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

    • 20 Apr 2024
    • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    • The Covered Bridge parking lot, 114 Gordon St., Guelph
    • 2
    Registration is closed

    Meet at the Covered Bridge parking lot, 114 Gordon St. by 10:55 AM for an 11:00 AM carpool departure to the trailhead. Trailhead is the parking lot at Forks of the Credit: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3e8LHccGqh1r7CAM9.

    Contact hike leader if joining hike at trailhead.

    Distance:12 Km. Pace: moderate, Difficulty:2/3. Hiking time: 3-4 hours. Leader: Ron, ronaldcherry002@gmail.com, 226-338-8969.

    A pretty trail along the banks of the Credit River. Bring at least 2 L. of water, snacks, lunch, sunscreen, bug spray, a hat and a raincoat. No dogs please. No dropout. Hiking boots required.

    This hike will be limited to 16 hikers. Registration will be cutoff 48 hours before the hike. To register after then, contact the hike leader.

    The carpool will need to be partly prearranged. If you are able to drive other hikers to the trailhead, please indicate "yes" when you register.  If you indicate "yes" the hike leader may contact you regarding purchase of a park day pass a few days before the hike.  The pass will need to be pre-purchased on-line.

    Remember to bring a little cash.  Although this is a free event, there is a fee per car for entering the park. You will be asked to pay a minimal amount to your driver, toward reimbursing the cost of entering the park.  



    • 21 Apr 2024
    • 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • Arkell Spring Grounds
    Register

    Starting at Gate C on Watson Road South, we will enter into the Arkell Spring Grounds and follow Section 2 of the Radial Line Trail, the Arkell Springs and David Hull side trails. These trails will take us through forests, meadows, and down into the valley. 

    Pace - moderate, approximately 9km, 2 hours

    Trail - uneven dirt packed with areas of rocks, roots, and possibly mud. The Arkell Springs side trail is an up and down section and there are a few steep inclines. 

    Required - hiking shoes, dress for the weather 

    Recommended - water, snack, hat, bug spray, sunscreen

    Optional - poles

    Parking - roadside by Gate C , Watson Road South (about 800m south of the Smith Property Trail).

    Hike Leader - Michelle Lebon, milebon231@gmail.com



    • 25 Apr 2024
    • 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
    Register

    Members only and their guest(s)

    Meet at 9am at the trail head on Watson Rd. Parking along Watson Rd south of Arkell Rd (Gate C)

    We will hike starting from Watson Rd into Arkell Springs and follow Section 2 and 3 of the Radial Line Trail, the Arkell Springs and David Hull side trails. These trails will take us through forests, along ridges, meadows, and down into the valley and out to the Eramosa River outlook.

    Trail - uneven dirt packed with areas of rocks, roots, and possibly mud. The Arkell Springs side trail is an up and down section and there are a few steep inclines. 

    Required - hiking shoes, dress for the weather 

    Recommended - water, snack, hat, bug spray, sunscreen

    Optional - poles

    Pace - moderate, Difficulty- Level 2

    approximately 2.5 hours, 10km Loop

    Hike Leader Melissa Anstey melissaanstey@icloud.com 519-400-2555


    • 26 Apr 2024
    • 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • Rockwood Conservation Area, 161 Fall Street South, Rockwood.
    • 13
    Register

    Enjoy this beautiful hike on the Cedar Ridge Trail and Pothole Trail, on both sides of the Eramosa River in the Rockwood Conservation Area.   Towering limestone cliffs, caves, glacial potholes and the ruins of the Harris Woolen Mill are a few of its natural wonders. 

    We will have fun participating in Vita Parcours stations throughout the hike.  

    What does Vita Parcours mean?  Vita means life in Latin and Parcours means a track or course in French.  The Vita Parcours stations will be mostly functional movements.  These exhilarating fitness stations will combine exercise, fresh air and vitamin “N” (Nature).  Be prepared to find your “inner child” on this hike!

    Level 1, Moderate pace, approximately 7 kms.

    Trail is mostly hard packed with a couple hills, hiking poles not required, running shoes are fine, bring water, no dogs please

    No park fee since the leader has three valid GRCA (Grand River Conservation Authority) passes.  Each pass will admit 6 people for a total of 18 participants. Permission has been given to park inside the conservation area.

    Anyone who would like to visit the Eramosa River Café, 185 Main St., Rockwood after the hike for lunch, please contact Marie by April 24, so reservations can be made, as this is a small café. 

    Hike Leader: Marie Burland, burlandmc@gmail.com

    Meeting Location: Rockwood Conservation Area

    • 27 Apr 2024
    • 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
    • 45 Speedvale Ave E

    For GHTC's 12th Annual Doors Open partnership with the Guelph Arts Council, we will be presenting The Rapids Sidetrail on Saturday April 27. 

    This 1 km GHTC sidetrail runs along the rapids of the Speed River in the Dufferin neighbourhood. The trail was created by the neighbours, and received a major upgrade from GHTC in 2020 during the height of the pandemic.

    30 minute hikes will be offered on demand from 10 till 3:30 from the REAR parking area behind 45 Speedvale Ave. E.

    Volunteers are welcome to take a shift at leading hikes or staffing the registration table.

    Contact Bill Mungall at mungallbill@gmail.com


    • 11 May 2024
    • 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    • Covered Bridge Parking Lot, 114 Gordon St., Guelph
    Register

    Meet in the Covered Bridge parking lot, 114 Gordon St., Guelph, for a 9:00 A.M. carpool departure to trailhead. Arrival at trailhead around 10:00 AM. Lunch on trail around 12:30. Plan to be back in Guelph between 4 and 5 P.M.

    Meet here for carpool: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9U2cptj9pad6JiBn7

    Distance:14.5 Km. Pace: Moderate. Terrain: 3. Hiking time: 4-5 hrs. Co-Leaders: Michelle, Ron.

    Contact: milebon231@gmail.com, 519-994-3025 or ronaldcherry002@gmail.com, 226-338-8969.

    Contact a hike leader if you wish to join the hike at the trailhead.
    Trailhead: https://goo.gl/maps/Hxavkwiu33so924C8

    This section of trail is twinned with Route 2 of the Jeju Olle Trail in S. Korea. Walk a soft winding trail beside several Km. of clear flowing streams. Tall hardwood, pine and cedar forests. Many short and sometimes steep, difficult climbs, but no rocky climbs or descents.

    Bring at least 2 L. water, bug repellant, sun screen, lunch and snacks, rain jacket. No dropout. No dogs please. Hiking boots required.

    A good level of fitness and cardio endurance is required to complete this hike!

    You must register online for this hike in order to attend!



Easy Hike       Moderately Difficult      Difficult

                

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