About the hike: Whistling Gardens is one of Ontario’s premier horticultural gardens. Since 2012, they have garnered regional, provincial, national and international awards and are home to North America’s largest peony collection, North America’s largest conifer collection and one of Canada’s largest computer run fountain shows. Stroll and explore over 20 acres of gardens displaying over 4,500 different plants including the rarest tree in the world; the Baishan Fir.
Whistling Gardens admission adults -$16.80 (Thursday is senior day $2.00 off)
Includes a Musical Fountain show. A greenhouse for visitors to purchase a variety of plants.
Spring (May thru mid-June) we will see...
Trees: Magnolia, Redbud, Crab Apples, Serviceberry, Dogwood, Fringe Tree
Shrubs: Viburnum, Ninebark, Rhododendron, Azalea, Pearl Bush, Lilac, Fothergilla, Daphne, Berberis
Flowers: Creeping Phlox, Trillium, Mayapple, Peonies, Amsonia, False Indigo, Daffodils, Hyacinth
We will eat our lunch in the garden.
After lunch we are off to Waterford Ponds & Heritage Trail - 9km hike. From the gardens we will drive a 10/15 minute drive to the Waterford trail. Meeting place TBD. Areas of interest on this hike: Black Bridge looks out onto panoramic views of the Waterford Ponds to the west, and the small, picturesque downtown area to the east ponds. The trail is a mixed paved and gravel route, relatively flat, with pedestrian bridges, exposed route through fields, urban passage with waterside sections.
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.
Where: Whistling Gardens parking lot - 698 Concession 3 Townsend, Wilsonville, ON N0E 1Z0
Length: 3 km - Whistling Gardens; 9 km - Waterford Ponds & Heritage Trail
Category: Loops
Hike level and pace: Whistling Gardens: 3 km (leisurely); Waterford Ponds & Heritage Trail: 9 km 2 (moderate). approx 3 1/2 - 4 km/hr; easy terrain.
Parking and departure: Meet for a 10:00 am departure , parking lot at Whistling Garden 698 Concession 3 Townsend, Wilsonville, ON N0E 1Z0 (GPS 42.997766, -80.297705).
Directions: Please use your favourite GPS app to obtain directions.
What to wear and bring: Bring water, snacks and lunch. Where clothing suitable for the weather conditions. Hiking shoes or boots, sunhat and sunscreen are recommended.
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.
