Monthly Update for February 2026 |
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A Word from Our President |
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Dear members,
I was out on the trails yesterday, and the beauty of the landscape reminded me why we do what we do. As the weather begins to turn and the days grow warmer, we can’t wait to see everyone back on the trails. Whether you’ve been hiking all winter or are waiting for the thaw, there is no better time to reconnect with our 90km of regional paths.
I’m grateful to work with a dedicated team and board committed to sustaining access to these trails for decades to come. Our recent momentum is a testament to that: our foray into the Farmer’s Market was a huge success, with memberships and over 50 handbooks sold in just three market days!
To keep this energy going, we are seeking a Retail Coordinator to help manage inventory, schedule volunteers, and expand our reach into local businesses. If you’re passionate about growing our community presence and have some spare time to lend, we’d love to hear from you. Please reach out to Jane or me to chat over coffee about the role.
Happy hiking, and enjoy the sunshine as it returns!
Cheers,
Justin |
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GHTC 2026 Winter Challenge! |
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#GHTCWinterChallenge2026
Winter is a beautiful time to explore our local trails, and we’re inviting all members to take part in the Guelph Hiking Trail Club’s Winter Challenge—a fun way to celebrate the season, stay active, and connect with your fellow hikers.
The Challenge Card is filled with simple, enjoyable activities: snapping a photo of a wintery scene, trying a new trail, joining a group hike, spotting wildlife, visiting a local landmark, or even sharing your favourite winter gear. Complete as many squares as you like—every activity is an opportunity to get outside and enjoy “Fantastic Local Hiking.”
How to Participate
- Complete activities on the Winter Challenge card anytime between now and March 19, 2026.
- Share your photos on Facebook or Instagram using #GHTCWinterChallenge2026.
- Tag @guelphhiking so we can feature your moments and cheer one another on.
Whether you complete one square or the whole card, we hope this challenge brings a little extra joy to your winter season. Thank you for being part of our community—and happy hiking!
If you have questions, feel free to reach out to our Membership Coordinator, Sam Gow. |
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Trail Tip: The "Driveway Warm-Up"
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Before you head out to the trailhead, try shovelling snow for 10 minutes. It’s a productive way to get your heart rate up and perform a final gear check before you leave the house. Ask yourself:
Layering: Am I already overheating, or do I feel a chill?
Dryness: Is my outer shell holding up against the moisture?
Hydration: Did that effort make me realize I haven’t had enough water yet?
Well-being: Do I feel energized and ready for a longer trek?
It’s the best way to adapt to the day's conditions while ticking an annoying chore off your to-do list!
Share Your Wisdom!
Do you have a "trail hack" or a piece of hiking gear advice you swear by? We want to hear it! We’re looking for community-led tips to feature in future newsletters.
Send your insights by replying to this email! Contributed by Justin St. Maurice |
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Looking for More XC Skiing This Winter? |
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With this year’s excellent snow, many members are exploring beyond our local trails. Below is a curated list of 14 great cross‑country ski destinations across the northern part of Southwestern Ontario—some trackset, some rustic, some great for skate skiing. Each location includes a link to a trail map so you can plan your outing easily.
Enjoy the winter while it lasts!
XC Skiing “Further Afield” – With Trail Maps
Monora (north of Orangeville)
Trail map: https://mononordic.com/trail-maps/
Mansfield Outdoor Centre (Airport Rd.)
XC map: https://mansfieldoutdoorcentre.ca/trails-2/
Allan Park Conservation Area (near Hanover)
Trail map (PDF): https://www.saugeenconservation.ca/en/outdoors-and-recreation/resources/Allan-Park/Allan-Park-Trail-Map.pdf
Pinery Provincial Park
Winter trail map: https://pinerypark.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Pinery_Winter_Map.pdf
Hockleycrest (private land, Bruce Trail area east of Orangeville)
Ski trail map: https://hockleycrest.blogspot.com/p/trail-map.html
Kolapore Wilderness Trails (semi‑wilderness—prepare for backcountry conditions!)
Trail map: https://ontarioskitrails.com/item/kolapore-uplands/
Highlands Nordic (north of Singhampton)
Ski map: https://highlandsnordic.ca/about/trail-maps/
Scenic Caves Nordic Centre (Blue Mountains)
XC map: https://sceniccaves.com/pages/trail-maps
Wasaga Beach Provincial Park (Blueberry & High Dunes Trails)
Nordic map: https://ontarioskitrails.com/item/wasaga-beach/
Glenelg Nordic (southwest of Markdale – member favourite!)
