Iroquoia

Iroquoia BTC Naturalist Hike Series- Discovering Nature One Hike at a Time – Forest Bathing – Meet in the parking lot at 7:45am

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Iroquoia BTC Naturalist Hike Series : Discovering Nature, One Hike at a Time.
Location (Google Maps): Ancaster Little League parking area at 286 Jerseyville Rd East, Ancaster.

Hike Leader(s): Ruth Moffatt Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely – 3km/hr or less, Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Easy – Mostly flat and usually good footing, Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing, Dependent on Conditions
Distance: 8-10km

Description

Please join us for an introduction to Forest Bathing as part of our Naturalist Hike Series.

Forest bathing shinrinyoku, is a Japanese practise of spending calm intentional time in nature to improve health, well-being and relaxation. We will use all 5 senses to engage with our surroundings at the Dundas Valley Conservation area. Our movement will be leisurely and slow paced and in peace. We may sit down, we may close our eyes and we will listen without speaking. The benefits of Forest Bathing have been found to reduce blood pressure and boost immune function. Recommended reading is Forest Bathing by Dr. Qing Li.

Please bring snacks and water and mute your phones.

If your plans change, please cancel your registration so that someone from the waitlist can potentially join the hike.

To cancel your registration, here  is a step by step:
– Sign into your account on the BTC website
– Click on My Hikes under your account
– This will take you to a list of hikes you have registered for
– Scroll down to the appropriate hike and cursor over to the far right hand column under the Action column.
– Click Cancel under the hike you wish to cancel

Any questions may be directed through the link on this form.

St Helena Rd to Hilton Falls (E2E)

Hosting Club: Iroquoia

Location (Google Maps): Meet at 9:15 am in the Hilton Falls parking lot

Hike Leader(s): Karen Bergmann Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: 8.5 kms

Description

We will meet at Hilton Falls and carpool to St Helena Rd.  For those leaving their car at Hilton Falls, you will need to reserve your time at conservationhalton.ca

Always a popular hike, this is a challenging hike because there are several technical (rocky) spots. We hike on the main trail along the edge of the Escarpment and will stop for a break by the Quarry, finishing along the Philip Gosling Side Trail.

Bring a snack/lunch and plenty of water.

Full Moon Hike - Hendrie After Dark

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Moonlight Hikes
Location (Google Maps): RBG Centre Parking – across from Easterbrook’s 694 Spring Garden Road

Hike Leader(s): Kathrin Koenig Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: Approx 6 km

Description

Please be at parking by 8:00 pm as the hike will leave promptly at 8:15 pm.

The Full Blue Moon is the sixth full moon of 2026. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Bring enough water and snacks to suit your needs, and a headlamp or flashlight. Headlamps with a red or green light setting are the most wildlife friendly, and best for preserving your night vision. Please ensure your device is fully charged/fresh batteries to last the duration of the hike.

We will start by following the outer road at Woodland Cemetery and pick up Grindstone Marsh Trail at Sunfish Pond. Following Grindstone Marsh Trail into Hendrie Valley, we will loop our way along the North and South Bridle Trail to Cherry Hill Gate and back to the cars. There is a set of stairs, one steep-ish downhill section, and a couple of smaller hills.

Please leave dogs at home.

This hike will qualify you for the new Iroquoia Full Moon badge! Complete three leader led-hikes in 2026, and you will qualify. Badges are $10 for BTC members/ $15 for non-members.

Any questions may be directed through “Click here to contact Hike Leader” on this form.

In the event you are no longer able to attend, please remove yourself from registration by following these steps:

– Sign into your account on the BTC website
– Click on My Hikes under your account
– This will take you to a list of hikes you have registered for
– Scroll down to the appropriate hike and cursor over to the far right hand column under the Action column.
– Click Cancel under the hike you wish to cancel

Moonlight Hike - Meet time is 8:15pm

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Moonlight Hikes
Location (Google Maps): Parking lot off of Ridge Rd located east of the southernmost portion of Beamer’s Side Trail which is now main trail.
Please park close together. If this lot is full, there are a few more spots a little further west on Ridge Rd. Roadside parking may also be possible.

Hike Leader(s): Ruth Moffatt Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Dependent on Conditions, Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing, Strenuous – Hilly with steep climbs and some poor footing
Distance: 4km

Description

Earn your Iroquoia Moonlight badge by hiking 3 Moonlight Hikes with a leader.
Tonight’s sunset is at 8:50pm. We will follow the main trail past Beamer’s Falls around to  the Hawkwatch area then the Grimsby Point Side Trail to form a loop back to the parking area onRidge Rd
If you’ve never hiked at night we are sure you will love the way it heightens all of your senses promising a great sleep afterwards.
Everyone must have a headlamp or a flashlight 🔦. Most phones have torches which could also be used as supplemental light. Please ensure your light device is fully charged/batteries to last about 1.5hours. Dress for the weather and bring enough water to suit your needs as well as all the other things you need for a hike – first aid kit, snack, poles (recommended).
This is the third of 3 full moon hikes to be held in Grimsby. After you complete three leader-led hikes, you will qualify for a badge. $10members/$15nin-members. Badges will be on hand – please bring cash.

