About the historic hike: The rail trail in Carolinian Canada is one of Canada's best, following the Lynn River to Lake Erie, We will hike the trail to Dover approximately 3 1/2 - 4 km per hour, flat easy terrain. The Historic talk by Bob Rennie will begin at noon once we are at the parking lot on Prospect St. in Dover and we will hike for an hour throughout the town approximately 3 km hearing Dover's history. Lunch stop will be approximately at 1pm, you can purchase your "fish" lunch at a local restaurant or bring your lunch and sit on benches at the lighthouse pier and enjoy the view. After lunch those of us hiking back to Simcoe will continue on with the hike and those with their cars on Prospect St. can enjoy the ambience of Dover a little longer.
Originally part of the Grand Trunk Railway line, the rail line was still very much operational when Bob lived there (until his 20s). It became the former CNR rail line which was established along the pioneer river trail in 1873 as the Lake Huron and Port Dover Railway. The rail line was abandoned in 1988.
Bob, guest of this hike, will share Dover's early "discovery" by French priests in 1669 previously inhabited by Algonquins and Neutrals. - Dover's founding by his ancestor and early development of Dover Mills. - War of 1812 Brock's attack on Detroit out of Dover, and the burning/redevelopment as Port Dover. - Rum running days in the prohibition era. - The importance of the largest fresh water fishing fleet in the world.
Hike leader: Jeanette Vincent
Contact: vincentjeanette1604@gmail.com
About the Hike Leader: A hike leader for over 20 years, locally and for the Bruce Trail Conservancy. In the year 2000 Jeanette participated in Greg Vincent's End-to-End of the Bruce Trail and it was then that she was hooked. Every year since she has been on hiking holidays out of the country. Jeanette continues Greg's Legacy of relaxing hiking weekends which they both led together.
About the guest: Bob Rennie UE is an amateur historian and historical living history reenactor. Bob has given many presentations on various aspects of Canada’s early history and spends much of his time at War of 1812 enactments and commemorations.
Where: Simcoe Memorial Park parking lot, 273 Owen St. Simcoe, ON, N3Y 2V3 (Norfolk County)
Length: 24 km (6- 6 1/2 hrs) with snack break & lunch stop and back . Or shorter 15 km (4 hrs)
Category: In and out (longer option) or Linear with car shuttle (shorter option)
Hike level and pace: 2 (moderate). approx 3 1/2 - 4 km/hr. Flat terrain, some paved & some stone dust.
Parking and departure: Meet for a 9:30 am departure from Simcoe Memorial Park parking lot, 273 Owen St. Simcoe, ON, N3Y 2V3 (Norfolk County). If you want the shorter hike of 15 km arrive at 8:50 am to do a car shuttle to drop off your car and return to the start.
- Coordinates: 42.829197, -80.298343
- 273 Owen St. Simcoe ON, N3Y 2V3 Norfolk County (Simcoe ON Hwy 24 south)
- From Kitchener about a 1 1/2 hour drive, add a little extra time if you are unfamiliar with the area.
Directions: Please use your favourite GPS app to obtain directions.
What to wear and bring: Bring water, snacks and lunch or purchase a fish lunch at one of the local restaurants. Be prepared for weather conditions for this day. Hiking shoes or boots recommended. Hiking poles if you use them.
Sorry, no dogs on GVTA hikes with the exception of certified service dogs.
ALL ARE WELCOME ON OUR HIKES. Membership is encouraged as it helps to support our trails, $30 per household. To become a member please go to:
https://www.gvta.on.ca/Membership.
