RAINBOW HIKE: Downtown Dundas to Rock Chapel & Beyond

Hosting Club: Iroquoia
Category: Rainbow Hike
Location (Google Maps): Meet downtown Dundas, corner of Sydenham and King

Hike Leader(s): Doug O'Neill Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Medium - 3 to 4 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: Approx. 12 km

Description

We’re not saying this Rainbow winter hike ends at a pub featured in Episode 3 of the sensational Heated Rivalry gay-hockey TV series…but we are saying the post-hike warm-up will not—to quote Ilya—“be boring.” 🏒🌈 IYKYK

Layer up, lace up, and join your chosen hiking family for a Rainbow hike, followed by a well-earned stop at the Winchester Arms in downtown Dundas. (For a sneak peek, rewatch Episode 3 🙂🌈)

This queer-led, all-inclusive 2SLGBTQIA+ hike is designed to provide a safe, welcoming space for 2SGBTQIA+ hikers—including trans, gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, Two-Spirit, intersex, asexual, allies and friends. Show up, be your authentic self—and have fun in the snow.

This hike is accessible by Public Transit or car. No car shuttles are required. We'll begin hiking from our rendezvous spot in downtown Dundas, and follow the trail back to the starting point. (Everyone is invited to join us for a post-hike coffee/sugar hit in Dundas.)

Today's heart-healthy route: Get your blood pumping as we head up the main trail to Sydenham Lookout at the top of Dundas Peak. The first 45 minutes are the most challenging. The route includes Borer's Falls and Rock Chapel. We'll hike as far as the "no dogs allowed private property" stretch and retrace our route with optional detours to explore. Expect great views and relaxed camaraderie. SPECIAL TO THIS HIKE: Back in the summer, an unnamed hike leader failed to deliver on the promised visit to the fabled Skate Park (where you'd least expect it on Dundas Peak). It's on today's itinerary.

Icers are required for this hike. Please contact Hike Leader now (right after you register if you need to borrow a pair. Limited supply. Just click on the "contact hike leader" button above.

Meeting Place: We’ll rendezvous at 9:45 a.m. for a 10 a.m. departure beside Ed & Shawn’s Brewery parking lot (65 Hatt St., Dundas, off Sydenham), next to the TD Bank. Parking is free on Saturdays. The parking lot is accessible from Sydenham.

Getting to Dundas by Transit
Choice of two HSR bus routes: The 05–Head Street (via Downtown Dundas) will let you off at King & Sydenham (across the street from where we meet); the 5B–Pirie at Governors will drop you off at Governors Road and Ogilvie (then it's a 7-minute walk to King & Sydenham.

What to Bring:
• Water (It's very easy to get dehydrated in winter), snacks, and lunch, perhaps a hot beverage.
• Sunscreen (glare off snow will give you a winter tan), sunglasses, hiking boots, icers (a must) .
• Dress in layers.

Today's hike is dog-friendly. Note: dogs must be leashed the entire time, and owners must pack out their dog's waste. Visit "Dogs on the Bruce Trail" for further information. https://brucetrail.org/dogs-on-the-trail/

No washroom facilities on this route. Arrive early and use the loo at Starbucks, just a 2-minute walk down King Street from our meet-up spot at King & Sydenham.

Free Bruce Trail Rainbow badges for first-time Rainbow hikers!
Questions? Simply click "Contact Hike Leader" on the registration form.

PLEASE DON'T BE A NO-SHOW 🙂 Plans change. C'est la vie. But you don't want your hiking group waiting around for you if you're not coming. Very simple solution: Cancel your Bruce Trail hike registration by logging into the BTC website, go to your "My Hikes" section, find the hike, and click "cancel"; if it's last minute (under 24 hours), you can also email the Hike Leader directly as a courtesy to the volunteers.