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Hikes and other outdoor activities listed below represent some of the activities published in our newsletter, Trail Markings. If you are interested in hiking, and/or other volunteer opportunities, you are encouraged to join GVTA. If you join, you receive the complete listing of hikes and other outdoor activities and more. A membership application form is available for download via the Membership web page. We welcome new members so please join us and help to maintain the Grand Valley Trail, a community resource. NOTE: 
This maple leaf symbol beside a person's name denotes a certified hike leader - see "Working Toward Hike Leader Certification". Any event listed below without the maple leaf symbol is considered an Independent Outing and
The Grand Valley Trails Association accepts no responsibility. Such notices appear for the convenience of the members.
Levels 1 to 3 and Speed (e.g. moderate) - explanation
Thursday, April 26, 2012 – Avon Trail's Stratford Side Trail. Level 1: Moderate ~ 10 km
Leader: Jamie . Departing 10:00 a.m. from behind the Scotiabank on the northeast corner near the intersection of Hwy 7/8 and C.H. Meier Blvd, Stratford. Today's walk will be along a portion of the side trail. We will walk about 5.5 km westward through the city and along the Avon River and then return on the same path. This walk is easy, urban and scenic. Sturdy walking shoes/boots required. No dogs & no smoking. Bring lunch & if the weather cooperates we will eat beside the Avon River. Directions: From Kitchener enter Stratford on Hwy 7/8 (Ontario St.) keeping in the right lane. After Kings Buffet/Crabby Joe's (on right), and before the traffic light at C. H. Meier Blvd, turn right into the Scotiabank parking lot (approx. 43.370886,-80.947744).
Saturday, April 21, 2012 – Bruce Trail, Beaver Valley/Blue Mt. Level 2/3: Moderate ~ 16.6 km
Leaders: Jamie Greg & Jeanette . Depart 9:00 a.m. from km 69.4, Map 24 on Scenic Caves Rd (approx. lat/long = 44.492585,-80.318839). [Note that km 69.4 is incorrect in this edition and should be km 63.9.] Starting east of Ravenna we walk northward to and around the Len Gertler Memorial Loree Forest then southward along the Blue Mountains escarpment edge with great views of Nattawasaga Bay. Hiking boots are a must and trekking poles are recommended. No dogs and no dropouts. Directions from Ravenna on Grey Rd 2: Coming from the south on Grey Rd 2 into Ravenna turn right (east) on Sideroad 15 & follow it about 7.8 km, turn left (north) on Scenic Caves Rd for about 1 km where the main BT enters a Blue Mountain Resort parking lot. View these directions in Google Maps. How to enter the latitude/longitude (coordinates) in a Garmin Nüvi 
Sunday, April 22, 2012 – Bruce Trail, Big River, Sydenham. Level 2/3: Moderate ~ 15.2 km
Leaders: Jamie Greg & Jeanette . Depart 9:00 a.m. from km 14.5, Map 29 (approx. lat/long = 44.498212,-80.738693). This relatively new main trail involves some road and facilitates the on-going attempt to move the trail to its optimum route. Today we experience a portion of the Spey River Forest East, pass through some BTC Managed Land and a high point with views before descending to road. Then we finish at the highest point in the area that offers good views out over the Bighead River Valley. Hiking boots are a must and trekking poles are recommended. No dogs and no dropouts. Directions from Markdale: Head northwest on Hwy 10, right onto Artemesia Holland Townline for about 300 m & veer left on Euphrasia Holland Townline for about 15 km, left onto County Road 40, right onto Concession Road 10 to & across Holland Sydenham Townline onto Concession Road 2 South for about 600 m. View these directions in Google Maps. How to enter the latitude/longitude (coordinates) in a Garmin Nüvi
Thursday, April 26, 2012 – Rideau Trail E2E Hike 11 of 15 Level 3: Strenuous ~ 25 km
Leaders: Jim & Charles (
) & Gusti.
