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GHTA Hike Difficulty Rating Guide 

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Hike Schedule

Guidelines for Hikers

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  • Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
    Layers are the most practical. Raingear, sun and insect protection are also essential.

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  • Waterproof hiking shoes or boots are recommended.
     

  • You must be reasonably fit and able to keep a pace of about 4 km/hour
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  • Trekking poles can be helpful, particularly if you have any problems with your balance. They also take pressure off your knees and may spare them some wear and tear.

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  • Bring food and water. We recommend two litres of water for regular hikes and three litres for long, challenging hikes in the summer.

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The What3Words app makes it easy to find, share and save precise locations and can provide lifesaving assistance if you require it during a hike. Consider downloading it to any device that you take with you in unfamiliar territory.

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Also

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 1. “Bring a Snack”( generally on hikes under 9 km) indicates that there will be a break for a few minutes for refreshments. “Bring a lunch” ( hikes over 9 km) indicates a longer stop for refreshments (may be shorter in winter.

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2.  Anyone choosing to leave a hike before the end must be accompanied by another hiker.

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3.  No dogs are allowed on hikes. (Service dogs are permitted.)

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4.  Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the advertised hike departure time.

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NOT A MEMBER?  You are welcome to try out our club on any hike.  Be sure to contact the hike leader just in case there have been last minute changes.  We look forward to hiking with you!

PACE

  • Leisurely - 2-3 km/hr

  • Moderate - 3-4.5 km/hr

  • Fast - 4.5 km/hr and over

Not a Member?  You are welcome to try out our club on any hike.  Be sure to contact the hike leader just in case there have been last minute changes.  We look forward to hiking with you!

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EASY RATING

Well defined trails, gentle inclines. Hiking boots and poles optional. Suitable for beginners. 

Moderate Rating

MODERATE RATING

Generally on trail. May be hilly, some rough spots or obstacles. Boots and poles recommended. A good level of fitness is required.

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DIFFICULT RATING

Rough terrain. May include bushwhacking, steep sections, long climbs and descents, beaver dams or other obstacles, rock scrambling. Boots and poles essential, and a high level of fitness.  Long pants and sleeves recommended. 

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FALL/EARLY WINTER SCHEDULE – 2026 ​​

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Wednesday, October 28 <MODERATE PLUS> 10.3km 

Vernonville, Shelter Valley Rd. 

Elevation gain: 254 m 

Description: Paved roads and unmaintained roads. Poles recommended. Leaving 9:30 am from the Hwy 45/401 commuter parking lot (carpooling). OR Meet at the trailhead at the Vernonville Community Centre (corner of St. George Street and Victoria Street, just north off Shelter Valley road.), at 9:50 a.m. W3W address: upside.daredevil.eyeful. Bring a snack/lunch and a drink. Contact: Josée at wrightfroggy17@gmail.com or 905-626-4846 

 

 

Saturday, October 31 <EASY> 9.5km 

Morton Rd., Art Lang Rd. 

Elevation gain: 204 m 

Description: Rural roads, and forested road allowances. Leaving 9:30 am at the trailhead on Whitney Howard Rd (at the end of the asphalt, opposite Phantom Farm). W3W: biter.sportswear.provoking. Bring a snack and drink. Contact: Susan at susan3deane@gmail.com or 289-251-3125 

 

 

Sunday, November 1 <EASY> 7.6km 

Newtonville area, Gilmore Rd. 

Elevation gain: 204 m 

Description: Rural roads, and forested road allowances. Leaving 9:30 am from the Hwy 28/401 commuter parking lot, (entrance on Phillips Rd), Port Hope,OR meet and park at the trailhead on Whitney Howard Rd (at the end of the asphalt, opposite Phantom Farm). W3W: spared.blissfully.cookers. Bring a snack and drink. Contact: Melissa at me.holmes@hotmail.com or 905-242-6114 

 

Wednesday, November 4 <MODERATE> 12.0km

East of Baltimore

Description: Unmaintained road allowances, quiet township roads and private property trail. Several hills.  

