Hiking Speed & Terrain Rating Info

Guests are welcome on our guided hikes. Choose a hike suited to your interests and physical abilities. Be honest with yourself in judging your abilities, remembering that we tire more quickly when walking on snow/rough terrain. Consult the hike description for the hike speed, length, and difficulty of terrain (if in doubt, contact the hike leader) which are explained in the charts below. 

Speed of Hike

 Slow 2 to 3 km/hr
 Moderate 3 to 4 km/hr
 Brisk/Fast 5+ km/hr

Terrain of Hike

Level 1  Well defined trails, gentle inclines. Hiking boots not required. Beginner-friendly; recommended for newcomers to club activities.
Level 2Generally on trail. May be hilly, with light bushwhacking, some rough spots or obstacles. Boots recommended.
Level 3Rough terrain (one or more of extensive bushwhacking, steep sections, long climbs and descents, beaver dams or other obstacles, rock scrambling). Boots, experience and a high level of fitness essential.

Calendar of Hikes by Difficulty

Upcoming events by Difficulty

    • 30 Mar 2025
    • 9:20 AM - 11:00 AM
    • Cataract and Aboyne Trails
    Register

    Spring Weekend Short Hike - Cataract/Trestle Bridge Trails

    Meet at 9:20 for 9:30 departure - 9:30-11:00

     We will hike along the Cataract, Terrace, Museum, Trestle Bridge and Aboyne trails. These trails are relatively flat however in the Aboyne Forest, the trail does have uneven areas and there a few staircases we will need to use.

    We will stop to view the Grand River then descend down the staircase to hike along it through the Aboyne Forest. 

    Please note - spring weather is unpredictable - please be prepared for muddy, slushy, icy or snowy trails  icers/micro spikes may be needed  

    Length: approximately 1 1/2 hrs -  5.6km

    Pace: moderate - approximation 4km/hr

    Parking:  389 Beatty Line North, Fergus (across from the CarQuest) 

    Required: water, hiking shoes/boots, icers/micro spikes (we may need them) dress for weather  

    Optional- poles

    No dogs please  

    Hike leader: Michelle Lebon

    Email leader if you have questions  

    email: milebon231@gmail.com



    • 1 Apr 2025
    • 9:45 AM - 12:30 PM
    • K.D. Woerner Family Trailway on Woolner Trail (a street) in Kitchener
    Register

    Spending Time in Nature Makes You Smarter

    Your memory, creativity and task performance increase much more after a walk in a park than on a city street.

    Increasing outdoor time for your health is so well proven, that nature is being adopted worldwide as a health intervention and in Canada, healthcare providers can even write you a prescription for it, with BC Parks Foundation's PaRx program. Nature is becoming the fourth pillar of health just as important for staying healthy as good nutrition, regular exercise and sleep.

     Whether or not you have a PaRx Nature prescription, we can help.
    Here's how:

    Our Walk April 1, 2025
    (You must register online to join this walk.)

    We'll walk a section of the Grand Valley Trail and Grand River Trail in Kitchener.  These trails follow the Grand River.  It's an out-and-back hike, but we may also do a loop through Natchez Woods, if not too muddy. This is a moderately difficult walk. The trail is now free of snow and the flood waters have receded from the trail.  There is some debris on the trail caused by flooding, but it didn't block the trail when I prehiked it March 25. There are a few steep hills. Total distance walked will be 10 Km.

    To join this walk, meet at the K.D. Woerner Family Trailway on Woolner Trail, (a street), in Kitchener, (see below for trailhead location), at 9:45 AM on April 1st.   GHTC members and non-members are all welcome to attend.

    Wear appropriate footwear and dress for the weather.   Bring water and snacks. No dogs please.

    The trailhead is directly across from 125 Woolner Trail, (a street in Kitchener.)

    Trailhead Google map location https://maps.app.goo.gl/YUfLKbUptGmwFKwN7 

    GPS coordinates: 43.44493315627018, -80.40180895366345

    Photo of trailhead: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanhadley/2860964939

    Walk leader: Ron - ronaldcherry002@gmail.com  contact leader with any questions.

     


    • 6 Apr 2025
    • 9:00 AM
    • 110 Rockmosa Drive, Rockwood
    • 7
    Register

    Carpool:
    Meet  8:50 AM Sunday, April 6,  at the Rockmosa Commuity Hall, 110 Rockwood Dr. (beside tennis courts) for a 9:00 AM carpool departure to the trailhead. The trailhead is the parking lot off of Guelph Line at the Mount Nemo C.A.

    Hike Details:
    Distance: 8 Km.  Pace: Moderate. Terrain: 2+  Hiking Time: 2 hours.

    A lovely forest walk, leading to some excellent escarpment views! Some rocky sections and exposed roots. Typical Bruce Trail with a few short hills. Come for the views, stay for lunch. We'll walk into the quarry where we hope there will be picnic tables, as there has been in past summers.

