Take a walk with us on these specially-themed outings. We'll introduce you to Rouge Park and look more closely at the diverse areas that make up this natural quilt.

Our leaders will guide the way, with some special guests adding extra colour to the walks. We promise you'll fall in love with Rouge Park!

Meet our guest experts.

For more about OPG and biodiversity, visit opgbiodiversity.ca

Where to Join Your Walk

Walks meet at one of these areas for our Toronto trails - look for our new meeting point signs or for your walk leader. Please arrive about 10 minutes ahead of the start time.

Meeting Point for Cedar, Vista and Orchard Trails:
Roadside Parking area near Pearse House/Rouge Valley Conservation Centre , 1749 Meadowvale Road at Zoo Road (follow signs for Rouge Valley Conservation Centre)

TTC: Bus 85 or 86 via Toronto Zoo, alight opposite the zoo, and walk east toward Pearse House

Meeting Point for Mast Trail:
Glen Rouge Campground Parking Area, 7450 Kingston Road

TTC: Bus 85a, alight at Port Union Road/Sheppard Av. E. for Kingston Road north side and walk east to the campground on Kingston Road

Meeting Point for Woodlands Trail:
19 Reesor Road, south of Steeles

Meeting Point for Rouge Beach:
Rouge Beach Parking Area, at the bottom of Rouge Hills Drive, at the eastern end of Lawrence Av. E.

TTC: Bus 85 Sheppard to Rouge Hills GO Station, then walk east on Lawrence Ave. E. for 1km
OR 54 Lawrence East to Starspray Blvd., and walk about 500metres east

You can also reach the Park via GO train and bus:
Rouge Hills GO station on the Lakeshore East line is walking distance from the Beach and Marsh, and connects to TTC route 85.
GO bus 94 via Oshawa and Yorkdale connects to TTC route 85 on Kingston Rd. at Port Union/Sheppard.

Have a question? Drop us a line at hike@rougepark.com. We can get back to you between Monday and Thursday.

Wednesday September 22

9:30am Woodlands 5.5km Leader: Brian Challenge: Easy Pace: Easy Duration: 2 hours What to expect: Let's take a morning walk in this tranquil area with meadows, a bird flyway and expansive views to catch the fall colours! Bring binoculars to watch the skies for turkey vultures riding the wind. Family Friendly: Energetic kids up for this distance and wee ones in carriers welcome. Dog Friendly?: Yes

Saturday September 25

9:30am Mast 5km Biodiversity Walks in partnership with OPG Welcome to Rouge Park Leader: Salvita Challenge: Moderate Pace: Easy-Moderate Duration: 2 hours What to expect: From start to finish, Rouge Park's trails give a snapshot of the diverse ecological areas to be found in the Park including riparian (waterside), ridge, coast, forest and meadow. It's also a good workout! We'll introduce you to Rouge Park, but if you are a regular visitor, come and share your stories with us! Family Friendly: Energetic kids up for this distance and wee ones in carriers welcome. Dog Friendly?: Yes 12:00pm Cedar 5km Biodiversity Walks in partnership with OPG The Mixed Forest Leader: Diana Challenge: Moderate Pace: Easy-Moderate Duration: 2 hours What to expect: Let's walk through a mixed forest canopy; that's a forest with deciduous (leafy) and coniferous (evergreen) trees. We'll talk about how this combination works to provide habitat and food for animals, and a wonderful palette of shapes and textures for us to enjoy. Let's see how many species of trees we can identify, and talk about how trees 'get along with each other'. Family Friendly: Energetic kids up for this distance and wee ones in carriers welcome. Dog Friendly?: Yes 2:00pm Vista and Orchard 5km Biodiversity Walks in partnership with OPG Reading the Land: Geology and Glacial History in Rouge Park Leader: Jelena Challenge: Easy-Moderate Pace: Easy Duration: 2 hours What to expect: The 'face' of Rouge Park is identified with the impressive cliff faces found at many points along the Rouge River and Little Rouge Creek. We're joined by hydrogeologist, Don Ford, from the Toronto Region Conservation Authority to help us 'read' these cliffs. Created as far back as 30,000 years ago by glacial activity, these layers tell stories about our past. What we now see is much different from 'the early years'. Let's find out what these layers will reveal. Family Friendly: Energetic kids up for this distance and wee ones in carriers welcome. Dog Friendly?: Yes

Sunday September 26

9:30am Vista and Orchard 5km Biodiversity Walks in partnership with OPG Protect and Enjoy: How We Can Help Wildlife Leader: Marie Challenge: Easy Pace: Easy-Moderate Duration: 2 hours What to expect: Rouge Park at first glance presents a feeling of open green space. When we look more closely, it's a nature reserve with places for people, places for animals and places for undisturbed natural growth. On these walks, we're going to talk about how we can best enjoy Rouge Park while protecting it, plus look at other ways our actions can help preserve wildlife and the places in which we find it. Today, we'll learn about Species at Risk with Rouge Park summer intern, Heidi Brown. Family Friendly: Energetic kids up for this distance and wee ones in carriers welcome. Dog Friendly?: Yes 12:00pm Woodlands 5km Biodiversity Walks in partnership with OPG Fall Colours Leader: Diana Challenge: Moderate Pace: Easy-Moderate Duration: 1.75 hours What to expect:It's that time again! Time for Rouge Park to show off it's colourful autumn coat. Diana is joined today by Rouge Park biologist, Vicki MacDonald. Come often for these walks to watch the progression and profusion without the long drive in search of a 'colour corridor'. Learn more about how this hallmark of Ontario's fall landscape happens, and captivates us every year. Family Friendly: Energetic kids up for this distance and wee ones in carriers welcome. Dog Friendly?: Yes 2:00pm Beare Wetlands around Cedar 3km Biodiversity Walks in partnership with OPG Wetland Habitat Leader: Diana Challenge: Easy Pace: Easy Duration: 2 hours What to expect: Wetland life is a world of its own, supporting animals and plants seen and unseen. Let's join Bob Clay of the Toronto Region Conservation Authority's Restoration Services group, to learn more about wetland ecology and how it works. Family Friendly: Energetic kids up for this distance and wee ones in carriers welcome. Dog Friendly?: Sorry, no dogs in this outing.

Wednesday September 29

9:30am Cedar 5km Leader: Diana Challenge: Easy-Moderate Pace: Easy Duration: 2.5 hours What to expect: The changing seasons may be more evident as we end September. Let's see how things are moving from Summer to Fall and enjoy a quiet morning in the Park. Family Friendly: Energetic kids up for this distance and wee ones in carriers welcome. Dog Friendly?: Yes