What we’re about
This is a group for anyone interested in hiking in nature at a leisurely pace while taking the time to appreciate and enjoy the outdoors. All skill levels and all ages are welcome, particularly seniors who are young at heart. We are all-season, all-weather hikers and look forward to exploring the outdoors with you.
Visit our Facebook page Hockley Valley Hiking to see some of our previous adventures. Your image may appear on either Facebook or Meetup, please advise if you object to it being posted or it will be assumed that you’ve given full consent.
Membership Fee
Members must pay an annual fee of $8.00 for the period from January to December and are allowed to bring two guests to each event for free. This is to help cover Meetup’s annual subscription fee.
New members can attend their first event for free before opting for an annual membership.
Current members are required to submit their payment at the time of RSVP, rather than in advance. When they RSVP for an event, their names will be added to the waitlist automatically. Fees are applicable only when you are on the waitlist.
Please e-Transfer to dierw@rogers.com and be sure to put your name to clearly identify who sent it. After the e-Transfer is completed, your name will be added to the going list. All fees are non-refundable.
To cultivate a group of real people with a common love of the outdoors, we encourage respect and transparency toward other members.
To that end, please read and follow these guidelines:
- Before joining, you must post recognizable picture of yourself on your Hockley Valley Hiking profile or your 'request to join' will be deleted. You will not be permitted to join the group without this profile picture. This is required so that we can recognize each other when we gather at the hiking location.
- This group adheres to all public health recommendations for safe outdoor social gatherings, which would also mean that we must limit the size of the hiking group for events.
- Given the limited spots, if you have committed to a hike, please show up on time. If for any reason you cannot attend, simply change your RSVP to 'Not Going' to kindly make room for someone else on the wait list. It only takes a few seconds.
- If you selfishly take a hiking spot and then do not show up, you will be noted as a no show.
- Your membership is subject to termination if you no show for an event with a wait list or after 3 incidents of no show.
- If you are on the wait list, DO NOT attend the event. You MUST have an RSVP.
- The organizer reserves the right to remove any member who does not meet the group's requirements.
Happy trails!
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Metcalfe RockKolapore Uplands Parking Lot, The Blue Mountains, ON
Duncan Escarpment Provincial Nature Reserve is located just west of Collingwood along the Niagara Escarpment. Due to seasonal extremes in temperatures and the forces of gravity, large boulders have broken off from the main face of the Escarpment, creating a series of crevice caves. The gradual shifting downwards of these huge blocks has produced the crevice caves. The Duncan Escarpment is part of the Niagara Escarpment Parks System and the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve. There are no visitor facilities. Visitors are asked to remember that the natural features are vulnerable and easily damaged.
The trail offers a good mix of terrains with wooded areas, open fields, rock faces, elevated lookouts and good shade coverage by the wonderful tree canopies. There is sometimes a bit of steep scrambling required, which gives this route a bit more of a technical challenge through the crevices.
Metcalfe Crevice
Duncan Escarpment
Exploring Metcalfe RockThe Duncan Escarpment is a Natural Hazard Area. It contains fissures, crevices and cliffs, all of which are dangerous and may be hidden. Stay on the marked trail at all times.
The hike is rated technical with a high risk of personal injury and is about 16km long.
Membership Fee
Members must pay an annual fee of $8.00 for the period from January to December and are allowed to bring two guests to each event for free. This is to help cover Meetup’s annual subscription fee.
New members can attend their first event for free before opting for an annual membership.
Current members are required to submit their payment at the time of RSVP, rather than in advance. When they RSVP for an event, their names will be added to the waitlist automatically. Fees are applicable only when you are on the waitlist.
Please e-Transfer to dierw@rogers.com and be sure to put your name to clearly identify who sent it. After the e-Transfer is completed, your name will be added to the going list. All fees are non-refundable.Visit our Facebook page Hockley Valley Hiking to see some of our previous adventures. Your image may appear on either Facebook or Meetup, please advise if you object to it being posted or it will be assumed that you’ve given full consent.
Arrive at the meeting location by 09:15hrs so that we can depart at 09:30hrs. Do not wait until the morning of the event to determine exactly where to meet. We will wait for an additional 5 minutes and then start the hike without you; we will not wait around indefinitely.
Before you RSVP, please note:
- Well-behaved dogs are welcome.
- We casually stroll along the route making frequent stops.
- Events are limited to about 25 hikers unless specified otherwise.
