WALKING RESOURCES
MALL WALKING
As part of Toronto Public Health’s Walk into Health program, a complete list of shopping malls that open their facilities for walking may be viewed at: http://www.toronto.ca/health/walkintohealth/walkinggroups.htm
CENTERPOINT MALL WALKING CLUB Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 8:00-9:30AM Annual membership: $10.00 Contact Eleni Koulidis at (416)223-9560 to register or learn more
DAVENPORT NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE WALK PROGRAM Contact Mariela Soto to register or learn more Tel.: (416)656-8025 Ext. 263 E-mail: [email protected]
SCARBOROUGH TOWN CENTRE MALL WALK PROGRAM Walking program runs 7 days a week from 6:30AM to 9:00PM Annual membership: $10.00 with a presentation every 6 weeks Contact Paul Goodwin to register or learn more Phone: 416-871-9313 E-mail: [email protected]
WALK INTO HEALTH PEDOMETER LENDING PROGRAM A pedometer is a simple tool used to count the number of steps you take. Loan a pedometer for a 3-week period at selected Toronto Public Library branches. To learn more, call (416) 338-7600 or visit the website at: http://www.toronto.ca/health/walkintohealth/pedometerlending.htm
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OUTDOOR WALKING CLUBS/GROUPS
A STROLL IN THE PARK WALKING & ADVENTURE CLUB Founded by Christa Kroboth in 1995, this group is supported by its members but always welcomes new, non-members to participate. Christa organizes walks and many social activities for nature lovers. Walks take place Saturday and Sunday in Toronto's parks and ravines. Trips and holidays are organized to many locations beyond Toronto.
Pricing & Membership: Member rates: Annual membership = $40.00 – includes 3 free walks! Membership renewal (1 week before expiry): 5% off + 3 free walks 12 walks: $115.00 6 walks: $60.00 3 walks: $35.00 1 walk: $18.00
Non-member rates: 1 walk: $20.00 Newcomer special: free annual membership when you sign up for 6 or 12 walks
Contact: A Stroll in The Park Walking & Adventure Club 120 Eglinton Ave. East, Suite 500, Toronto, ON M4P 1E2 (416) 484-9255(WALK) [email protected] Website: www.astrollinthepark.com
TORONTO HIGH PARK HIKING AND BICYCLE CLUB Founded in 1998, this is a fun and exciting bicycle club with a wide range of activities such as Tuesday & Friday “Riding Tours”, Sunday “Road/Mountain Bike Rides”, and our popular “Weekend Hotel, Resort & Camping Trips”. There are also multiple social events open to all who are interested. Volunteers are always welcome.
Contact: Visit the Toronto High Park Hiking and Bicycle Club website for all contact details as there are different organizers for different activities - http://www.torontohpbc.ca
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METRO TORONTO FITNESS CLUB A running and walking club for people of all ages and abilities. This group meets every Sunday (rain or shine) at 8:30AM in Sunnybrook Park. The day begins with a Social Mile for everyone, then the group splits up for walks of varying lengths. More social time follows after the walk. The club has also established a power walking interest.
Pricing & Membership: Individual membership: $35.00 Family membership: $50.00 Associate membership: $15.00 Life membership (Age 80+ and member for 10+ years): FREE Membership runs from January 1st to December 31st (first year is 50% discounted if joining after June 30th)
Contact: Edie Tisch 416-935-0241 [email protected] Website: www.mtfc.ca
NORTH TORONTO SKI CLUB Established in 1960, this volunteer-run ski club offers weekly hikes throughout the spring and fall months. Everyone meets at 9:45AM in the parking lot on the southwest corner of Yonge & Sheppard. Carpooling transports participants to the hike location – passengers contribute $8.00 to every carpool driver for gas and car expenses. Bring lunch and plenty of water to have during the trail. Refreshments at a local establishment after the hike. Guests are welcome.
Contact: Lesley Austin – Day Hike Coordinator 416-638-8919 (evenings and weekends) [email protected] General information line: 416-763-9016. Website: http://www.ntsc.ca/
OAK RIDGES TRAIL ASSOCIATION This group conducts weekly walks on the Oak Ridges Moraine to the north of Toronto. The Oak Ridges Moraine runs parallel to and about 60 km north of Lake Ontario. A 200 km from the Niagara Escarpment in the west to the Trent River in the east.
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Pricing & Membership: Individual or family membership: $30.00 Student membership: $20.00 for Students Life membership: $450.00 Tax receipts will be issued each calendar year
Contact: ORTA P.O. Box 28544 Aurora, ON L4G 6S6 1-877-319-0285 Website: http://www.oakridgestrail.org
SENIORS' SPORTS CLUB This group of seniors (55 and over) hikes most Wednesdays in the Toronto area.