    For this hike your entrance fee into the park will be covered, if you join the carpool from Rockwood. The carpool will be limited to 15 people and therefore registration has been limited to 15. Registration limit may later be increased to 20 if there is enough demand. You must join the carpool from Rockwood to join this hike.

    What to Bring:
    Bring at least 2 L. of water, snacks, lunch. Dress for the weather. Hiking poles recommended. Hiking boots required. No dogs please. No dropout.

    Hike leaders:
    Pauline Russell - russells1830@gmail.com
    John Wright - john.wrightvfr@gmail.com



    • 20 Jul 2025
    • 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
    • Bus Pick Up: Covered Bridge Parking, 114 Gordon St, Guelph
    • 24
    Register

    Hike start time: 9 AM; Meet at Covered Bridge Parking Lot near 114 Gordon Street, Guelph; Board coach bus headed for Toronto

    Hike end time: Hike takes place 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM ending at the Rogers Centre; Bus will have us home by 7 PM in Guelph following conclusion of the Toronto Blue Jays game.

    Limit number of hikers: 36 is maximum hikers allowed; Only 36 spots on the bus for hikers.

    Hike description GHTC is excited to invite you to our second annual Blue Jays Bus Hike!  This is a GHTC fundraising event that started in 2024.

    This year’s proceeds will go toward updating GHTC’s branding/website.  These valuable resources help spread word about our club to the surrounding community.  Updating these vital marketing tools for our club will help us further our mission by attracting new members/donors, improve member/donor experience, and help GHTC raise our public profile. This short-term investment will have lasting impact putting additional funds back into our community!

    Our goal is to raise $6,000 toward these important Club initiatives.  The Blue Jays Bus Hike is one of our 2025 events that will help us reach our goal.

    Join us for a unique experience that combines hiking with seeing the Toronto Blue Jays take on the San Francisco Giants at the newly renovated Rogers Centre!  Hikers will have two different hike-types from which to choose.  Hike # 1 drop-off location will be at the Humber Bay Bridge (15 Marine Parade Dr. Loop at Lakeshore Blvd W) in Etobicoke.  Hike # 1 is ~7.5 km in length; moving at 4 km/hour pace along Toronto’s boardwalk adjacent to the waterfront.  Hike # 2 drop-off location is the Exhibition Place Wind Turbine (Alberta Circle).  Hike # 2 is ~3.4 km in length; moving at 2 km/hour pace along Toronto’s boardwalk adjacent to the waterfront.  Both hikes offer beautiful views of Lake Ontario and Toronto’s skyline as we approach the Rogers Centre by foot.  Once at the Rogers Centre, hikers will be able to offload any gear inside of our bus and then proceed into the Rogers Centre to take in the Blue Jays game!

    PRICING

    Pre-Sale Special (Ends Monday, March 31st): $185/Person (All-In) ***SAVE $40 OFF Regular Price!

    ***Pre-Sale Special offer requires a code that will be shared via our GHTC newsletter in mid-March!***

    Regular Price: $225/Person (All-In)

    The deadline to sign up is Monday, June 30th at 12 PM

     Your registration fee includes:

    • Roundtrip school bus transportation from Guelph to the Rogers Centre
    • One premium Blue Jay ticket to the game (Section 213 along first-base line; all seats are sun-covered)
    • Portion of your registration is eligible for charitable tax receipt; final amount determined by price paid and total number of spots sold.  Eligible tax receipt amount will range between 10 to 20% of purchase price.

    Registration is open to both GHTC members and non-members.  We welcome everyone who wishes to be part of our special event!

    Payments can be made by Interac E-transfer, cash, or cheque.  As this is a fundraising event, we will not accept credit card nor PayPal. Your spot is not confirmed until payment has been made in full and receipt has been issued. 

    Upon registration, you will receive an invoice that indicates payment options.  By registering for this event online, you agree to pay the above amounts in full upon receipt.  Due to limited capacity, there are NO REFUNDS for this event.  This event will be taking place, rain or shine.  It is your responsibility to wear weather-appropriate attire.

    Spaces are limited so be sure to reserve your spot today!    

    What to bring:  bagged lunch (if you wish), water, bug repellent, sunscreen, weather-appropriate attire, hat, sunglasses, athletic or hiking shoes; backpack

    Hike Rating

    Long Hike (7.5 km):  Athletic/Faster Pace; 2 hrs; Level 3; Experienced hikers only; 4-5 km/hr pacing.

    Short Hike (3.4 km):  Easy/Walking Pace; 2 hrs; Level 1; Leisurely hike; 2 km/hr pacing.

    Leader contact info: Colin McCusker, colin_mccusker@yahoo.com; 647-527-6271

    Email hike information and hike cancellation requests to colin_mccusker@yahoo.com; 647-527-6271



     


Easy Hike       Moderately Difficult      Difficult

                

Privacy Policy

Guelph Hiking Trail Club is a charitable organization Registration#11894 9395

PO Box 1, Guelph, ON, N1H 6J6 

ghtccommunications@gmail.com

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