About us
Wilderness Union makes it easy to get into the wild and find your outdoor crew. We plan regular, unique trips with great people each weekend, and arrange the transport along with all the gear you'll need. All you need do is show up.
We plan wilderness adventures to show you more of Ontario than you thought possible, and feel reset after the weekend. All of our trips are professionally guided and we do a huge variety of activities with regular hikes, camping, paddling, skiing, snowboarding and other special adventures.
We're obsessed with creating the most unique, professionally run, wilderness experiences that you'll find. Many of our trips are unique to Wilderness Union and you'll often visit places with nobody else around. It's just us and nature.
Join us to explore more of the incredible wilderness around our city, find your people and live your weekends to their fullest.
Our community
Our community of members is the heart of Wilderness Union and we carefully manage new applications to the group so you can feel confident that you'll be safe and surrounded by people you'll enjoy exploring with.
Members get access to all of our adventures, discounted pricing and other benefits including:
- Regular socials
- Discounts at outdoor retailers like MEC, Teva, Algonquin Outfitters and more
- Free, member led clubs like Run, Climb, Bike and Book Club
We'd love to have you join! Learn more here.
Most of our members are between the ages of 18-40 and live in the GTA.
Public Adventures
We offer a selection of Public adventures that are also open to non-members. Filter by adventure type on our website to find what's right for you.
Wondering why the RSVP count for events is low?
Members sign up for trips at www.wildernessunion.com - we just use Meetup to alert everybody to new adventures. We limit attendance to 18 people for our adventures and many more at our socials!
Want to figure out if Wilderness Union is right for you?
We host a regular new member intro session as an opportunity to learn more about the community, meet other members and get prepared for upcoming adventures. New members have a one month free trial and $25 in trip credit so you can try us out, risk free!
Upcoming events
5
Wilder Series: The Even Wilder Loop
Toronto, ON, CAPlease note the only way to register for this adventure is on our website.
We're heading somewhere new, and it's wilder than anything else in the series.
This is the first time WU is running the Even Wilder Loop, and it's the next step up in our Wilder Series, our lineup for those chasing bigger days out. The name isn't subtle. This is a remote, rugged backcountry in a less visited part of the park, and you'll feel it from the first kilometre.
The trail climbs and drops hard in places, with some scrambles along the way where you'll need your hands as well as your feet. Between the climbs, it opens onto barrens and meadows, and you'll see plenty of beaver dams along the way.
Partway through, the river crossing takes us through some rapids.
It's only 8.5 km, but it's some of the wildest 8.5 km we run.
Secret Location
This is one of Wilderness Union's 'secret' hikes. As a group, we visit some truly special spots that are undiscovered by the wider world. We like to keep them pristine and only share them among our members - we ask that you do the same! We reveal the location to registered members in the days before the trip.
Accessibility
Wilderness Union is committed to making our adventures as accessible as possible. If you wish to make an accommodation request relating to a disability or provide feedback, please do so by sending an email to info@wildernessunion.com
Highlights
The Rapids Crossing: The most memorable stretch of the day. You will get wet!
Wildlife Spotting: Bears, moose, beavers and loons are just some of the creatures that call this area home. You'll have a chance to spot some from a safe distance for a magical encounter.
A WU First: Nobody in the crew has done this loop with us before. You'll be part of the first group on it.
Itinerary
07:00 - Shuttle leaves from near Keele station
10:00 - 15:00 - Hike loop at secret location
15:00 - Anticipated return to cars
18:00 - Anticipated return to Toronto
Event cost: $66+HST. $50+HST optional transport also available. Please 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.com1 attendee
Cliffs & Fall Colours: A Bruce Peninsula Hike
Toronto, ON, CAPlease note the only way to register for this adventure is on our website.
The Bruce Peninsula does dramatic better than almost anywhere else in Ontario, and fall is when it really shows off.
We'll be out for most of the day, covering 8.5km of moderate hiking through some of the best autumn scenery in the province, with the changing leaves against the escarpment's limestone making for a proper contrast.
We'll start in the forest before the trail opens onto the coastline, tracing the cliffs down to the Grotto. It's the most photographed spot on the peninsula for good reason: crystal clear water, a sea cave carved into the rock, and a natural window out to the bay. We'll take our time here, including a stop for lunch.
From the Grotto we'll keep following the shoreline out to Stormhaven, crossing pebble beaches with open views across Georgian Bay the whole way. We'll turn around there and retrace the coastline back, catching all the same cliffs and colour from the other direction with the light shifted by then.
Two important things to note:
- Self driving isn't possible for this trip. Parking passes at the trailhead sell out well in advance, so all members travel together on WU transport.
