RAINBOW 🌈 HIKE: Silver Creek to Walking Fern. BONUS: earn a Passport to Nature Sticker !!!

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Car Hike
Location (Google Maps): Silver Creek Trailhead - Fallbrook Trail just south of 27 Sideroad. 13479 Fallbrook Trail, Ballinafad, ON, L7G 4S8.

Hike Leader(s): Mais Lee, Monica Pasquali Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely (2-3 km/hr)
Terrain: Level 2 (Intermediate - some hills and uneven surfaces, rocks and roots underfoot), Rocky
Distance (km): 7.5

Description

This hike is part of our 🌈 Rainbow Hike program , which aims to foster connection, visibility, and community among 2SLGBTQIA+ hikers and allies.
This is also the final Graduation Hike for Mais to become a hike leader for the Toronto Bruce Trail Club.

Come for a leisurely 7.5 km out-and-back hike in the Silver Creek Conservation area, with an optional post-hike social and celebration after.
Meet at the trail head 9:30am for a 9:45am start.  Park roadside or in the Silver Creek Education Center parking lot just a bit further north across the street.
We will hike north on the scenic Robert Side Trail, which joins the main trail, then follow it to Line 10, before dipping south and onto the Walking Fern Side Trail.
Walking Fern is a 0.7km out and back side trail that is serene, beautiful, but technical.  Expect rocks - large and small - underfoot.  We will be taking it nice and slow.
We will head back along the main trail afterward, and do a small detour onto Irwin Quarry Side Trail for some more fun on the rocks before heading back to the cars.

All participants will receive a free Bruce Trail Conservancy Rainbow Pride Badge.

BONUS: earn a sticker toward your Passport to Nature badge.
Monica will be pointing out interesting plants and fungi along the way.  We will also be keeping an eye out for the walking fern - a rare sighting in Southern Ontario.  The walking fern is the official emblem of the Toronto Bruce Trail Club.  We will take a group photo with it when we find it!

Please bring sufficient water for a 3 hour hike.  We will not have an official snack break - but please feel free to bring something small to snack on along the way.
Sturdy hiking shoes and poles are essential for this hike due to rocky and potentially slippery terrain, especially on the Walking Fern and Irwin Quarry side trails.
Dress in layers for the fall weather.  Long pants and rain gear are always recommended, as well as extra pair of socks and dry comfortable footwear to change into after the hike.

Post-hike social and celebration at the Appalachian Pub & Eatery - 68 Main St N, Georgetown, ON L7G 3H3
Any questions please use the "contact hike leader" link.

Please share this hike with your 2SLGBTQIA+ hiker family and friends.
For more information on Bruce Trail's Rainbow Program and Hikes, please visit https://brucetrail.org/pride-2026/