Backpacking Toronto

Morning in the Pocket (4.5km)

This one is for the early risers. The Pocket is a pocket-shaped neighbourhood centred around Phin Park. There are not many entry points and the bottom is hemmed off by railway tracks. So, we'll leave through one of two exits on the east. The Pocket has no food options. We have to continue on to the border of Leslieville, where one can find bakeries and one of the best hot chocolates in the city. The hike ends at a legendary Egyptian brunch restaurant that doesn't take reservations. Come early (that's the point of the hike) to avoid 1-hour queues. Additional breakfast options are further east at Little India. **Highlights** 1. Pape/Danforth Library (depart 8:15am) 2. Cranfield House 3. Jones Avenue Adult Centre 4. Greenwood Yard 5. Soul Chocolate (depart 9:10am) 6. Greenwood Park 7. The Redwood / Conci 8. Maha's Brunch (arrive 9:30am) **Neighbourhoods** Blake - Jones > The Pocket > Leslieville **Map** [https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1TWY5OSIYaAywFG-fSF42x8XRz4xKzxQ&usp=sharing](https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1TWY5OSIYaAywFG-fSF42x8XRz4xKzxQ&usp=sharing) **How it works** Hike starts punctually. Late or can't do the whole route? Meet us at scheduled checkpoints. See our [About section](https://www.meetup.com/hike-to-eat/) for more info.

Kayak on the Humber River & Social!

Meetup Location: 9 Old Mill Rd, M8X 0A5, Down the "Discovery Walks Rd." in Kings Mill Park. Arrive at 10:00am and prepare to be ready to hit the water for 10:30!am. You don't need a kayak or canoe. There are two hour rentals at the Humber River Paddling Centre, Call early to book a spot -**416 - 536-2067 or book mon -line here - https://torontoadventures.ca/** The ultimate escape down the calm meandering waters of the scenic Humber River. Whether you are paddling solo on a SUP , loading up a canoe, or kayaking keep your eyes peeled for beavers, blue herons and deer! Leave the city behind without ever leaving Toronto!

Frosh nosh around downtown universities (9.9 km)

**Attendance policy is enforced for this hike**. See below for details. It's back to school as we wind through all the universities in downtown. The largest of which is the University of Toronto, serviced by 5 subway stations and boasts a wealth of architectural styles: Neoclassical, Gothic Revival, Georgian, Victorian, Brutalist, Modern, and more. It's a tourist attraction in its own right. We'll then swing by OCAD and end at TMU. At the periphery of these universities, one can find clusters of restaurants catering to students and staff. This hike goes through the main ones and some hidden spots. The focus will be on cheap or reasonably-priced places. At the end of the hike, there is an array of excellent restaurants to choose from: Korean deep-fried meats, raw marinated crabs, Japanese bar snacks, and Northeastern Thai grilled meats. **Highlights** 1. Matt Cohen Park (depart 2pm) 2. Toroast / Robarts Library 3. Colleges in University of Toronto / Hart House 4. Koerner Hall / ROM / Gardiner Museum 5. Bloom Cafe / Bao House / Gyoza&Go 6. Cha Cheng Tealato (depart 3:07pm) 7. Whitney Block / Ontario Legislature / Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus 8. Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research 9. The Self Ramen Bar 10. Faculty of Architecture 11. Robert Street Cookies / Fresca Pizza 12. Corner Crepe Co / Mexi-Pak FusionTaco / Heval Cafe 13. Polish Combatants Association / George Brown House 14. J&G Fried Chicken / Kati Thai Gelato (depart 4:12pm) 15. St. Patrick's Church / AGO / OCAD 16. Manpuku / NaiNai / Bao Bao Dim Sum 17. Maki Mart / Big Belly 18. Butter Baker 19. TMU Student Learning Centre / World Food Market 20. Devonian Pond / The Image Centre 21. Afro's Pizza 22. Som Tum Jinda / Katsuya / Gebang Sikdang (arrive 5pm) **Neighbourhoods** The Annex > University of Toronto > Bay Street Corridor > Discovery District > Chinatown > Grange Park > Garden District **Map** [https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1dCmi4OQRE7QvMMpPi0y7z6dj7xairg0&usp=sharing](https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1dCmi4OQRE7QvMMpPi0y7z6dj7xairg0&usp=sharing) **How it works** Hike starts punctually. Late or can't do the whole route? Meet us at scheduled checkpoints. We'll browse many food places but won't linger long. See the route in advance, organize takeout, then pickup along the way. Not sure what to try? Join our omakase for $5, which gives a tiny sample from different restaurants. Payment on the day of event by cash or e-transfer to globaltorontoeats@gmail.com. No refunds after orders are placed. Details of sampled food will be uploaded after the hike. Limited cutlery provided. Highly recommended to bring cutlery and containers for omakase and bringing back leftovers. See our [About section](https://www.meetup.com/hike-to-eat/) for more info. **Attendance policy** Please check in with an organizer when you arrive. 24 hours before the hike, we'll note who is on the confirmed list. Those that don't show up will be marked as no-show. Repeat offenders will be banned. Please change your RSVP if you can no longer attend. If you got off the waitlist less than 24 hours before the event, you won't be considered a no-show.

