village and learn about daily life in the region over 600 years ago.

3115 Conservation Road, Milton, ON conservationhalton.ca

3. THE THANKSGIVING HIKE | BALL’S FALLS

Set within the breathtaking Twenty Valley, Ball’s Falls Conservation Area offers spectacular scenery and natural beauty. Setting it apart from other locales in the GTA, photographers and nature lovers come to view the majestic Twenty Mile Creek as it plummets over both the upper and lower falls. Descending a total of 35.5 metres, the falls tumble delightfully over high cliffs and can be viewed at close proximity from above or below. Complete your visit with a hike or stroll along the Cataract Trail, aside the banks of Twenty Mile Creek, with easy access to the Bruce Trail. As a seasonal bonus, the annual Thanksgiving Festival features numerous artisans from around Ontario and beyond.

3292 Sixth Avenue, Lincoln, ON thanksgivingfestival.ca

4. THE TREASURE MAP HIKE | SPLITROCK NARROWS NATURE RESERVE

This hike boasts rocky outliers, steep cliffs, long views, a glacial spillway, and an impressive crevice system for which Splitrock Narrows is named. The Trail starts along a farm pasture and slopes into a cool, moss covered crevice system, where 420-millionyear-old crinoid fossils can be found. After exploring this side trail, continue on the Splitrock Narrow Side trail for sweeping fall colour valley views. For those with children, why not complete the Dufferin Hi-Land Bruce Trail Club’s Children’s Treasure Hike? Simply print out the Treasure Map and find all the plaques located on the map. Be sure to write a description of each plaque down and then return to the website and fill in the form. If you find all 10 plaques, they will send you a free “Take a Hike” button.

Caledon, ON dufferinbrucetrailclub.org/childrens-treasure-hike

5, THE TIME-STRAPPED HIKE | ROUGE VALLEY

This close to home, 1.5 km loop, can be done in an hour, giving visitors the fall hike experience without taking too big a chunk out of the day. Don’t let the length fool you…this little trail is proof that size doesn’t matter, with an unbelievable view overlooking Little Rouge Creek and Rouge River Valley. Meadows, forests, bluffs, and wildlife are all part of the package. Park the car at the Rouge Valley Conservation Centre, near the Toronto Zoo, and adventure awaits.

1749 Meadowvale Road, Toronto, ON rvcc.ca

6. THE HODGEPODGE HIKE | BOYNE VALLEY SIDE TRAIL LOOP

This 6 km hike near Primrose is part of the Bruce Trail. Upon entering, you’ll hike through fields and past the ruins of an old farmhouse, along a narrow ravine into a hardwood bush before crossing the Boyne River. With swamps, bridges, boardwalks, lookouts, and valleys, this hiking trail is perfect for those in need of a little sensory overload. Murphy’s Pinnacle is a relic of glacial times, and its views of the surrounding countryside make it worth the drive.

Alliston, ON www.ontarioparks.com/park/boynevalley