Any questions may be directed through contact on this form.
If you cannot make it, please remove yourself from registration by following these steps:

To cancel your registration, here  is a step by step:
– Sign into your account on the BTC website
– Click on My Hikes under your account
– This will take you to a list of hikes you have registered for
– Scroll down to the appropriate hike and cursor over to the far right hand column under the Action column.
– Click Cancel under the hike you wish to cancel

NEW Black Bear Badge Peninsula End2End - Hikes 1-5 of 8 hikes, June 1-5 (Hikes 6-8 of 8 July 27-29)

Hosting Club: Iroquoia, Peninsula
Category: General Hike
Location (Google Maps): Bluewater Park, Wiarton

Hike Leader(s): Steven White Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Brisk – 4 to 5 km/hr
Terrain: Dependent on Conditions, Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing, Strenuous – Hilly with steep climbs and some poor footing
Distance: 13.3kms

Description

Hike Peninsula in 8 hikes this summer and earn the New Black Bear Fundraising Badge!! June 1-5 and July 27-29, 2026. Separate registrations of June 1-5 and July 27-29. We will meet at 12 noon at Bluewater Park in Wiarton and shuttle to Crawford Drive Side Trail and hike back to Bluewater Park. June 2-5, we will be hiking the top part of the Peninsula. We will meet each morning at 7:30am and shuttle to the trail head. Shuttling at the beginning of the day and one shuttle at end of each day to take morning drivers back to their cars, will be shared among all hikers. These start times allow hikers to travel the morning of the hike and finish mid-afternoon. Any parking fees will be shared equally by all hikers. A full itinerary will be shared with hikers the week before our hikes begin.  For those booking accommodation, recommend staying near the top part of the peninsula for June 1-5 and near Wiarton for the July dates.

I expect to have the new Black Bear End to End Fundraising badges for our last hike July 29, to be distributed to those who completed all 8 hikes.

Hikers should bring layered clothing in case of cool, breezy or rainy days. Hikers should have hiking shoes/boots, poles, hat, raingear, sunblock, bug repellant, 2-3 litres of water and snacks/lunch. We will have 2 scheduled breaks each day, except for June1 (1 break) as it is a shorter hike. Anticipate 4 km/hr average pace including breaks, so please be honest with respect to your capability.

Boots and Books - The Iroquoia Bruce Trail Book Club Meet time is 10:30am

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Boots and Books – The Iroquoia Bruce Trail Book Club
Location (Google Maps): Kilbride Park Parking Lot behind the Kilbride School

Hike Leader(s): Ruth Moffatt Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing, Strenuous – Hilly with steep climbs and some poor footing
Distance: Approx 7km

Description

Welcome to the 3rd Iroquoia Bruce Trail Book Club – “Boots and Books”

Our book is “Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi. Please check your local library for available copies of this book.

We will hike from the parking lot north bound to Calcium Pits/Twiss Rd and return – about 7km which will take about 2 hours approximately. Please wear suitable foot wear, dress for the weather and bring poles if you use them and gaiters as the trail may be muddy. Please bring enough snacks and water suitable for the length/duration of the hike. It is not necessary to bring the book.

The June book will be “A History of Canada in 10 Maps” by Adam Shoalts and the July book will be “Woman, Watching” by Merilyn Simonds It may be a good idea to reserve these books now from your local library.

The hike is open to everyone whether you have read the book or not but there may he spoilers, if you haven’t read it. It will be open to 10 people to keep it more intimate for discussing the book.

If your plans change, please cancel your registration so that people who are waitlisted may join.

To cancel your registration, here  is a step by step:
– Sign into your account on the Bruce Trail website.
– Go to the Hike Schedule
– Click on My Hikes tab which you should find at the top of the schedule
– Scroll to the appropriate hike you wish to cancel
– Cursor to the far right of the hike to the Action column
– Click cancel under the hike you wish to cancel.

Halton Forest to Speyside (E2E)

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: General Hike
Location (Google Maps): Meet at the Pear Tree parking lot at Speyside on 15 Side Road at 9:15 am.

Hike Leader(s): Karen Bergmann Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hr
Terrain: Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: 8 kms

Description

We will meet at 9:15 in the Pear Tree parking lot on 15 Side Road and carpool to 6th Line at the Halton Agreement Forest and hike back along the Hilton Falls Side Trail, Al Shaw Side Trail and the main trail. This trail has some serious rocks and we cross a couple of creeks.  Bring sufficient water and bug spray/bug net.

Blue Mountains End to End Fundraiser for the Stained Glass Badge June 6,7,8, 2026

Hosting Club: Iroquoia, Blue Mountains
Category: Stained Glass Badge End to End Fundraiser Hike
Location (Google Maps): Registered participants will receive a WhatsApp invitation (optional)which can be used for photo share and other pertinent information.

This is a three day fundraiser ETE for the stained glass badge. You must be able to hike at least 4km an hour with hills and rough terrain.

