Car Hike: Ambling along and Apple-picking

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Car Hike
Location (Google Maps): We will meet at roadside parking southeast of km 44.5 on Heritage Road - coordinates are 43.734086, -79.944062. (Map 14 of the Bruce Trail Reference Guide, Edition 30)

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

Pace: Leisurely
Terrain: Variable
Distance: 4.7 km

Description

Enjoy two awesome activities in one day: ambling along the Bruce Trail in Terra Cotta followed by a visit to Downey’s Farm to go apple picking!  First we’ll do a loop hike of the main Bruce trail and Rockside Side Trail, enjoying the varied scenery of forest and country road as we hike the area (while keeping an eye out for the pink bench!).  After returning to our cars, those who would like to join me in extending their day of fun will make the 15-minute drive to reach Downey’s Farm where we will pick apples and enjoy a sandwich or meat pie from the bakery lunch counter.  Afterwards, any children in our group can play in the “Downey’s Farmyard Play Area” if they wish to do so.

Children under 13 years of age are encouraged to join their parents/guardians on this hike so they can fulfill the requirements for the Toronto Bruce Trail Club's Youth Badge (https://torontobrucetrailclub.org/the-trail/badges) - all family members who are planning on joining us should register for the hike, including children.  You should bring enough water and food for a 2-hour hike, comfortable hiking shoes, sun and bug protection, appropriate clothing for the weather, and money if you intend to join us at Downey’s Farm after the hike.

There is no admission charge to enter Downey’s Farm to pick apples, but they do require a minimum pick of $8.50 a person which applies to all individuals who enter the farm.  Bags are purchased at the farm entrance as follows: a 10 lb bag of apples costs $26 (max 3 people per bag) and a 20 lb bag of apples costs $42 (max 5 people per bag).  More information about apple picking at Downey’s Farm can be found here: https://downeysupickfarm.ca/apples/ 

Similarly, there is no admission charge to enter Downey’s Farm store, but if you decide to enjoy lunch from the bakery lunch counter then that will incur an additional fee, too.  No outside food is permitted on farm grounds.

Please note that there is an admission fee to visit “Downey’s Farmyard Play Area”: $16 + HST for people aged 2 years and older, and free for children aged 23 months and younger.  Tickets for “Downey’s Farmyard Play Area” must be purchased online here: https://downeysfarm.com/downeys-farm-market-activities.htm#openModal.