TORONTO CLUBS WITH A HIKING PROGRAM

TORONTO CLUBS WITH A HIKING and/or WALKING PROGRAM

If you are interested in finding people to hike with or participating in group hikes within Toronto , or walking tours organized out of Toronto , the following organizations may be of help. Hike Ontario does not recommend or endorse any of the clubs listed and cannot accept responsibility for their quality, but feedback from participants would be welcome.

A STROLL IN THE PARK WALKING & ADVENTURE CLUB
Founded by Christa Kroboth in 1990. This group is supported by Members and Non Members are always welcome to join. Christa organizes walks and many social activities for SINGLE NATURE-LOVERS. Walks take place Saturday and Sunday in Toronto 's parks and ravines. Trips and Holidays are organized for many locations beyond Toronto . Membership of $40 includes 3 free walks,members: $115 for 12 walks, $60 for six walks, $35 for three walks;non-members: $20 per walk.

Contact: A Stroll in The Park Walking & Adventure Club, 34 Eglinton Ave. West, Suite 116 , Toronto , ON M4R 2H6 . or 484-9255(WALK); christa@astrollinthepark.com www.astrollinthepark.com and www.interlog.com/~walktalk

HIGH PARK HIKING AND BICYCLE CLUB
Contact Dennis Carter, Director, 78 Sutherland Dr. , Toronto M4G 1H7 . Tel. 416-208-0699.
Website: http://www.hpbc.ca

METRO TORONTO FITNESS CLUB
A running and walking club for people of all ages and abilities, this group meets every Sunday in Sunnybrook Park at 8:30 am . The day begins with a Social Mile for everyone, then the group splits up for walks of varying lengths. A social time follows after the walk, back at the park pavilion. The Club has also established a power walking interest. Contacts: Howard Sandys 416-441-4965, howardsandys@home.com or Edie Tisch 416-935-0241 fetisch@pathcom.com Website: www.powerwalking.com

MORE THAN JUST WALKING
This is a commercial fitness walking club with a social aspect. Weekday walks explore the Beaches Boardwalk, last about 75 minutes and are offered April to December. Weekend walks are 2 to 3 hours, geared towards singles, explore areas in and around the GTA, start at 1:00 pm unless noted otherwise, and are offered year round. All walks are what they term "fitness walks". Weekday Walk annual fee $75 plus $4 per walk. Weekend Walk annual fee $25 plus $12 per walk. Non-members, $7 weekday and $15 weekend, per walk.
More Than Just Walking, The Fitness Walking Club, 1880 Queen Street East, Suite 109, Toronto M4L 1H2, Tel. 416-701-1515;
E-mail: walking@rogers.com
website: http://members.rogers.com/walking

NORTH TORONTO SKI CLUB
Sunday walks are held, beginning in March. The group meets at 10:00 am at the York Mills subway parking lot at the corner of Yonge Street and York Mills Road . Carpooling transports participants to the hike location with everyone contributing towards gas, etc. Guests are welcome. Website www.ntsc.ca
Information Line: 416-466-9947.

OAK RIDGES TRAIL ASSOCIATION
This group conducts weekly walks on the Oak Ridges Moraine to the north of Toronto . Call 1-877-319-0285 or visit www.orta.on.ca

THE OUT AND OUT CLUB
A club for gays and lesbians, The Out and Out Club offers a number of walking and hiking opportunities in Toronto and southern Ontario .
The Out and Out Club, P.O. Box 331 , Station F, Toronto M4Y 2L7; website: www.outandout.on.ca

SENIORS' SPORTS CLUB
This group of seniors (55 and over) hikes most Wednesdays in the Toronto area. Bus are sometimes used. Membership is $5.00.
Seniors' Sports Club, Pape Recreation Centre, 953 Gerrard St. East , Toronto M4M 1Z4 . Tel. 416-392-0750

SINGLE HORIZONS
An outdoor adventure and social organization for singles of all ages, in Toronto and across the GTA. Hikes are in Toronto during the winter; carpooling to more distant locations in the warmer months. Single Horizons, 4981 Hwy 7 East, Unit 12A, Suite 203 , Markham L3R 1N1. Tel. 905-471-7843; e-mail leeann.jensen@sympatico.ca; website: www.singlehorizons.com

THE OUTING CLUB OF EAST YORK
Founded in 1976, this club conducts an extensive program from March through December, of day and overnight activities, including hiking, city walks, cycling, in-line skating, volleyball, canoeing, kayaking and mountain biking. Carpooling is arranged to most activities. Membership: $25 adult, $10 senior, $50 family.
The Outing Club of East York , Box 99533, 1095 O'Connor Drive , Toronto M4B 3M9 . Tel. 416-724-3316.
Website: www.OutingClubofEastYork.org