- For fun and adventure, sometimes we deviate from the original route.
- Do not attend this event if you are on the waitlist, you MUST have an RSVP.
- Please refrain from wearing heavily scented products such as perfume and cologne.
- New members must post a recognizable picture of yourself or you will not be allowed to attend.
- If you can no longer attend an event, immediately change your RSVP to 'Not going' to make room for others who are on the waitlist.
- If you selfishly take a hiking spot and then do not show up, you will be noted as a no-show.
- Your membership is subject to termination if you no-show for an event with a waitlist or after 3 incidents of no-show.
What to bring:
- Sunscreen and insect repellent.
- At least one litre of water and munchies to eat on the trail.
- Sturdy hiking shoes/boots, dress for the elements (in layers).
- Hiking poles for balance and stability, gaiters if you have them.
- Lots of enthusiasm, a very positive attitude and a camera/phone.
By attending this event all participants accept waiver of liability as follows:
I am responsible for my own safety and acknowledge the risk involved. I am participating voluntarily and the risks involved are beyond the control of event organizer and the group. Additionally, I do not have any conditions that will increase my likelihood of experiencing injuries while engaging in this activity.The organizer reserves the right to remove any member who does not meet the group's requirements, or who exhibits behavior that is disrespectful or detrimental to the interests and safety of the group.
The trick to not getting separated from the group is to make sure the hiker ahead of you is always within sight.
Be respectful of the environment. Take out your garbage and your pictures with you, but leave everything else behind for others to enjoy.
Happy hiking!
- Pretty River Valley Provincial Park NorthSnowmobile Parking Lot - Pretty River, Nottawa, ON
This park is nestled into the Niagara Escarpment and is an important part of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. It contains provincially significant geological features (deeply scarred bedrock) related to glacial and post-glacial processes along one of the highest points of the Escarpment. Features include meltwater channels, moraines and talus slopes. Over 400 species of vascular plants have been identified in the park.
Pretty River Valley Lookout
Pretty River Valley Provincial ParkThe Niagara Escarpment is a Natural Hazard Area. It contains fissures, odd roots and rocks, and steep drop offs, all of which are dangerous and may be hidden. Stay on the marked trail at all times.
This hike is rated intermediate, is moderately challenging and is about 13km long.
Membership Fee
Members must pay an annual fee of $8.00 for the period from January to December and are allowed to bring two guests to each event for free. This is to help cover Meetup’s annual subscription fee.
New members can attend their first event for free before opting for an annual membership.
Current members are required to submit their payment at the time of RSVP, rather than in advance. When they RSVP for an event, their names will be added to the waitlist automatically. Fees are applicable only when you are on the waitlist.
Please e-Transfer to dierw@rogers.com and be sure to put your name to clearly identify who sent it. After the e-Transfer is completed, your name will be added to the going list. All fees are non-refundable.Visit our Facebook page Hockley Valley Hiking to see some of our previous adventures. Your image may appear on either Facebook or Meetup, please advise if you object to it being posted or it will be assumed that you’ve given full consent.
Arrive at the meeting location by 09:15hrs so that we can depart at 09:30hrs. Do not wait until the morning of the event to determine exactly where to meet. We will wait for an additional 5 minutes and then start the hike without you; we will not wait around indefinitely.
Before you RSVP, please note:- Well-behaved dogs are welcome.
- We casually stroll along the route making frequent stops.
- Events are limited to about 25 hikers unless specified otherwise.
- For fun and adventure, sometimes we deviate from the original route.
- Do not attend this event if you are on the waitlist, you MUST have an RSVP.
- Please refrain from wearing heavily scented products such as perfume and cologne.
- New members must post a recognizable picture of yourself or you will not be allowed to attend.
- If you can no longer attend an event, immediately change your RSVP to 'Not going' to make room for others who are on the waitlist.
- If you selfishly take a hiking spot and then do not show up, you will be noted as a no-show.
- Your membership is subject to termination if you no-show for an event with a waitlist or after 3 incidents of no-show.
What to bring:
- Sunscreen and insect repellent.
- At least one litre of water and munchies to eat on the trail.
- Sturdy hiking shoes/boots, dress for the elements (in layers).
- Hiking poles for balance and stability, gaiters if you have them.
- Lots of enthusiasm, a very positive attitude and a camera/phone.