We will be hiking from Rosedale Road South to Burritts Rapids (Rideau Trail Guide Maps 10, 11, 12). Meet at 9:00 a.m at the parking areas at the Burritts Rapids Swing Bridge on the River Road on the south side of the Rideau River in the hamlet of Burritts Rapids. There is ample parking on the main street north of the Burritts Rapids Swing Bridge as well as a gravel lot south of the bridge on the east side of the road with space for three (3) or four (4) vehicles. Description of Hike: We will car shuttle back to where we completed hike # 10 in the Spring of 2011 at the community centre parking area on the west side of Rosedale Road South immediately south of the intersection of Rosedale Road South & Guthrie Road. We will hike through an area known as the “Long Bush” since settlers’ times (a mix of swamps and lowland mixed woods) and then along roads and road allowances to the historic community of Merrickville. We will hike along the Rideau River through Nicholson’s Locks to Burritts Rapids.
Friday, April 27, 2012 – Rideau Trail E2E Hike 12 of 15 Level 3: Strenuous ~ 23 km
Leaders: Jim & Charles
(
) & Gusti.
We will hike from Burritts Rapids to Kettles Road (Rideau Trail Guide Maps 12, 13).
Meet at 9:00 a.m at km 244.3 where the hiking trail enters onto Kettles Road east of the intersection of Munster Road with Kettles Road. There is road side parking on Kettles Road in the vicinity of the Canadian National Railway crossing. Description of Hike: From Burritts Rapids we follow Dwyer Hill Road until we enter and pass through the Marlborough Forest. This area is managed by the City of Ottawa and consists of wooded and wetland habitats (including alvars). This forested area was once cleared for agriculture in the 19th century but was abandoned due to its infertility and isolation.
Saturday, April 28, 2012 – Rideau Trail E2E Hike 13 of 15 Level 3: Strenuous ~ 20 km
Leaders: Jim & Charles
(
) & Gusti.
We will hike from Kettles Road to Richmond (Rideau Trail Guide Maps 13, 14).
Meet at 9:00 a.m at km 263.1 where there is parking near the intersection of Eagleson Road & Barnsdale Road to the east of the hamlet of Richmond. Description of Hike: We are now entering the flatter and much gentler farmland of the Ottawa River Valley. We will cross farm fields and follow a re-route around much of the built up area of the community of Richmond.
Sunday, April 29, 2012 – Rideau Trail E2E Hike 14 of 15 Level 3: Strenuous ~ 23 km
Leaders: Jim & Charles (
) & Gusti.
We will hike from Richmond to the Corkstown Road (Rideau Trail Guide Maps 14, 15).
Meet at 9:00 a.m at the Corkstown Road west of Moodie Drive (Regional Road # 59) north of Highway # 417 in the former municipality of Nepean. There is a parking lot at the Conservation Area on the north side of Corkstown Road just west of where the trail exits from the subway under the 417. This point can be accessed from exit # 134 from the Queensway. Description of Hike: We will continue our gentle descent through the fields, forests and swamps into the increasingly urbanized areas alongside the Ottawa River before our final advance into the old City of Ottawa and the end of the trail.
Monday, April 30, 2112 – Rideau Trail E2E Hike 15 of 15 Level 3: Strenuous ~ 22 km
Leaders: Jim & Charles (
) & Gusti.
We will hike from the Corkstown Road to the Parliament Buildings (Rideau Trail Guide Maps 15, 16)
Meet at 9:00 a.m in front of The Keg Restaurant at 75 York Street in the Byward Market area of the City of Ottawa. Description of Hike: Today we complete the odyssey which we began three years ago in Kingston. We will hike along the Ottawa River through city parks until we arrive at the new terminus of the Rideau Trail at the Federal Parliament Buildings. There will certainly be cause for celebration when we reach this point. Let joy and celebration be unconfined. Hoist a pint (or two) with Charles and Gusti and a diet coke with Jim.
Go to May Hikes
Updated 2011 DECEMBER 24 SATURDAY
