Free guided walks - May schedule

Saturday, May 4

Spring Flowers

Join walk leader Marie in search of spring blooms, including ephemerals that last only a few weeks every spring.

• Leaders: Marie, Anne
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Central Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7445 Elgin Mills Road East, Markham – parking lot
• Additional Parking: 7535 Elgin Mills Road East, Markham; 10725 Reesor Road, Markham
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Service dogs only

 

Everything depends on Everything

How would the Rouge be different if there weren't any coyotes? What if the bugs or the fungi disappeared? Let's learn about life's interdependence as we hike among the flora and fauna of the Rouge, and how to preserve it!

• Leaders: Katharina, Stephen
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Tallgrass Trek
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Dog Friendly

 

Sunday, May 5

Songbirds

The Rouge is home to 247 bird species, though some are in decline. Bring your binoculars and join walk leader Brian to learn more about the threats facing birds and what is being done to help them. Please note there is no washroom on site.

• Leaders: Brian, Sarah
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Woodland Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 19 Reesor Road, Scarborough – parking lot
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Service dogs only

 

Calling all Rouge Rookies!

New to Canada's first National Urban Park? Join walk leader Markus to learn what the Rouge has to offer and how to discover the magic it has to offer.

• Leaders: Markus, Doug
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Orchard Trail
• Transit Accessible: Yes
• Meeting point: 25 Zoo Road, Scarborough – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Service dogs only

 

Saturday, May 11

The Measure of a Tree

Why do trees fall down? Join Peter to discover and compare the various trees on the plateau, ridges and valley of the Rouge.

• Leaders: Peter V., Moaz
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Mast Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 55 Twyn Rivers Drive, Scarborough – parking lot 
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate to difficult, depending on experience, with some steep hills and stairs
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Service dogs only

 

Urban Environmental Restoration

Trek through Rouge National Urban Park with walk leader Carolyn and learn what was done to maintain healthy ecosystems.

• Leaders: Carolyn, Anne
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Tallgrass Trek
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Dog Friendly

 

Sunday, May 12

Longer Days

Join Doug to learn about spring in the Rouge, including the first flowers, insects emerging from winter, and bird activity.

• Leaders: Doug, Marie
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Monarch Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 5 km – 8 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Service dogs only

 

Saturday, May 18

Bird Photography and iNaturalist for Beginners

Become a citizen scientist and join walk leader Gary for a leisurely bird photography walk in the Rouge! Downloading iNaturalist or a bird ID app is recommended for this hike. Binoculars are also recommended. 

• Leaders: Gary, Geri, Carolyn
• Time: 8:30 am
• Location: Tallgrass Trek
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Service dogs only

 

Fungi and Mushrooms

Join Richard for a forest walk and enjoy the splendid varieties and abundance of fungi and mushrooms.

• Leaders: Richard, Judy
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Mast Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7450 Kingston Road, Scarborough – parking lot
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate to difficult, depending on experience, with some steep hills and stairs
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Service dogs only

 

Sunday, May 19

Avian Adventure: Intermediate Birding Excursion

Explore the avian wonders of the Rouge with walk leader Glen on this intermediate-level bird walk and hone your bird identification skills. Participants are advised to download the free app Merlin and bring binoculars.

• Leaders: Glen, Markus
• Time: 8:30 am
• Location: Beare Wetlands Loop and Orchard Trail
• Transit Accessible: Yes
• Meeting point: 25 Zoo Road, Scarborough – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Service dogs only

 

Xplorers!

Join walk leader Marilyn and discover what's special about Rouge National Urban Park with a scavenger hunt!

• Leaders: Marilyn, Doug
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Harvest Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7445 Elgin Mills Road East, Markham – parking lot
• Additional Parking: 7535 Elgin Mills Road East, Markham; 10725 Reesor Road, Markham
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Dog Friendly

 

Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26

Doors Open – Welcome to the Rouge!

This year we are participating in Doors Open Toronto on May 25 and 26. Four 45-minute guided walks in Rouge National Urban Park will be offered to participants who have pre-registered with Doors Open Toronto each day. For more information, please visit Doors Open Toronto's website.