- Bruce Peninsula National Park is stunning, but be aware that it is a long drive there and back. Full details are in the itinerary below.
Accessibility
Wilderness Union is committed to making our adventures as accessible as possible. If you wish to make an accommodation request relating to a disability or provide feedback, please do so by sending an email to info@wildernessunion.comHighlights
The Grotto: The peninsula's most famous natural feature: a limestone sea cave with turquoise water and a rock window looking out over Georgian Bay.
Stormhaven Coastline: A stretch of cobble beach with wide open views across the bay, well past where most day hikers turn around.
Fall Colour on the Escarpment: Peak autumn colour against the Niagara Escarpment's pale limestone cliffs, a contrast you don't get anywhere else on the Bruce Trail**.**Event cost: $140+HST. Transportation is included in the cost of the adventure. Please 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
1 attendee
One Last Backcountry Weekend in Frontenac
Toronto, ON, CAPlease note the only way to register for this adventure is on our website.
Fall (aka shoulder season) camping brings the serene beauty of the backcountry, without the crowds and bugs.
At this time of year, Frontenac will be less busy and the trail into Big Clear Lake belongs mostly to us. It's a 9km hike to reach the site, working through root tangled trails and stretches of open granite typical of this stretch of the Canadian Shield. Only the most stubborn leaves will remain on the trees and you’ll enjoy long sightlines through bare branches where the canopy used to be. The pace is steady and moderate the whole way in, never technical but never quite letting up either.
We set up camp on the shore of Big Clear Lake as the light starts to drop, we get a fire going, and cook dinner together. Late October nights out here are serene, with a sky full of stars over the lake.
In the morning, we’ll take our time over breakfast before packing up and heading out along the other side of Big Salmon Lake: a different stretch of trail from the one we hiked in on, with its own look at the park before we're back where we started.
By the time we're back at the cars, you'll have had that sweet final night of the year in the backcountry.
What's included
- Professional & certified guides
- All camp meals, cooking equipment and mess kits
- Tents
Sleeping bags and sleep pads can be rented from WU for a small fee.
Accessibility
Wilderness Union is committed to making our adventures as accessible as possible. If you wish to make an accommodation request relating to a disability or provide feedback, please do so by sending an email to info@wildernessunion.comHighlights
Last Trip of the Season: The final overnight on the calendar before WU's backcountry program pauses for winter
Shoulder Season Solitude: Long, quiet stretches of trail, with the lake mostly to yourselves.
A Clear Night Sky: Bare branches and dry autumn air make for some of the best stargazing conditions of the year at the campsite.Event cost: $265+HST. $70 optional transport also available. Please 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
3 attendees
Survivalist Series: Introduction to Firecraft
Toronto, ON, CAPlease note the only way to register for this adventure is on our website.
Discover the ancient art of safely creating and maintaining fire without lighters or matches!
For thousands of years, fire has been our greatest ally for warmth, safety, cooking, and survival. But in the wild, fire doesn’t come easy. It takes knowledge, patience, and the right technique.
We are back for the fourth installment of this popular course to teach you the beautiful art of fire. You’ll begin to master the craft with hands-on guidance from our expert firecraft instructor - guide Kyle.
You'll be shown and encouraged to practice:
1. Ferrocerium rod techniques with multiple tinders
2. Traditional flint & steel fire lighting
3. The art of hand-drill friction fire
This course will give you the foundation to create fire anywhere, anytime.
Included: Your own high-quality ferro rod to take home and keep the fire burning wherever you go.
Who It’s For: This course is for beginners and intermediate survivalists alike. Bring your curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a love of getting outside. This is an amazing opportunity not only to learn from our expert, but it's a fun, practical lesson at a uniquely low price.
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 coming soon!
Due to the cost of parking at Bronte Creek, WU transport is recommended for this course.
Accessibility
Wilderness Union is committed to making our adventures as accessible as possible. If you wish to make an accommodation request relating to a disability or provide feedback, please do so by sending an email to info@wildernessunion.com
Highlights
Ancient techniques: Learn unique firecraft techniques from long ago that do not need matches or a lighter.
Survivalist skills training: Develop essential skills to survive and thrive in the wild.
Fire kit included: Every participant gets this kit including a ferro rod and variety of tinders.
Itinerary
10:00 - Shuttle leaves from near Keele station
11:00 - Arrive at course location
11:00 - 16:00 - Introduction to fire craft course
16:00 - 17:00 - Drive back to Toronto
Event cost: $104+HST. $20 optional transport also available. Please 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.com1 attendee
Past events
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