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Who doesn’t like a winter hike?
Well me, actually. I have a hard time trying to enjoy winter weather. When people ask if I like the snow my response is usually, “I’ll tolerate it only if I am up in the mountains.”
But I’m not always so dramatic, and having spent the entire winter in Toronto this year, I’ve forced myself to get outside and enjoy the weather a few times (read about another winter hike here).
Today I’m going to share some information about one great winter hike I went on this past season in the Orono Crown Lands. If you’re interested in seeing what the trails look like, check out my Youtube video.
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Why go for a winter hike here?
One of the things I don’t particularly love about most of the trails surrounding Toronto is that they are generally flat (I prefer to climb up to views). Though this area of land is also flat, it has several aspects which make it more interesting.
1. Winding paths with little bumps to climb.
We took the the orange and red loops from Ochonski road (screenshot from map below). There weren’t any breath taking hills, but winding uneven paths made the way more interesting which was nice.
2. Wooden bridges built by local students.
On the trails we took had many wooden bridges throughout which took the path above some extra bumpy parts. They were all made in wood shop classes by local high school students (each bridge is labelled with the year and class).
3. Creek side trails.
My favourite part about this winter hike was the fact that a lot of the loop went along the creeks (in the map above). Because the ice had froze over the creek, it formed secret little paths and holes to see into the water. There were also several interesting icicle formations along the creeks as well.
Apparently if you’re there the right time of year, you can also see salmon in the creek! They had several plaques along the trail with more information on this which was super interesting too.
How do I get there?
I live in the east end of Toronto, so this wasn’t so far for me. But from downtown Toronto the drive is roughly an hour.
If you take public transit, I know there is a GO bus available which should take you to Newcastle, but I’m not sure if there is a stop close enough to the entrance. Public transit outside the city is of course harder to navigate.
A Bit of History
To be honest, the hike wasn’t specifically planned, so I only found out more about the place afterwards. To learn more about the trails (and download a free map), go to this website.
The trails and land today has been maintained by a committee of volunteers (Orono Crown Lands Trust) since 1996. Earlier in the 1900’s the land was used for tree nurseries, and they distributed seedlings throughout Ontario for reforestation projects.
Another interesting thing to see is the old Canadian Northern Railway tracks. You can access this via the trails, and read more about the old railway on plaques posted along the trail.
An hour drive is a bit of a commute, but if you are already headed in that direction this park is a great place to stop. The trails are super well marked and maintained, and provide a great escape from the city.
I also suggest you make a donation when you visit if you are able to (since the place is run by volunteers). There was a donation box at the entrance by the parking lot, where you can leave some cash.
Looking for more winter hike inspiration?
That’s all I’ll share about my winter hike in Orono. If you’d like to see more of what the trails look like in the winter, check out my Youtube video.
If you have any questions about these trails, leave me a comment.
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Next week I’ll be sharing some information about another winter adventure I did in late March, so stay tuned for some more Ontario destination tips in the Bruce Peninsula!
Thanks so much for reading, I wish you all the best on your next adventure.
Much love,
Danika
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