Free guided walks - October schedule

Friday, October 4

Paws & Preserve: A Leash-Up Adventure in the Rouge

Join us for a special "Paws and Preserve" evening hike through the beautiful trails of the Rouge during National Walk your Dog week. This pet-friendly walk is designed not only for enjoyment, but also to spread awareness about the importance of keeping our furry friends on a leash.

• Leaders: Linda G., Glenn B.
• Time: 5:30 pm
• Location: Vista 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: Families
• Dog friendly

Saturday, October 5

Fall colours

Join walk leader Michael and enjoy the park's beautiful fall colours and learn what causes leaves to go from green to yellow and red.

• Leaders: Michael T., Anne
• Time: 10 am
• 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: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Dog friendly

Ice, water and human hands

Discover the forces that formed the landscape we see today. 15,000 years of history in 2 hours with Stephen.

• Leaders: Stephen, Gary
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Cedar Trail and the Beare Wetlands Loop
• 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: Families
• Dog friendly

Sunday, October 6

Rouge farming

Join walk leader Marilyn to learn about the past, present and future of farming in the Rouge!

• Leaders: Marilyn, Feng
• Time: 10 am
• 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

Biodiversity in the Rouge

Join walk leader JoAnne as we learn about biodiversity: the different habitats, diverse flora and fauna in the park that are important in maintaining healthy ecosystems and preventing biodiversity loss.

• Leaders: JoAnne, Christopher
• 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: Easy
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Service dogs only

Saturday, October 12

Marching to your own drummer

People walk for exercise, enjoyment of nature, social time with friends, spiritual renewal, or just for fun. Some prefer fast, others slow; some even ground, others hills. Come explore different styles of walking and find the pace, terrain, and focus that works best for you. Please note that there is no washroom on site.

• Leaders: Katharina, Carolyn
• 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: Adults
• 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, Linda G.
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Tanglewood Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Dog friendly

Sunday, October 13

Rouge colours in transition

Join Glen and discover the beauty of the Rouge in fall and why these leaves are changing colour.

• Leaders: Glen, Judy, Denise
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Vista 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: Families
• Dog friendly

Monday, October 14

Snapsgiving with fall’s best colours in the Rouge

Looking for the best spot in the Rouge to enjoy fall colours this Thanksgiving? Join Michael on a festive hike through the brilliant display of orange, red, yellow, and green hues of the park. Bring your camera as he guides you to some of the best spots to capture that perfect fall photo and celebrate the season of gratitude in one of Rouge’s hidden gems. Please note: parking is limited, so carpooling is highly recommended.

• Leaders: Michael G., Doug
• Time: 12 pm
• Location: Monarch Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7933 14th Avenue, Markham – parking lot
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 1 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Dog friendly

Saturday, October 19

Fall changes

The crops are in. What is next? How do farmers and nature prepare for winter and how does a warmer planet factor in?

• Leaders: Peter V., Nancy
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Northeast Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 10725 Reesor Road, Markham – oTENTik (A-frame cabin)
• Additional Parking: 7445 Elgin Mills Road East, Markham; 7535 Elgin Mills Road East, Markham
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Adults
• Dog friendly

River meets lake

Join walk leader Judy and enjoy beautiful Lake Ontario’s waterfront and Rouge Marsh, home to a diversity of wildlife.

• Leaders: Judy, Marilyn
• Time: 1 pm
• Location: Rouge Marsh Trail
• Transit Accessible: Yes
• Meeting point: 195 Rouge Hills Dr., Scarborough – lower parking lot
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Easy, flat/paved or gently uneven
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Service dogs only

Sunday, October 20

Let’s talk turkey

Wild turkeys were almost driven to extinction in Southern Ontario. Join us and learn about this elusive bird with walk leader Brian.

• Leaders: Brian, Jane
• 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: Moderate
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Service dogs only

Autumn in the Rouge

Join walk leader Marie to learn about fall colours, where little critters go in the autumn and other Rouge fun facts!

• Leaders: Marie, Stephen
• Time: 1 pm
• 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: Moderate
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Dog friendly

Saturday, October 26

Photography and iNaturalist walk

Become a citizen scientist and investigate all the wild things in the Rouge! Join walk leader Gary on a slow investigative photography walk.

• Leaders: Gary, Michael G.
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Tanglewood Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 7277 14th Avenue, Markham – 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

How is the Oak Ridges Moraine connected to the Rouge?

Join Susan to discover Rouge National Urban Park's rivers and their connections to the Oak Ridges Moraine. Learn about the vital role this region plays in preserving our natural heritage.

• Leaders: Susan, Linda H.
• 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: Families
• Service dogs only

Sunday, October 27

Nature journaling

Join walk leader Marilyn as we learn to slow down, pay attention, and discover new things about the world around us!

• Leaders: Marilyn, Linda G.
• Time: 10 am
• Location: Northeast Trail
• Transit Accessible: No
• Meeting point: 1867 Concession Road 2, Whitchurch-Stouffville – parking lot
• Distance: 1 km – 5 km
• Difficulty: Moderate, possible hills and/or stairs
• Pace: Easy
• Duration: 2 hours
• Age Range: Families
• Service dogs only