Meet at the Trailhead at 3023 Meyers Road, Baltimore for a 9:30 a.m. start. W3W: finisher.artful.fumed.

Contact Jay at jayg_sherwin@yahoo.ca or 905-396-3895 

 

 

Saturday, November 7 <EASY> 8.2km 

Port Hope, Corbett’s Dam to Sylvan Glen 

Elevation gain: 102 m 

Description: Paved roads and road allowance. An “out-and-back” from the parking area at Corbett’s Dam to the Sylvan Glen Con. Area. Leaving 9:30 am from the Corbett’s Dam parking lot. W3W: sizing.toffee.toasted. Bring a snack and a drink. Contact: Shelley at shelley.irving@icloud.com or 705-313-6787.

 

 

Sunday, November 8 <EASY> 6.9km 

Castleton Loop 

Elevation gain: 152 m 

Description: Rural and unmaintained roads. Leaving 9:30 am from the Hwy 45/401 commuter parking lot for possible carpooling OR 9:55 am from the trailhead on Landon Road, just south of County Road 22. W3W: fame.imprinted.rarity. Bring a snack and a drink. Contact: Josée at wrightfroggy17@gmail.com or 905-626-4846 

 

Wednesday, November 11 <MODERATE> 9.3km 

Richardson’s Lookout, Oak Hill Rd. 

Elevation gain: 206 m 

Description: Rural roads, single-track trail, highway, steep hills. Beautiful view from platform. Trailhead is on Oak Hill Rd (dead end part, just east of Walker Rd). Leaving 9:30 am from the Toronto Rd/Hwy 401 commuter lot OR from the trailhead at 9:50 am. W3W address: patrols.grail.comebacks. Bring a snack/lunch and a drink. Contact: Laura at lauranderson55@yahoo.ca or 905-914-6259 

 

 

Saturday, November 14 <MODERATE> 11.7km 

Fenella area, Packer Rd. 

Elevation gain: 300 m 

Description: Rural paved roads and an unmaintained road. Leaving 9:30 am from the Hwy 45/401 commuter parking lot OR 9:50 am from the trailhead on Packer Rd near First Line (Alnwick-Haldimand twp). W3W address: rescue.owner.truths. Bring a lunch and a drink. Contact: Laura at lauranderson55@yahoo.ca or 905-914-6259 

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Saturday, November 14

THROUGH THE HIKER'S LENS PHOTO EXHIBIT OPENS

The exhibit runs through Dec. 8. More details to follow.

 

 

Sunday, November 15 <TBA> 

Contact: Connie at mccroryhomes@gmail.com or 905-373-6887 

 

 

Wednesday, November 18 <MODERATE> 11.5km 

Figure 8, North of Vernonville 

Elevation gain: 246 m 

Description: Forest trails and rural roads. Leaving 9:30 am from the Hwy 45/401 commuter parking lot for carpooling OR meet and park 9:50 am at the trailhead on Dixon Dr. (at the end of the paved section). W3W: demand.pulses.pretext. Bring a lunch and a drink. Contact: Anita at anitaglautenbach@gmail.com or 905-269-3724 

 

 

Saturday, November 21 <MODERATE> 8km or 15km 

Ganaraska Trail, Barrie Rd. 

Elevation gain: 309 m 

Description: Forest trail (from 4th Line to just beyond the 6th Line), rural roads, and unmaintained roads. Trailhead is on the 4th Line, about 1.3 km east of Knoxville Rd. Leaving 9:30 am from the Toronto Rd/401 commuter parking lot, Port Hope OR 9:40 am from the trailhead. W3W: replying.royals.dulled. Bring a lunch and a drink. Contact: John at johnambler2424@gmail.com or 705-931-4537 

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Sunday, November 22 <EASY PLUS> 5.7km 

Canton Area, Knoxville Rd/Jamison Rd. 