Trail maps: https://glenelgnordicskiclub.org/trail-maps/
Beaver Valley Nordic (near Markdale)
Map/info: https://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trail/beaver-valley-nordic-ski-club-trails
Massie Hills (Owen Sound XC Club)
(Not all clubs publish maps publicly; general info): https://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trail/massie-hills-trail
Sauble Ski Trails (north of Sauble Falls)
Trail map: http://skisauble.freehostia.com/Map.html
Sawmill Nordic Centre (Hepworth)
Trail map/info: https://bruceskiclub.ca/sawmill-nordic-centre/
Whether you prefer groomed loops, quiet forests, big hills, or rolling dunes, each of these destinations brings its own character—and all of them are worth the trip. Enjoy the snow, stay safe, and have fun exploring! If you discover a new favourite spot, we'd love to hear about it.
Happy skiing! Contributed by Bill Mungall |
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Certified Hike Leader Training
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If you had seriously considered that you might like to lead hikes for GHTC, then this one day Hike Ontario course is the prerequisite.
Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026
Location: 10C Shared Space at 42 Carden Street, Guelph
Instructors: Bill Mungall and Wally Vandervaart
Fee: $50 (refundable on request after you have led 3 GHTC hikes)
There is a maximum of 12 participants. We will be accepting registrations from GHTC members only until March 8; if any vacancies remain after that, then we will open it up to Hike Ontario to publicize.
More details will follow for registrants closer to the day, but if there are any questions in the meantime, please email Bill Mungall.
Register here!
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Stay Connected with Our Mobile App!
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Our Android app is available free on Google Play, and the iOS app is available free on the Apple Store. Use it on your phone or tablet for quick access anytime.
With the app, members can:
✔ Update your profile – change your email, phone number, address, and volunteer interests
✔ Renew your membership in just a few taps
✔ View upcoming events and easily register, cancel, or join a waitlist
Want reminders? If your device supports push notifications, you can choose alerts for:
- Event reminders
- New events
- Membership renewal messages
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE! |
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During a recent group XC ski tour of Glenelg Nordic ski trails (most highly recommended skiing) on a sunny day with huge billows of snow hanging from the trees, this conversation was overheard:
Skier 1: These woods are so beautiful, so magical, I just have to let the rest of you know about the song that is playing around in my head. It's Do You Believe in Magic? by the Loving Spoonful.
Skier 2: (Two minutes later) Oh, thanks a lot (sarcasm), now I can't get it out of my head!
Further in that vein, here are six more for you to check out on Spotify or YouTube.
I Got a Name - Jim Croce
Black and White - Michael Jackson
My Tennessee Mountain Home - Dolly Parton
Dance the Night Away - Cream
The Wind Cries Mary - Jimi Hendrix
Daddy Frank - Merle Haggard
Caution: Earworm removals involve invasive surgery, not covered by OHIP. Contributed by Bill Mungall |
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Check out the GHTC calendar regularly for updates on all hikes!
Wednesdays - Arboretum afternoon hikes are offered every Wednesday afternoon. For more information contact Christa at arb.naturalist@uoguelph.ca or ext. 53615. Level: easy. Speed: slow.
Upcoming Hikes
Feb 17 - Arkell Springs Side Trail and Starkey Hill Feb 19 - Thursday Fitness Hike (Speed Rive & John Woods Trails) Feb 21 - Bruce Trail Iroquoia E2E, Day 2 Feb 21 - Snowshoeing at the 100K Ranch Feb 22 - Preservation Park - Part 3 Feb 23 - Happy Tails Hike Feb 25 - Wednesday Hike March 7 - Bruce Trail Iroquoia E2E, Day 3 March 14 - Bruce Trail - Short Hills to Louth
Thanks to our hike leaders for building these hikes.
We appreciate your time and efforts! |
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GHTC Trail Users' Code
As a member you agree to follow the GHTC Trail Users' Code when on the trails:
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February 17 - Trek & Tell
February 28 - GHTC at the Guelph Farmers' Market March 29 - Hike Leader Training
April 24-27 - Guelph City Nature Challenge July 19 - Blue Jays Hike |
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Other Hiking and Outdoor News
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PO Box 1, Guelph, ON, N1H 6J6
www.guelphhiking.com |
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