Wilderness Union Toronto - Outdoor Adventure and Hiking Club

Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on our website.

Join us for this essential course as we break down the foundations of wilderness canoeing!

We are heading north to help you build up the necessary skills for your summer adventures. This isn't a rigid certification course but a practical, hands-on clinic led by our two master paddler guides, Rory & Zac. They will share their breadth of knowledge gathered over many years of paddling to help you feel confident and prepared on the water.

In this course you will learn:

• Fundamentals of canoeing safely and effectively
• Bowing & sterning
• Paddle strokes & techniques (including the J stroke!)
• Capsizing & righting a canoe

Who is this course for?: It is a day designed for anyone who wants to stop fighting the wind and start gliding through the wilderness with ease.

If you have never held a paddle before and want to start with the right habits, then this clinic is for you. If you have some experience but want to refine your technical skills for longer trips, then our guides can help you dial in your form. We provide the canoes, paddles, and safety gear so you can just focus on the rhythm of the water.

Interested in joining this year’s Epics? Completing this and other relevant courses will support your approval process for advanced adventures.

Included: Rentals for the canoes, paddles & life preservers.

Who It’s For: Beginner and intermediate paddlers who want to develop and hone their skills, as well as practice real-world simulations of emergency situations.

Highlights
Outdoors Skills Training: Develop essential skills to survive and thrive in the wild.
Expert Instructors: Our amazing expert guides will teach you everything you need to know in a safe and fun way.
Backcountry Readiness: These skills are the building blocks for every major wilderness expedition we run. Mastering these basics ensures you are ready to tackle vast, untouched lakes and winding rivers on your next big trip.

Event cost: $95+HST - $50 optional transport available.
Register here.

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

Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on our website.

Join us as we head back into the massive, untouched wilderness of Algonquin Park for our second camping adventure of the year!

We are returning to the legendary home of Ontario nature to soak in the early season vibes. Algonquin is famous for its tall trees and stunning scenery. This trip is an easy introduction to the wild, making it perfect for those who want to get comfortable in the woods, while still having the convenience of a frontcountry site.

Our base for the weekend is a site on the edge of Whitefish Lake, where we will have plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the fresh forest air. You can hike, learn to master a campfire or simply relax by the water as the sun dips below the tree line. When night falls, we will share a communal meal under some of the clearest, most magic star-filled skies you have ever seen.

On day 2 of this adventure, we’ll take the morning to learn canoe fundamentals from our guides. Once we complete the lesson, you can either hang out at camp and relax on the beach or paddle to one of two stunning hikes near the camp.

We have handled all the logistics and gear so you can focus on making new friends and soaking in the peace of the woods. If you are looking to build your confidence for more rugged trips later in the summer, this is the perfect place to start.

What's included

• Professional & certified guides
• ‍All camp meals, cooking equipment and mess kits
• ‍Tents
• Canoe rental

Whether you are a seasoned camper or it is your first time in a tent, this adventure has something for everyone.

Highlights
Learn Camp Skills - Our guides will show you how to set up a tent, build a roaring fire and any other skills you want to learn so you can feel totally prepared for the season ahead.
Stargazing - Free of light pollution, the stargazing at Algonquin is otherworldly.
‍Canoeing on Whitefish Lake - Paddle through amazing scenery with our expert guides.

Event cost: $350+HST - optional transport available.
Register here.

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

Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on our website.

Get ready for one of the hardest day-hike adventures in Wilderness Union history!

Welcome to the next installment of the Wilder Series: this gorgeous, nearly 30km hike through Beaver Valley is not for the faint of heart. The pay off, however, is incredible, as you’ll pass multiple waterfalls, experienec stunning hilltop views and finish with a huge sense of accomplishment for completing this challenging adventure.

While more rural than wild, you will feel immersed in remote nature with few other people to be found as you trek along the trail. You can expect lush forest canopies, diverse terrain and a great group to adventure onwards with. Due to the length of this adventure, we will move at a continuous pace of 3-3.5km per hour.

While Ontario is fairly flat, this loop has significant elevation gain. You can expect a lot of ascents and descents throughout the day, which will make the distance covered more challenging but the views that much more exquisite.

Please note that attendees will need a high fitness level to successfully complete this adventure. This will be a serious challenge!

Highlights
Stunning waterfalls: Experience two of Ontario’s most stunning water features- Eugenia Falls and Hogg’s Falls.
Secluded wilderness: Enjoy the feeling of near total seclusion on the trail. Just you, the forest and your fellow adventurers.
Type 2 fun: This adventure will not be easy but, for those willing to meet the challenge, it will be supremely rewarding!

Event cost: $50+HST (for explorer members) - $50 optional transport available.
Register here.

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

Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on our website.

We’re heading east for a sun-soaked day trip through Prince Edward County and along the beautiful shores of Sandbanks Provincial Park!

Our journey starts with a classic Ontario pit stop at the Big Apple in Colborne, where you can meet the farm animals and pick up some delicious baked goods for the road.

From there, we’ll make our way into Picton, the quaint hub of the County. You’ll have about an hour to wander through quiet independent bookstores or admire the historic facade of the Regent Theatre. Whether you want to grab a local brew at the County Canteen or find a hidden gallery, the town offers a perfect slice of small-town Ontario magic.

The afternoon belongs to you and the beautiful white sands of Sandbanks Provincial Park. You can choose to spend your hours lounging by the water and swimming or trekking the unique trails that trace along the sand dunes.

However you choose to spend it, this is exactly what warm June days were made for.

NB: As this is a multi-stop adventure to popular locations, it's important that the group stays together and avoids delays. As such, self-driving will not be available.

Highlights
Small Town Charm- Step into a picturesque Ontario town full of wonderful food, shops & attractions
Pristine Coastal Dunes - Lounge about or explore the sprawling landscape and white sand dunes of Sandbanks Provincial Park
Local Treats - From world-famous cider doughnuts to creamy scoops of handcrafted ice cream, something sweet awaits

Event cost: $110+HST (for explorer members) with transportation included.
Register here.

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