Posted : July 14, 2016
Our blog is chock full of great ideas for fun things to see and do in York Durham and Headwaters. We are always adding new content and updating old posts, but sometimes you might stumble upon something from our vault. If this article has inspired you to hit the road, be sure to double-check that the featured stops in this post are still welcoming visitors.
Albion Hills Conservation Area
Located in the Caledon Hills on the Humber River this 446-hectare park offers 22 km of hiking trails. The hilly terrain creates an easy to moderate trail that winds through forest and follows Centreville Creek. The Park is Ontario’s first Conservation Area, and home to a variety of wildlife, including pheasants, chickadees, red-shouldered hawks, wild turkeys and whitetail deer.
Additional Outdoor Activities:
- Cycling – Off-Road
- Camping & Backpacking
- Geocaching
- Dog Walking
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Photography
- Fishing
- Birding
Trail Map/Guide: Summer Trail Map
Beaver River Wetland Trail
This 17 km flat, linear, rail trail runs between Blackwater and Cannington and is a birder and field naturalist’s paradise. Bring your binoculars to view great blue heron, red-winged blackbirds, muskrats and beavers in the ecologically diverse wetland. Wild Columbine, Red Dogwood, Violets, Marsh Marigold, and Water Lilies populate the trail side and marsh as well.
Parking is available roadside at intersections along the trail.
Additional Outdoor Activities:
- Birdwatching
- Cycling – Off-Road
- Equestrian
Trail Map/Guide: Map
The Caledon Trailway
A rolling 35 km trail that follows the path of an abandoned railway from Terra Cotta to Palgrave. It is home to the first Trans Canada Trail Pavilion. It travels through farm fields, forest and connects with the Credit and Humber rivers. It also connects to the Oak Ridges Moraine and Niagara Escarpment.
Parking is available roadside at intersections along the trail.
Additional Outdoor Activities:
- Dog Walking
- Running
- Cycling – Roads & Paths
- Cycling – Off-Road
- Equestrian
Trail Map/Guide: Explore Caledon
Lake Simcoe Trail
Curving along the Lake Drive next to the shores of Lake Simcoe the 50 km trail is a suburban/cottaging terrain. A section of the trail connects with a railway where you may encounter waterbirds, fox, deer, skunks, raccoons and weasels. Make time for stops at Sibbald Point Provincial Park, Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nations, Jackson’s Point Harbour or Georgina Pioneer Village & Archives.
Parking is available road side at intersections along the trail.
Additional Outdoor Activities:
- Cycling – Roads & Paths
- Partial Wheelchair Access
- Dog Walking
- In-line Skating
Trail Map/Guide: Brochure
Photo Credit: www.rgbell.blogspot.ca
McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve
Occupying over 41 hectares with 11 trails the reserve is home to almost 400 species of flora and fauna. Multiple viewing platforms offer birders and photographers a chance to scan the landscape for wildlife. Dogwood Trail, designed in conjunction with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, provides opportunities for partially-sighted or visually-impaired individuals to learn about the area through touching, smelling and hearing.
Parking adjacent to GM headquarters at 1908 Colonel Sam Drive in Oshawa.
Additional Outdoor Activities:
- Running
- Cycling – Off-Road
- Photography
- Birdwatching
- Wheelchair Accessible
Trail Map/Guide: McLaughlin Bay Trails
Photo Credit: www.ontarioconservationareas.ca
Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Located in the headwaters area of the Grand River watershed this 5,900-hectare park consists of fields, forests, wetlands and Luther Lake. Luther Marsh is a significant wetland in Southern Ontario and one of the provinces top bird-watching locations. With 4 km of trails, It is also home to a diverse population of wildlife, plants and trees.
Parking at side road 21-22 in Grand Valley.
Additional Outdoor Activities:
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Dog Walking
- Photography
Trail Map or Guide: Park Brochure
Photo credit: www.cycle905.blogspot.ca
Bartley Smith Greenway Trail
A 15 km natural valley corridor that follows along the West Don River in Vaughan. The valley is a work in progress with new marshland and swamp reconstruction resulting in an explosion of wildlife. From birds and beavers to coyotes and foxes there is a long list of wildlife living here. Consider stops at Keffer Marsh, Langstaff EcoPark and Rupert’s Pond.
Parking at Dufferin Clark Community Centre (Clark Avenue and Dufferin Street.) and Langstaff Road at Planchet Road in Vaughan.
Additional Outdoor Activities:
- Cycling – Roads & Paths
- Photography
- Birdwatching
Trail Map or Guide: Lower Bartley Smith Trail Guide
