Car Hike: Walking the Bruce in search of Walking Fern

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Car Hike
Location (Google Maps): We will meet at the Silver Creek Outdoor Education parking lot - coordinates are 43.692615, -79.968433. (Map 13 of the Bruce Trail Reference Guide, Edition 31).

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

Pace: Leisurely (2-3 km/hr), Moderate (3-4 km/hr)
Terrain: Hilly, Level 2 (Intermediate - some hills and uneven surfaces, rocks and roots underfoot), Rocky
Distance (km): 8 km

Description

Join me for a family-friendly trek through Silver Creek Conservation Area before the Toronto Bruce Trail Club’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday, April 25, 2026.  We will hike up onto the escarpment via the Irwin Quarry Side Trail, taking in the views over Silver Creek Valley as we walk along the main trail.  We will then descend the escarpment in order to do an out-and-back hike of the Walking Fern Side Trail to look for the Toronto Bruce Trail Club’s emblem: the Walking Fern.  Next we will turn around and ascend the escarpment using the main trail before descending via the Roberts Side Trail where we will hopefully spot some interesting wetland wildlife as we walk along a beautiful boardwalk that borders a pretty pond.

We will be hiking at a leisurely-moderate pace (approximately 3 km/hr) over technical (i.e. rocky) terrain for much of the hike, and the route will see us hiking up and down the escarpment a few times.  We will take snack/hydration breaks as needed.

You should bring enough water and food for a 2-3 hour hike, comfortable footwear with good traction, and appropriate clothing for the weather.  Looking forward to finding the elusive Walking Fern with you on April 25th - see you then!

Please note: You must register for the TBTC AGM on April 25th by purchasing your ticket here: https://torontobrucetrailclub.org/shop/agm2026/ (Early Bird ticket pricing is $20+tax in February and the price goes up to $25+tax after March 1st.  Tickets always sell out so make sure you purchase yours asap!)

Our guest speaker will be Nicola Ross, author of the Loops and Lattes series of hiking guides, which often feature the Bruce Trail and Niagara Escarpment, and hundreds of magazine articles. Nicola has written on her multi-day adventures cycling, hiking, on horseback, and paddling.

The location of the AGM will be the Gellert Centre 10241 Eighth Line, Georgetown, ON L7G 4S5

This hike is a "Car Hike" meaning hikers are responsible for their own transportation to the trailhead and the AGM.