Membership fee: $5.00 Contact: Seniors' Sports Club Pape Recreation Centre 953 Gerrard St. East Toronto M4M 1Z4 (416)392-0750
THE OUTING CLUB OF EAST YORK Founded in 1976, this club is dedicated to helping people stay fit and enjoy outdoor activities year-round. In the spring, summer & fall there are extensive programs for canoeing, hiking & cycling. Day and overnight activities include hiking, city walks, cycling, canoeing, kayaking and mountain biking, snowshoe & cross-country ski trips.
Pricing & Membership: Annual adult membership (Sept 1-Aug 31): $30.00 Annual family membership (Sept 1-Aug 31): $50.00 for parents + children under 18 yrs. Note: Carpool costs, accommodations, and other incidental costs are additional and are estimated for each outing.
Contact: The Outing Club of East York PO Box 65126 RPO Chester, Toronto ON M4K 3Z2 Website: www.OutingClubofEastYork.org
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TORONTO BRUCE TRAIL CLUB The TBTC is one of nine clubs of the Bruce Trail Association aiming to preserve the Niagara Escarpment through the development of 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: $50.00 per family
Contact: Toronto Bruce Trail Club Box 44, Station D Toronto, Ontario, M6S 3J5 Activity line: (416)763-9061 Website: www.torontobrucetrailclub.org
TORONTO FIELD NATURALISTS The TFN organizes year-round outings throughout Toronto that are accessible by public transit. Nature lovers should find several outings that satisfy their interests - trees, wildflowers, birds, geology, insects, mushrooms or nature arts. Families are welcome on all outings.
Pricing & Membership: Annual single adult fee: $40.00 Annual senior (65+) fee: $30.l00 Annual student fee: $30.00 Annual family fee (2 adults + children, same address): $50.00 Annual senior family fee (2 adults, 65+): $40.00 Note: Annual fees are due June 30 but new members may join at any time. Those who join after March 1st are enrolled to June 30th of the following year.
Contact: Toronto Field Naturalists 2 Carlton Street, #1519, Toronto M5B 1J3 (416) 593-2656 Website: http://www.torontofieldnaturalists.org/
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THE TORONTO HIKING AND CONSERVATION CLUB This club generally offers hikes every Sunday at various conservation areas throughout the GTA. Hikers meet at 10:00AM from the Jolly Miller parking lot on Yonge Street, one block south of Wilson/York Mills (3885 Yonge St.). This is a temporary location from May 29 to September 6 while the TTC York Mills parking lot (usual meeting place) is closed for construction. Dogs are not permitted on the hikes. Summer hikes are short and most include swimming so bring your swimsuits and a towel along!
Pricing & Membership: New single membership: $20.00 New family membership: $25.00 Single membership renewal: $15.00 Family membership renewal: $20.00 Note: The membership period runs Oct 1-Sept 30 the following year.
Contact: Toronto Hiking Club Box 121, Station F Toronto, Ontario M4Y 2L4 (416) 532-2883 Website: http://www.sproulephoto.ca/thcc/
WAGGIN' TRAIL ADVENTURES This is a commercial business that organizes and leads day hiking for walkers and their dogs. Hikes are held in year-round in and around the GTA and run for 2-3 hours at a relatively easy pace.
Pricing: $15.00/hike, $36.00/3 hikes, $60/6 hikes Contact: (416) 700-5987 E-mail: [email protected]
TORONTO TRAVELLERS OUTDOOR CLUB A Christian, interdenominational, adult, singles club that offers weekend activities, such as hiking, skiing, canoeing, camping, barbeques and retreats.
Annual membership fee: $20.00 Contact: Toronto Travelers Outdoor Club 55 Ellerslie Ave. #1706 Willowdale, ON M2N 1X9 (416) 588-3039
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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 and carpooling is available to farther locations in the warmer months.
Contact: Single Horizons 4981 Hwy 7 East, Unit 12A, Suite 203 Markham L3R 1N1 (905-471-7843) E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.singlehorizons.com
THE OUT AND OUT CLUB Since 1980, this has been a walking club for gays and lesbians. The Out and Out Club offers a number of walking and hiking activities in Toronto and southern Ontario. The New Members Nights are held at the 519 Church Street Community Center on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00PM.
Contact: The Out and Out Club P.O. Box 331, Station F, Toronto M4Y 2L7 Website: www.outandout.on.ca
WALKING 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 or community centre or call (416) 392-1111.
TORONTO PARKS & TRAILS Produced by the City of Toronto, this map was designed for walkers and hikers to help them navigate through the many parks and trails of the city. It is available free of charge at Hike Ontario (1-800-894-7249, email: [email protected], website: www.hikeontario.com), your local civic centre or by calling the Toronto Heart Health Partnership at (416) 338-5656.
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BOOKS ON WALKING/HIKING
Books on walking and hiking are available from Chapters/Indigo, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Hikers Haven, Hike Ontario or Open Air Books. The following is a list of recommended books:
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 of which are accessible by TTC.
Hiker Mike's Best Hikes, The Megacity and Beyond by Mike Kirby (Boston Mills, 2000) $19.95 Fun-to-read compilation of popular walks around the GTA with trails rated by 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 trails 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.
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