[Part 2]Hike at your own pace: Hockely valley upto 23KM at 3KM -> 6.5KM +/hour

Survivalist Series: Introduction to Camp Skills

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/intro-camp-skills)** Think you're ready to get into the wild? Start here. In this intro session, you will practice the core skills every outdoor adventurer needs. You'll learn how to read and select a campsite, pitch a tarp in any conditions, tie the knots that actually matter, hang your food to stay bear-safe, and use your tools with confidence. Learn hands-on fundamentals built for real wilderness. Whether you're brand new to camping or filling gaps in your skillset, the Survivalist Series gives you the foundation to go further more safely. **Who It's For:** Anyone who wants to further develop their camping fundamentals. No prior camping experience required. For those with some background, this is a great change to fill in gaps and build greater confidence. **About this series:** The Survivalist Series is an expert-led set of courses designed to develop applicable and life-saving skills in the outdoors. Keep your eyes peeled for more courses on many other topics as they become available **Highlights** **Expert Instruction:** Our amazing expert guide will teach you everything you need to know in a safe and approachable way. **Hone your Skills**: Get hands on experience Pitching a tent, tying knots, using tools, and protecting your food for your next backcountry adventure. **Confidence Built from Scratch**: Use practical skills and knowledge to demonstrate your new abilities. Ask questions, get experience, and practice with friends. **Event cost: $60+HST (for explorer members) - $50 optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/intro-camp-skills)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

Canoe Camping in Killarney

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/killarney-camping-1)** **Dive into the Killarney backcountry with this beautiful and beginner friendly canoe camping adventure.** We're heading to Bell Lake, on the quieter east side of the park, for a weekend that mixes an easy paddle-in camping trip and an incredible hike to Silver Peak, the highest point in Killarney. Friday, we'll paddle the short 2.5km crossing to our backcountry site, set up camp, and spend the afternoon settling in. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend how you like. If you want to learn to pitch a tent, get a fire going properly, or handle a canoe, we'll show you. If you'd rather find a rock in the sun and do nothing, that works too. Saturday, you can chill around camp or paddle over and hike Silver Peak, the highest point in the park. It's a roughly 11km round trip, starting on an easy rolling trail before a steep, hands on scramble up exposed quartzite for the final push. At the top, you're rewarded with a 360 degree view over Killarney's white ridges and out to Georgian Bay. Trust us, you won’t get many views in Ontario that are better than this! Both nights, we'll eat around the fire and fall asleep under some of the clearest skies in Ontario. Killarney's stargazing is genuinely other-worldly. On a clear night you'll see the Milky Way and more stars than you knew existed. Sunday, we pack up and paddle back out. By Sunday, you'll have spent two days swimming, paddling, and sleeping under the stars, surrounded by Killarney's unmistakable landscapes. What's included * Professional & certified guides * ‍All camp meals, cooking equipment and mess kits * ‍Tents * Canoe rentals Sleeping bags and sleep pads can be rented from WU for a small fee. **Highlights** **Silver Peak Summit:** The highest point in Killarney, with sweeping views over the range and out to Georgian Bay **Stargazing:** With some of the darkest skies in Ontario, the Milky Way is in full view on a clear night **Lake Swimming:** Cool off in clear water, or take the canoe out for a closer look at the shoreline **Event cost: $455+HST (for explorer members) - $70 optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/killarney-camping-1)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

