Wilderness Hiking

**UPDATE -** *Meeting Time is changed to 3pm. This event is rain or shine.* **ABOUT** Join us for refreshing spring hike at **Tommy Thompson Park**, one of Toronto’s most scenic waterfront nature areas. This relaxed group hike is a great way to enjoy fresh air, meet new people, and take in stunning skyline and lake views. We’ll walk at an easy-to-moderate pace with breaks for photos and conversation. No hiking experience required. ### 🚶 What to Expect * Approx. **6–8 km round trip** (flat terrain) * Easy to moderate pace * Beautiful spring lake & skyline views * Friendly, social atmosphere * Perfect for beginners and casual hikers *** ### 👟 What to Bring * Warm jacket, gloves. * Comfortable walking shoes or boots * Optional: snacks, sunglasses *** ### ⚠️ Important Notes * This is an **outdoor activity** – please dress for the weather * Event may be postponed in case of extreme weather *** ### 🤝 Who Can Join Open to adults of all fitness levels. Come solo or bring a friend — everyone is welcome! **Free Parking** Parking lot - small/medium sized parking lot Street Parking - Leslie Street, Unwin Ave **TTC** TTC bus stop is 5 mins walk to meeting spot. TTC street car is 15 mins walk to meeting spot. 💬 **Stay Connected:** ***Join Whatsapp Group - [CLICK HERE](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflzD3fDrU5sLARAT5yDF3OhEu3Vj-2P7ci8mP5FYX46rt1NQ/viewform)*** ***Follow on Instagram - [CLICK HERE](https://www.instagram.com/tam.club/)***

**UPDATE -** *Meeting Time is changed to 3pm. This event is rain or shine. If you are still planning to attend, pls bring umbrella or rain jacket.* **ABOUT** Join us for refreshing spring hike at **Tommy Thompson Park**, one of Toronto’s most scenic waterfront nature areas. This relaxed group hike is a great way to enjoy fresh air, meet new people, and take in stunning skyline and lake views. We’ll walk at an easy-to-moderate pace with breaks for photos and conversation. No hiking experience required. *** ### 🚶 What to Expect * Approx. **6–8 km round trip** (flat terrain) * Easy to moderate pace * Beautiful winter lake & skyline views * Friendly, social atmosphere * Perfect for beginners and casual hikers *** ### 👟 What to Bring * Warm winter jacket, gloves, and hat * Comfortable winter walking shoes or boots * Optional: snacks, sunglasses *** ### ⚠️ Important Notes * This is an **outdoor winter activity** – please dress for the weather * Event may be postponed in case of extreme weather *** ### 🤝 Who Can Join Open to adults of all fitness levels. Come solo or bring a friend — everyone is welcome! *** **[Join WhatsApp Group Chat](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeV7PTQJLHF_vOb6ND0PxA0jHX3JYviVJR7BNsByG8PUMzR3w/viewform)** *Signing up in advance helps us plan better. If you attend the event without signing up or permission, there will be a $9 support fee.*

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/hockley-valley-and-winery)** ***Just over an hour outside of Toronto, enjoy a leisurely hike along the Niagara Escarpment, ending with great food & drink overlooking a vineyard.*** Hockley Valley offers some of the best hiking in the GTA. It’s especially beautiful in the spring time with the trees budding, the ice thawing and no bugs to be found. This hike covers a gentle 6km and brings you over trickling streams and bridges, winds through diverse, piney forests filled with fungi and brings you out to hilly meadows where you may spot the first few wildflowers of the season pushing through. After the hike, we’ll gather together for some time at the Adamo Estate Winery right beside the park to eat, drink and socialize with good company. **Please note anything purchased at the winery is not included in the cost of your registration.** **Highlights** **Diverse Landscapes-** Embrace the wide array of different landscapes you will encounter throughout this adventure **Winery Experience-** Savour amazing wines from a great Ontario producer **Group Social Moment-** The perfect opportunity to connect and chat with fellow WU members **Event cost: $40+HST - optional transport available.** **Register [here. ](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/hockley-valley-and-winery)** **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/)***