June 6 – Day 1 – Meet in the parking lot parking lot area located 380 m north of the main trail crossing Pretty River Road (40 car capacity) 44.430927, -80.275390 Shuttle to Maple Lane in Ravenna. Park only on the north side 44.504973, -80.331780 (4 car capacity) 20km
June 7 – Day 2 – Meet in the parking lot parking lot area located 380 m north of the main trail crossing Pretty River Road (40 car capacity) 44.430927, -80.275390 Shuttle to $paid parking lot off of 15/16 Sideroad – accessible only from Concession 10 South. 44.342784, -80.210628 (car capacity 7) 24km
June 8 Day 3 – Meet in front of the Lavender Cemetery on Mulmar Nottawasaga Townline 550 meters east of Lavender Hill Road – do not block cemetery gate. 44.268777, -80.156810 (Car capacity 10) and shuttle to $paid parking lot on 15/16 Sideroad 44.342784, -80.210628 (Car capacity 7) 22.50km.

Parking fees are shared by everyone except the drivers.

Hike Leader(s): Ruth Moffatt Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Brisk – 4 to 5 km/hr
Terrain: Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing, Slippery and Steep Sections, Strenuous – Hilly with steep climbs and some poor footing
Distance: 67.50km spread over three days

Description

Everyone who is registered for this hike series will be invited to join an optional WhatsApp which can be used to share photos and other information.  

Distances will be spread over 3 days as equally as possible depending on the parking. Please bring enough food and snacks for a 20km + day of hiking and 2l of water minimum.
Everyone must have a first aid kit in their backpack as well as all the other items you require for a long day hike (poles, rain gear etc)
The registration fee includes the badge, guidance and organization. The fee supports the club’s infrastructure and the mission of “Preserving a ribbon of wilderness for everyone, forever.” There are no refunds.

This series of hikes is intended for hikers who are used to a multi-day distance of 20+km at a steady pace. We will have a short break around 10am and a lunch break. Afternoon break is dependent on expected finishing time. Please do not over estimate your hiking ability.
Participants can make up one of the three days on their own if you have a scheduling conflict. Please try to do this before we get started.
You must be willing to share in the car shuttle to the start of the hike or driving the drivers back at the end of the day. Please have a minimum 4 useable seats including driver’s.  This is a group hike and it is intended that everyone be present on each day.
Please cancel your registration if your plans change so that someone else who may be on the waitlist can take your place. Paid parking on two days to be shared by non-drivers.

All registered hikers will be invited to join a WhatsApp group. This can be used for sharing photos and other items of interest.

Refunds: https://brucetrail.org/paid-hike-refund-policy/

RAINBOW HIKE: Birding with Pride

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Rainbow Hike
Location (Google Maps): Royal Botanical Gardens – Hendrie Valley Sanctuary, Cherry Hill Gate

Hike Leader(s): Shayne Ward Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Leisurely – 3km/hr or less
Terrain: Easy – Mostly flat and usually good footing, Moderate – Some hills and/or some poor footing
Distance: 5KM

Description

Join us as we kick off Pride Month with a colourful morning of birding! 🦅🦉🦆🌈

For this edition, it’s encouraged to come dressed in the colours of your favourite bird! 🌈

This gentle early-morning outing will explore the trails around Royal Botanical Gardens, one of our region’s important migration areas.  We will start at the trailhead parking lot of the Cherry Hill Gate.

Plan to arrive for 745AM and we’ll have a small crash course on downloading and using two popular birding apps, Merlin Bird ID and eBird recording our sightings!  We’ll depart by 8-810AM.  Hoping to catch some Blue Herons, Swans, Wood Ducks, and if we’re lucky, a sighting of the RBG resident Screech Owl!

🌈 This is a queer-led, 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive Rainbow Hike, welcoming LGBTQ+ hikers, allies, birders, photographers, and anyone interested in connecting with nature and community.  This is a short, relaxed hike (approx. 5 km) designed to get us moving and birding!

What to Bring
• Water and light snacks
• Weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear
• Binoculars or camera if you have them (optional but fun! And a cell phone counts!)

Not a Bruce Trail member yet?!  Sign up here!
https://brucetrail.org/become-a-member/

Come enjoy a spring morning on the trail, celebrate migratory birds, and connect with your Bruce Trail community!

🐾 Please leave pets at home for this hike! It’s migration season and we’ll be passing through an important bird migration and nesting area, so we want to keep disturbance to our feathered friends to a minimum! 🐦

🚗 🚌 This outing is accessible by car or public transit.

Planning to drive? 
Parking is 3$/hour to a maximum of 15$ if you park at Cherry Hill Gate, or free if you park across the street at RBG Centre.

Taking the Bus?
HSR #9 or BT1 stops near the trailhead entrance!  Map of the bus and it’s schedule can be found here.
https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/2026-04/hsr-9-ROCK%20GARDENS-may10.pdf

Free Bruce Trail Rainbow badges and stickers for all participants!
Questions? Simply click “Contact Hike Leader” on the registration form.