Epic #4 - Western Uplands Backpacking Trail

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/epic-4)** ***Welcome to The Epics!*** ***Through this series, we will embark together on five of the most legendary and challenging adventures anywhere in Ontario.*** **Background** The Western Uplands Backpacking Trail is widely considered the premier hiking challenge in Algonquin Provincial Park. While the area is now a recovering hardwood forest, these paths once served the industrial logging operations that preceded the park's establishment. Today, the trail is famous for its solitude and wildlife; you’re likely to meet grouse that aggressively defend their territory and see constant signs of the moose population that calls the area home. **What You Need to Know** We’re hiking the northern most loop of the trail, entering at the beautiful Rain Lake access point. We’ll have 45km of hiking ahead of us, a significant challenge when you’re carrying all of your gear on your back. This access point feels like finding a secret back door to the park's most remote reaches, starting with a gentle stretch along an old logging railway bed. It starts as a flat, historic stroll that lets us find our rhythm before the real work begins as we climb into the rugged heart of Algonquin. We'll trade the flat path for a steady rhythm of roots and ridges, pushing into the lush hardwood forests that define the park's western highlands. The rewards come in the form of solitude, like the deep, clear waters of Islet Lake - the perfect mid hike swimming spot. Day 2, we push on for a massive 18km day, making our way to Brown Lake. It's a world of total silence and dark skies where the only sounds are the wind in the hemlocks and our own footsteps on the trail. This is a tough, honest trek through a landscape carved by ancient glaciers, offering a sense of pure wilderness that few others ever get to see. We can guarantee that this trail will test you. Because there is no bailout option mid-route, we move as a tight crew, supporting each other through every climb. For those willing to put in the work and find out what they are made of, the Western Uplands offers some of the most raw and rewarding backpacking in the province. **What's Included:** * *2 expert guides with advanced wilderness skills and medical training* * *All camp meals, cooking equipment and mess kits* * *All safety equipment (including first aid kits and water purification)* * *Tents and all the camping equipment you'll need (sleeping bags and pads are available for rent)* * *All permits and campsite bookings for the whole trip* * *A preparatory information session* * *Detailed trip plan with packing lists, maps and the indigenous history of the route we're following* * *Extensive planning to ensure your safety throughout the adventure* * *A custom, iron-on patch to immortalize your unforgettable adventure* ***Epics are mentally and physically demanding adventures, and participation isn’t automatically guaranteed. These expeditions require skill, determination and teamwork to get through.*** ***To help ensure a safe and rewarding experience for all, anyone who has not previously completed an Epic will need to fill out a short questionnaire so we can assess readiness together.*** ***Your level of fitness and outdoors experience will play a role in this process. Having certain adventures under your belt will ensure you have the right skills and preparation for these kinds of experiences. These include:*** * ***Any Wilder Series adventure, including the upcoming Wilder Loop*** * ***Any Survivalist Series adventure, including Introduction to Navigation or Cold Exposure*** * ***Canoe Foundations Clinic*** * ***Hilton Falls Mega*** * ***Any other adventure with 4 or 5 star difficulty*** ***If you register for an Epic and are not approved, you will receive a refund in full.*** **Highlights** **An Epic Challenge -** Our shortest epic packs a serious punch. Conquering this 45km loop with packs on our backs will be an incredibly rewarding challenge. **Moose Spotting** \- There are a huge number of moose in this part of the park and there’s a good chance we’ll come across them during our journey\. **Uninterrupted Wilderness -** Deep in the woods, with no roads or cell service, this adventure gives you the ultimate opportunity for nature immersion **Event cost: $635+HST. $50 optional transport also available. Please register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/epic-4)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

Come to BC With Us!