By attending this event all participants accept waiver of liability as follows:
I am responsible for my own safety and acknowledge the risk involved. I am participating voluntarily and the risks involved are beyond the control of event organizer and the group. Additionally, I do not have any conditions that will increase my likelihood of experiencing injuries while engaging in this activity.The organizer reserves the right to remove any member who does not meet the group's requirements, or who exhibits behavior that is disrespectful or detrimental to the interests and safety of the group.
The trick to not getting separated from the group is to make sure the hiker ahead of you is always within sight.
Be respectful of the environment. Take out your garbage and your pictures with you, but leave everything else behind for others to enjoy.
Happy hiking!
- Centre Line Road to CreemoreSimcoe County Forests Louden Tract, New Lowell, ON
If you only need one reason to visit Creemore then its charm will suffice. Take a stroll through its tree-lined downtown, with brilliant flower baskets and bright blue bikes decorating the sidewalks and you’ll feel transported back to days gone by. Visit the smallest jail in Ontario and may be the smallest in North America.
It’s a place where passersby still smile and nod hello. Where shopkeepers will chat about friendly gossip with locals or gush about their love of their hometown to visitors. I think it’s one of the many reasons to visit Creemore!
Experience Creemore
Creemore Farmer's Market
North America's Smallest JailThis is an exploratory hike and we will navigate the trail together. Expect detours, a few wrong turns, unforeseen trail closures, unintentional trail blazing and who knows what else. This will be another new adventure.
This hike is rated intermediate and is about 15km long.
We will hike through Simcoe County Forest along the Ganaraska Trail to Airport Road, then south along Airport Road for 1km to Carruthers Memorial Park. From there it continues beside the Mad River for about 2km to Concession Road 3, where the next 6km will be on the roadway. About half of the route is along paved roadway with vehicular traffic and no shade coverage, the remainder is a mix of flat gravel surface and forest trails.
Membership Fee
Members must pay an annual fee of $8.00 for the period from January to December and are allowed to bring two guests to each event for free. This is to help cover Meetup’s annual subscription fee.
New members can attend their first event for free before opting for an annual membership.
Current members are required to submit their payment at the time of RSVP, rather than in advance. When they RSVP for an event, their names will be added to the waitlist automatically. Fees are applicable only when you are on the waitlist.
Please e-Transfer to dierw@rogers.com and be sure to put your name to clearly identify who sent it. After the e-Transfer is completed, your name will be added to the going list. All fees are non-refundable.Visit our Facebook page Hockley Valley Hiking to see some of our previous adventures. Your image may appear on either Facebook or Meetup, please advise if you object to it being posted or it will be assumed that you’ve given full consent.
Arrive at the meeting location by 09:15hrs so that we can depart at 09:30hrs. Do not wait until the morning of the event to determine exactly where to meet. We will wait for an additional 5 minutes and then start the hike without you; we will not wait around indefinitely.
Before you RSVP, please note:
- Well-behaved dogs are welcome.
- We casually stroll along the route making frequent stops.
- Events are limited to about 25 hikers unless specified otherwise.
- For fun and adventure, sometimes we deviate from the original route.
- Do not attend this event if you are on the waitlist, you MUST have an RSVP.
- Please refrain from wearing heavily scented products such as perfume and cologne.
- New members must post a recognizable picture of yourself or you will not be allowed to attend.
- If you can no longer attend an event, immediately change your RSVP to 'Not going' to make room for others who are on the waitlist.
- If you selfishly take a hiking spot and then do not show up, you will be noted as a no-show.
- Your membership is subject to termination if you no-show for an event with a waitlist or after 3 incidents of no-show.
What to bring:
- Sunscreen and insect repellent.
- At least one litre of water and munchies to eat on the trail.
- Sturdy hiking shoes/boots, dress for the elements (in layers).
- Hiking poles for balance and stability, gaiters if you have them.
- Lots of enthusiasm, a very positive attitude and a camera/phone.
By attending this event all participants accept waiver of liability as follows:
I am responsible for my own safety and acknowledge the risk involved. I am participating voluntarily and the risks involved are beyond the control of event organizer and the group. Additionally, I do not have any conditions that will increase my likelihood of experiencing injuries while engaging in this activity.The organizer reserves the right to remove any member who does not meet the group's requirements, or who exhibits behavior that is disrespectful or detrimental to the interests and safety of the group.
The trick to not getting separated from the group is to make sure the hiker ahead of you is always within sight.
Be respectful of the environment. Take out your garbage and your pictures with you, but leave everything else behind for others to enjoy.
Happy hiking!