Elevation gain: 153 m 

Description: Paved roads, road allowance. Quite hilly. Trailhead is on the 6th Line, just west of Jamieson Rd. Leaving from the trailhead at 9:30 a.m. W3W: initiating.agency.rocky. Bring a snack and a drink. Contact: Shelley at shelley.irving@icloud.com or 705-313-6787 

 

 

Wednesday, November 25 <EASY PLUS> 8.9km

Wilhelmina Woods Nature Reserve

Elevation gain: 190 m

Description: Forest trails on a 330-acre tract of land donated to the Northumberland Land Trust. Leaving 9:30 a.m. from the Hwy 45/401 commuter lot for carpooling; or 9:55 a.m. from the trailhead located on Dixon Drive, approximately 500 metres east of Gleasons Corner Road South. W3W: mocking.shopkeeper.lounge. Bring a snack and a drink. Contact: Jason at jkay1966@gmail.com or 647-222-3992 

 

 

Saturday, November 28 <EASY> 5km 

Hazel Bird Nature Reserve 

Elevation gain: 82 m 

Description: Open field and forest trails. Leaving from the Hazel Bird parking lot at 9636 Beavermeadow Rd E (about 2 km east of Harwood Rd) at 9:30 a.m. W3W: interest.blankly.cynical. Bring a snack and a drink. Contact: John at johnpoyston@gmail.com or 416-998-1292 

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Sunday, November 29 <TBA> 

Contact: Lee at lwakelin@hotmail.com or 905-376-3468 

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Wednesday, December 2 <TBA> 
Contact:  Connie at mccroryhomes@gmail.com or 905-373-6887 

 

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Saturday, December 5 <EASY> 6km

Ganaraska River, Port Hope - ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND POT LUCK LUNCH

Elevation gain: 58m

Description:  City streets and Ganaraska Trail.  Leaving 9:30am from the Port Hope Royal Canadian Legion, walking to the PH Conservation area just off Choate Rd. W3W:  https://what3words.com/toenail.surges.inroad. Bring a snack and a drink. Contact: Shelley at shelley.irving@icloud.com or 705-313-6787 

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Sunday, December 6 <EASY> 5km 

Ball’s Mill, Lime Kiln Trail 

Elevation gain: 95 m 

Description: Mix of conservation area, trails and roads, including a short, busy section on County Road 45. The trailhead is at the Ball’s Mill Conservation Area parking lot. Leaving 9:30 from the trailhead. W3W: regards.feels.instance. Bring a drink. Contact: Melissa at me.holmes@hotmail.com or 905-242-6114 

 

 

Wednesday, December 9 <EASY> 6km 

Port Hope, Waterfront Trail 

Elevation gain: 33 m 

Description: Out-and-back on city streets, off-road path and lakeside trail. Leaving 9:30 a.m. from the trailhead at the Port Hope City Hall parking area. W3W address: bystanders.dashed.interview. Bring a snack and a drink. Contact: John at johnambler2424@gmail.com or 705-931-4537 

 

 

Saturday, December 12 <MODERATE> 9km 

Camborne area, Williamson Rd. 

Elevation gain: 230 m

Description: Paved roads. Leaving 9:30 am from the Hwy 18/401 commuter parking lot (Burnham St) for possible carpooling. The trailhead is on Williamson Rd just north of Bickle Hill Rd. W3W: sweetener.parrot.campaigner. Bring a lunch and a drink. Contact: Contact: Cynthia at planetwarn@gmail.com or 416-694-7901

 

 

Sunday, December 13 <MODERATE PLUS> 10km 

Campbellcroft, Stone House Rd. 

Elevation gain: 194 m 

Description: Rural roads, forest trails and hydro right-of-way. Trailhead is on Stone House Rd. near County Rd 9. Leaving 9:30 am from the Toronto Rd/401 commuter parking lot in Port Hope OR 9:50 am from the trailhead. W3W: leftovers.plastic.commented. Bring a lunch and a drink. Contact: Cynthia at planetwarn@gmail.com or 416-694-7901 

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Are you interested in leading hikes? Training is available. Please speak with the hike leader or send us a message under Contact Us

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