If you’re a bird and waterfowl fan, you’ll love exploring and hiking at Cootes Paradise in Hamilton, Ontario. It’s one of our local hiking destinations, just at about the border of Hamilton and Burlington. You can see Cootes Paradise – a wide expanse of water surrounded by wooded shorelines – as you drive into Hamilton from Burlington on the Thomas B. McQuesten High Level Bridge…
We’re blessed to live so close to Bronte Creek Provincial Park. This urban provincial park is a haven for nature lovers, seeking a break from concrete and asphalt. Bronte Creek Provincial Park can only be described as an island in the sea of suburbia. Situated in the Golden Horseshoe, the 1690 acres park was designated a provincial park in 1972 by the Ontario Ministry of Natural…
You may think that a quick walk in the woods for a couple of hours means you don’t need to be prepared. But this is farther from the truth. Even if you’re taking a short walk on a trail, there are things you need to pack for day hikes. We like to keep it light. Nobody wants to be lugging around a heavy backpack on a…
Since I was the age of 13, I’ve hiked and enjoyed Conservation Halton Parks. They offer many outdoor activities such as, boating, cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking and so much more. The best part is they are located just a short distance from major population centers. Conservation Halton owns and operates six main conservation areas. Crawford Lake Conservation Area Crawford Lake Conservation Area has a special…
Whenever I visit Inglis Falls near Owen Sound, I appreciate the beauty of the cedars and limestone. It is one of the most beautiful and interesting waterfalls in Ontario. Visiting Inglis Falls at any time of the year is always an awesome experience. The waterfall is located south-west of the City of Owen Sound, where the Sydenham River meets the edge of the Niagara Escarpment.…
I had driven by an area east of Highway 10 many times on my travels around Ontario, but never really stopped to check it out. Heading out on a day trip we went exploring Mono Ontario. Located just north of Caledon and northeast of Orangeville, Ontario it is nestled in mostly rolling and tree-covered hills. It’s a part of the Hills and Headwaters area of…
One of the most beautiful places just north of Mississauga is the Hills and Headwaters area, which includes Belfountain Conservation Area and the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park. We’ve gone hiking at Belfountain Conservation Area several times, and I have blogged about our drive through the town of Belfountain that inspired a summer visit. Our first visit was on a wintery day, with frozen…
Spring is finally here in Southern Ontario after what was a brutal winter. So I’m sharing a hike that Margaret and I took last year in May on the Starkey Hill Trail near Guelph Ontario. This trail at Starkey Hill is about 4 kilometers and has so many different types of terrain. From pine forest to swampy low areas, this trail delivers. A video from…
Father’s Day is fast approaching and the nice weather has finally arrived. I have many great memories of getting outdoors with my Dad for a hike. I have compiled several locations and outdoor activities on Father’s day weekend that are close to Toronto. This would be a great opportunity to get the family out for a few hours or for the day. Bronte Creek Provincial…
The Belwood Lake Conservation Area is a reservoir in Dufferin County located northeast of Guelph, Ontario. In 1942 the Grand River waters were slowed by the erection of the Shand Dam for flood control and the generation of hydroelectricity. Belwood Lake Conservation Area, operated by the Grand River Conservation Authority offers a fantastic number of recreation opportunities. Hiking, biking, boating or just getting away to…