A gentle, guided forest bathing experience centred on surrender inviting you to soften, release, and reconnect with nature. SURRENDER Brokenhearted? Feel deeply, maybe more than others? Having a hard time letting go? Struggle with anger or intensity? Have walls up that just won’t come down? This walk is for you. Join us for our next forest bathing experience where we will explore the practice of surrender gently releasing control, softening resistance, and learning to be present with what is. Through a series of guided. invitations, we will explore: • Connecting with the present moment • Allowing grief and emotion to move through • Reframing inner challenges • Releasing expectations and control This is a space to open your heart not by force, but by allowing. You’ll be guided through an embodied experience to connect with your heart space and move through feelings of hurt, dissatisfaction, perfectionism, heartbreak, or sadness… at your own pace. We will begin with a grounding practice and crystal energy clearing to settle the nervous system and open the space. This is not a hike it’s a slow, mindful wander into the forest. 🕊 Duration: \~2 hours 🌿 No experience necessary — beginners welcome 🤍 Come exactly as you are 🪶 Bring something to sit on if you’d like This walk will be rain or shine. Dress for the weather. We will meet in front of the High Park Forest School 📍375 Colborne Lodge Dr There is no car access into the park on the weekends. There is paid parking options on surrounding streets be mindful of parking. The forest is the therapist, the guide opens the door. 💫 ⸻ Disclaimer: I am a certified forest therapy guide, not a licensed medical or mental health professional. This experience is not therapy or a substitute for professional care. Please participate in a way that feels safe and supportive for you.

What's good to eat at the airport? Not much, and almost nothing before security. Still, we'll go through Pearson Airport Terminals 1 and 3, checking out public art works and the paltry amount of food options. Airports can be great hiking destinations. The ones in Whitehorse, London Gatwick, and Singapore have trails through the terminals and around the runways, connecting to green spaces. Unfortunately, YYZ is not one of those airports. There is no pedestrian access so we have to settle with taking the (free) train to get out. In the second part of the hike, we'll head to Malton. It was once the aeronautical hub of Canada and a leading innovator on the world stage. The Avro Arrow aircraft was the crowning achievement and Malton boomed around the aviation industry. However, Avro quickly fell apart after government cuts. Some of the bright minds there went on to NASA for moon missions. Today, Malton has a neglected feel to it. Even Walmart left the neighbourhood in 2021. Its aviation history lives on in scattered monuments. It's a little corner that Mississauga forgot. The food landscape here is cheap South Asian food. We'll end at a rejuvenated mall packed with Indian and Pakistani stores, where we have a range of places for snacking. **Highlights** 1. Inuksuit sculpture at Airport Terminal 1 departure level (depart 2:30pm) 2. Artworks at Terminal 1 3. Airport train ride 4. Terminal 3 5. Viscount station (depart 3:05pm) 6. Zet's Restaurant 7. Food at Flightpath Centre 8. Food plazas around Airport Rd and Derry Rd / Mughal Mahal (depart 3:55pm) 9. Avro Canada Monument / Malton Sign 10. New Cane Grove 11. Food court at Westwood Square (arrive 4:40pm) **Neighbourhoods** Toronto Pearson Airport > Malton **Map** [https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1ILncsGq4j07ndVKkB9woQWCRBb2FQLI&usp=sharing](https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1ILncsGq4j07ndVKkB9woQWCRBb2FQLI&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.

