Free guided walks - August schedule

Saturday, August 3

Butterflies of the Rouge

Join Geri on a walk to discover and identify various butterfly species, while learning about their unique habitats and fascinating life cycles.

• Leaders: Geri, Gary
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Tallgrass Trek
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14^th Avenue, Markham - oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Easy 
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Service dogs only

 

Poetry in nature

Join Taleb for a short hike starting with nature-themed verses from popular poets like Robert Frost and Rumi. Then, we'll hit the trail to discover the natural beauty described in the poetry!

• Leaders: Taleb, Linda H.
• 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: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 1 hour
• Age Range: Families
• Dog Friendly

 

Sunday, August 4

Turtles: Nature’s ninjas!

Families will enjoy exploring the Rouge to learn about the habits and habitats of one of the Park's elusive residents: the turtles.

• Leaders: Marilyn, Richard
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Beare Wetlands Loop
• Transit Accessible: Yes
• Meeting point: 25 Zoo Road, Scarborough – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Service dogs only

 

Summer flowers

Join walk leader Doug and enjoy a walk through several different plant communities at the peak of summer growth.

• Leaders: Doug, Linda H.
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Vista Trail
• Transit Accessible: Yes
• Meeting point: 25 Zoo Road, Scarborough – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Dog Friendly

 

Saturday, August 10

Plant invaders: Rouge edition

Join Michael and discover the invasive plants that call the Rouge home. Learn to spot these plants, understand their impact, and find out how you can help protect plant biodiversity.

• Leaders: Michael T.
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Orchard Trail
• Transit Accessible: Yes
• Meeting point: 25 Zoo Road, Scarborough – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Service dogs only

 

Secret lives

Join Doug to explore different bird and wildlife habitat and learn how they live and survive through all the seasons of the year.

• Leaders: Doug, Feng
• 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: Adults
• Dog Friendly

 

Sunday, August 11

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, Emmylou
• Time: 9 am
• Location: Mast Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7450 Kingston Road, Scarborough – parking lot
• Distance: 1 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

 

Spiders 101

Join walk leader Richard in search of spiders and webs. Learn about the role of spiders in the park's ecology.

• Leaders: Richard, Judy
• 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: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Dog Friendly

 

Saturday, August 17

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 surrounded by the natural beauty of the Rouge. Please note that there is no washroom on site.

• Leaders: Katharina, Andrea
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Woodland Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 19 Reesor Road, Scarborough – parking lot
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Service dogs only

 

Sunday, August 18

Introduction to hiking

Always wanted to try hiking? Join walk leader Sarah to learn about the basics and all the great benefits that come with hiking.

• Leaders: Sarah, Gary, Geri
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Vista Trail
• Transit Accessible: Yes
• Meeting point: 25 Zoo Road, Scarborough – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Service dogs only

 

Staying safe on the trails

Join Donna to learn essential tips for staying safe on the trail. Discover how to use park maps, identify trail markers, and use other navigation tools.

• Leaders: Donna, Ompreet
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Cedar Trail and Beare Wetlands Loop
• Transit Accessible: Yes
• Meeting point: 25 Zoo Road, Scarborough – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Service dogs only

 

Saturday, August 24

Forest walk

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

• Leaders: Judy, Linda H.
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Orchard Trail
• Transit Accessible: Yes
• Meeting point: 25 Zoo Road, Scarborough – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Dog Friendly

 

Sunday, August 25

Discovering Lake Ontario

Join Carolyn to explore how animal and humans have adapted to Lake Ontario's changing shoreline.

• Leaders: Carolyn
• Time: 9 am
• Location: Rouge Marsh Trail
• Transit Accessible: Yes
• Meeting point: 195 Rouge Hills Dr., Scarborough – lower parking lot
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Service dogs only

 

Field to forest succession

Join Shawn in exploring some of the many examples of ecological transitions in the Park and ponder on how the park’s forests may change in the future.

• Leaders: Shawn, Linda G.
• 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: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Dog Friendly

 

Saturday, August 31

The measure of a tree

Why do trees fall down? Join Peter to discover and compare the various trees on the plateau, ridges and valley of the Rouge.

• Leaders: Peter V., Moaz
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Mast Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 55 Twyn Rivers Drive, Scarborough – parking lot
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate to difficult, depending on experience, with some steep hills and stairs
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Service dogs only

 

Green time in the Rouge

Calling all junior hikers ages 6 to 12 and their families! Take a break from screen time and join Marie for some green time.

• Leaders: Marie, Stephen
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Tallgrass Trek
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Dog Friendly