Urban Walk: Unionville – Markham, Rouge River Trail

Hosting Club: Toronto
Category: Urban Walk
Location (Google Maps): Markham Pan Am Centre, Kennedy Rd & YMCA Blvd. Meet inside main lobby by the coffee shop for 10:00 departure after those who travelled by GO Transit arrive.

Hike Leader(s): Tom Swales Click here to contact Hike Leader(s)

Pace: Moderate
Terrain: Flat
Distance: 13 km

Description

The villages of Unionville & Markham are connected by the Rouge Valley Trail System following the Rouge River and running behind the historic buildings on Main Street Unionville, by Walden Pond in Austin Drive Park, through Milne Dam Conservation Area, and ending with a 143 metre long suspension bridge over the dam. We will walk into the village of Markham and finish with a short boardwalk trail through Tannery Pond which is close to the Markham GO Station. We begin the hike at Unionville GO Station hiking north to the historic Main Street and picking up the Rouge Valley Trail at Carlton Road. Return to Toronto or the starting point by GO Bus or  York Region Transit bus. Optional stop at the Rouge River Brewery after the hike.

Terrain is easy, mostly paved path/boardwalk with some dirt trails.

On The Go Maps Link:

https://onthegomap.com/s/g5rhpj1s

Those wishing to arrive by GO Bus may take the 9:13 GO Bus from the Union Station Bus Terminal arriving at 9:43 $10 GO Transit Weekend Day Pass available on Smart Phones only (not available at the ticket counter)

The Stouffville Line trains are not operating on the weekends while the crews work on the line for future expansion so the option is to take the GO Bus.

Hikers may choose to meet us in the Great Hall of Union Station by the information desk (with the clock over it) to depart for the Union Station Bus Terminal at 8:45 AM.

If traveling from the north end of Toronto by public transit contact hike leader for directions from Finch Subway Station.

Bring lunch, water, snacks, hat.