Holiday Time! I'm away for a week. Keep an eye on the schedule for our sunday hikes!

Feedback | An Open Mic Comedy Show @ Backroom Comedy Club

Ticket Link: **[https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1974279855193](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1974279855193)** Welcome to **Feedback \| An Open Mic Comedy Show** at the **Backroom Comedy Club**! Get ready for a night filled with laughter, jokes, and good vibes. Whether you're a seasoned comedian or just looking for a fun night out, this event is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy some live comedy. Come join us on **Sundays** at **10:00 PM** for a hilarious evening that you won't forget. Talented and non-talented lineups of comedians will be taking the stage to entertain you and keep you laughing all night long, and if they fail, owners Ariel Kagan & Brandon Sobel will offer feedback on sets at the request So grab your friends, grab a drink, and get ready to have a great time at the **Backroom Comedy Club**. Don't miss out on this opportunity to experience some of the best or worst comedy in town!

The High Route of the Lost, and the Tour of the Vignemale

SHAFI HOSSAIN @ Backroom Comedy Club | One Night Only!

Ticket Link: **[https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/shafi-hossain-backroom-comedy-club-one-night-only-tickets-1990568985420](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/shafi-hossain-backroom-comedy-club-one-night-only-tickets-1990568985420?aff=oddtdtcreator)** **🌟 BACKROOM COMEDY CLUB PRESENTS 🌟** 📍 **Location:** Backroom Comedy Club 🗓 **Dates:** Aug 7 & 8, 2026 🕗 **Showtimes:** 8:00 PM & 10:00 PM ✨ **Featuring [Shafi Hossain](https://www.instagram.com/shafistandsup/ "https://www.instagram.com/shafistandsup/") — limited run engagement!** Get ready for a night full of laughs with **Shafi Hossain** live at the **Backroom Comedy Club**! Join us on **Aug 7 & 8, 2026 at 8PM & 10PM (Eastern Time)** for an unforgettable comedy show. This is a special present for **NEW YORK BENGALI COMEDIAN** event you won’t want to miss. Bring your friends and enjoy some great vibes and hilarious moments in person! **Venue & Show Info:** * **Doors Open:** 30minutes before the shows * **Venue:** Located downstairs \| 19\+ only \| Uncensored comedy — discretion advised * **Drinks & Food:** Bar during show \| Full food menu upstairs * **Parking -** Street and lot parking available * **Tickets -** First\-come\, first\-served\, limited seating \| Shows often sell out Don’t miss your chance to see Shafi Hossain live — this is a **must-see comedy weekend**.

Hike & Swim the Grotto at Bruce Peninsula National Park

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/hike-swim-grotto)** We're doing a day trip to one of the most spectacular locations in Ontario: the Bruce Peninsula National Park. This area is full of unique, dramatic landscapes with stark cliffs and views over the enormous Georgian Bay. We'll be tackling a moderately difficult 8.5km hike through some of the most incredible summer scenery in Ontario. We're starting the day off by visiting the Grotto, perhaps the most famous natural spot in the province. We'll hike through the forest then along the beach, ending up at the incredible rock formations and crystal clear waters of the Grotto. Here we'll stop for lunch, taking in the incredible views and turquoise water before hiking on to the backcountry Stormhaven Campsite. On the way we'll cross pebble beaches, forest trails and unreal views of Lake Huron before coming back the way we came. **Please note that self drivers will need to purchase a permit for parking.** **Highlights** **Visit the Grotto:** Explore Ontario’s most famous natural landmark, where striking limestone cliffs meet crystal-clear turquoise waters. **Hike Pebble Beaches:** Walk across rugged shoreline beaches and forested trails that lead to the remote Stormhaven backcountry campsite. **Views of Georgian Bay:** Take in sweeping panoramas of cliffs and open water, with autumn colours adding even more drama to the landscape. **Event cost: $70+HST (for explorer members) - $70 optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/hike-swim-grotto)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***