TORONTO BRUCE TRAIL CLUB
The TBTC is one of nine clubs of the Bruce Trail Association, whose primary goal is the preservation of the Niagara Escarpment by developing a hiking trail. The TBTC runs an extensive hiking program each week, both in Toronto and beyond, as well as various social events. Some weekend hikes leave by bus from York Mills or Islington Subway, but there are also car-pooling hikes and hikes leaving from other locations. Annual membership fee in the Bruce Trail Association is $40.00, which includes membership in one of the nine clubs. Toronto Bruce Trail Club, Box 44, Station M, Toronto M6S 4T2. Activity line 416-763-9061;
Website: www.torontobrucetrailclub.org

TORONTO FIELD NATURALISTS
The TFN conducts organized outings year round throughout Toronto . All these are accessible by public transit. Whatever your interest in nature - trees, wildflowers, birds, geology, insects, mushrooms, or nature arts - you'll find many outings to interest you. Families are welcome on all outings. $30 Family membership; $25 Single membership; $20 Single senior/student.
Toronto Field Naturalists, 2 Carlton Street, #1519 , Toronto M5B 1J3 , Tel. 416-593-2656;
Website: www.sources.com/tfn

THE TORONTO HIKING AND CONSERVATION CLUB
Generally one hike each weekend. All hikes leave at 10:00 am from the parking lot on the northwest corner of Yonge and York Mills. Hikers car pool to get to the start of the hike. Hikes take place on trails, in conservation areas and other locations throughout the GTA. $15 Single membership; $20 Family membership.
The Toronto Hiking and Conservation Club, Box 121, Station F, Toronto M4Y 2L4. Tel. 416-759-7509.

TORONTO TRAVELLERS OUTDOOR CLUB
A Christian, interdenominational, adult, singles club, with activities on weekends, including hiking, skiing, canoeing, camping, barbeques and retreats. Membership is $20 per year.
Toronto Travellers Outdoor Club, 55 Ellerslie Ave., #1706 , Willowdale M2N 1X9 . Tel. 416-588-3039.

WAGGIN' TRAIL ADVENTURES
This is a commercial business that organizes and leads day hikes for people and their dogs. Hikes are held in and around the GTA, in all seasons, are relatively easy paced and last 2-3 hours. Pay by the hike ($15) or in hike packages (3 for $36, 6 for $60).
Waggin' Trail Adventures, 69 Greyabbey Trail, Scarborough M1E 1V8;
416-700-5987,
E-mail: waggintrailadventures@hotmail.com .
Website: www.waggintrailadventures.freeservers.com

OTHER TORONTO WALKING GROUPS
Refer to the Toronto Heart Health Partnership brochure called Toronto Walking Clubs available from local libraries and community centres, or by calling 416-338-5656 for a copy. Also available from Hike Ontario 1-800-894-7249. Free of charge. Copies of local Heart Health Route Maps are available from the same sources.

MAPS:

DISCOVERY WALKS
Discovery Walks is a program of self-guided walks that links City ravines, parks, gardens, beaches and neighbourhoods. For copies of the series of seven Discovery Walk brochures, visit your local library, civic centre or community centre or call Parks and Recreation Information 416-392-1111.

TORONTO PARKS & TRAILS
Produced by the City of Toronto , this map was designed for walkers and hikers, to help you navigate through the many parks and trails of the city. It is available free of charge, at Hike Ontario and local Civic Centres or by calling the Toronto Heart Health Partnership 416-338-5656.

THE OTHER MAP OF TORONTO
Produced by the Green Tourism Association of Toronto, this map shows numerous walking and cycling trails. Copies may be picked up, free-of-charge, at various tourism locations, obtained from Hike Ontario , or ordered from the Green Tourism Association 416-392-1288, e-mail: greento@city.toronto.on.ca
website: www.greentourism.on.ca

BOOKS are available from Chapters, Indigo, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Hikers Haven, Hike Ontario or Open Air Books. Here are some examples:

Hike Ontario Guide to Walks Around Toronto by Brad Cundiff ( Boston Mills, 1994) $14.95
Easy to follow guide with maps of the Greater Toronto Area, many accessible by TTC

Hiker Mike's Best Hikes, The Megacity and Beyond by Mike Kirby (Boston Mills, 2000) $19.95
Compilation of popular walks around the GTA; fun to read; trails rated for difficulty

Nature Hikes: Near-Toronto Trails and Adventures by Janet Eagleson (Boston Mills, 2000) $24.95
Profiles of 33 Conservation Areas in Southern Ontario and the hiking available

Toronto 's Ravines: Walking the Hidden Country by Murray Seymour (Boston Mills, 2000) $19.95
Explore the many ravines of Toronto

Great Country Walks Around Toronto by Elliott Katz (Great North Books, 1996) $3.95
Description of popular walks accessible by TTC

Hike Ontario
The Gate House
13990 Dufferin Street North , King City , Ontario , Canada , L7B 1B3
Phone: 905-833-1787 or 1-800-894-7249
Fax: 905-833-8379
Email