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/spring-birdwatching-26)** ***Join us at Tommy Thompson park in Toronto to experience spring migration in all its glory.*** Back by popular demand, our expert birdwatching guide Pedro Hernandez from [Outdoor Commute](https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.commute/) will be leading his Introduction to Birdwatching Workshop. This experience is designed for beginners and regular birders alike who are curious about the birds that share our city. Together, we’ll learn how to identify both local and migratory species, practice using binoculars, and explore field guides and apps, all while deepening our appreciation for the natural world around us. **What we might see:** The end of April and into May is peak spring migration season in Ontario. Tommy Thompson Park is one of the best birding spots in the province and is located right in the city. Depending on conditions, we might encounter warblers, sparrows, thrushes, and waterfowl such as northern shovelers and gadwalls, along with year-round residents like red-tailed hawks, black-capped chickadees, and northern cardinals. **Please note that binoculars are included in the cost of the adventure and that, due to the Toronto location, transportation is not offered.** **Highlights** **Spring Migration -** Experience birding at one of the best times of year, connecting with both local and travelling species before many move south for the winter. **Binoculars Included -** Every participant will get to use a pair of high quality NOCS binoculars. **Professional Birder -** Learn from Pedro Hernandez, founder of the popular Instragram account Outdoor Commute **Event cost: $50+HST - optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/spring-birdwatching-26)** **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 join me for an exciting hike at Humber River North Trail. · **Trail Description**: check out the trail here: [https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/ontario/humber-river-north-trail](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/ontario/humber-river-north-trail) · **Distance**: approx. 11km · **Pace**: moderate, 4 to 4.5km/h · **Meeting Point**: 4901 Rutherford Rd, Vaughan, ON L4H 3C2 (Parking Lot at Emily Carr Secondary School) · **Estimated Duration**: 3 to 3.5hrs **Essentials**: Water, snacks, proper hiking boots and poles, and weather-appropriate clothing **Important Reminder:** **📝** By participating in this hike, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to the **[Liability Waiver and Acknowledgement of Risk](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIzC6o_9ncbMGYW8yI1EcD6YaTHDLgwjY6AsxbR3I_YNLHBg/viewform).** If you have not done so, we kindly request that you refrain from participating in this event. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to an enjoyable and safe adventure! · **Dress for the weather!** Prepare for the weather and wear suitable gear for the trail · **Arrive on time!** Please be punctual, as the group will leave on time · **Know your limits!** Choose hikes that match your fitness level

You may expect 2 hours hike so bring your smile and following someone with bandana (me)

This classic Rouge Valley hike features excellent examples of rare Carolinian ecosystems while traversing a 200-year-old former logging route where pine trees were cut and floated down the river, eventually bound for ship building yards in Europe. This is an intermediate hike. We will be parking at Rouge National Urban Park, Twyn Rivers Day Use Area. 55 Twyn Rivers Dr, Scarborough, ON M1B 5R9 If you get lost, please call my cell: 647-949-6912 **Important Reminder:** By participating in this hike, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to the Liability Waiver and Acknowledgement of Risk. If you have not done so, we kindly request that you refrain from participating in this event. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to an enjoyable and safe adventure! • Arrive on time! Please be punctual, as the group will leave on time. • Know your limits! Choose the hike that match your fitness level.

**History** The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville. Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people. As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support. The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts. In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area. **Map of the Park** Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks. The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.

Hi ladies. Let's hike the Edward Thomas, Spring Creek, and a little multi-purpose trail - approximately 4 miles. Please bring a water bottle as needed and appropriate shoes. Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area.

Hi ladies. We will meet in front of the Nature Center and head to the two Observation decks. We will then hike Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook and Sugarbush trails to get approximately four miles total distance. We will walk approximately a 18 minute mile pace. Please wear appropriate hiking shoes.

Hi ladies. Let's hike the Edward Thomas, Spring Creek, and a little multi-purpose trail - approximately 4 miles so please wear your shoe of choice. Please bring a water bottle as needed and appropriate shoes. Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area.

This is a small but pretty park with a 1.7-mile loop. We will walk it 2 times. It goes along a ridge and has moderate elevation changes.

June 17, 2026: Worthington Library. Wild Ohio: The Best of Our Natural Heritage. Jim McCormac. Worthington, Ohio. 7 pm.