The Halton Outdoor Club upcoming events

Hiking Earth Day Clean-up Hike, Dundas (21 Apr 2026)

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:15:00 GMT

The difficulty of a hike is determined by the speed, distance, elevation gain and terrain. Please read the template to determine if the hike is right for you. More descriptors are included in the Guiding Notes below the template.

HIKE TITLE	Earth Day Clean-up Hike
DATE	Tuesday, April 21, 2026
HIKE LEADER(S)	Dave Somerville
LEADER EMAIL AND CELL NUMBER	905 659 6768 289 556 6707 Day of hike TEXT cdsomerville4@gmail.com
MEETING TIME and START TIME	Meet at 9:15 a.m. for a 9:30 a.m. start
MEETING/ PARKING LOCATION	University Plaza 101 Osler Drive, Dundas Behind Shoppers Drug Mart
MEETING MAP (link)	University Plaza
ENTRANCE FEES	None
DISTANCE	10-12 km
DURATION OF HIKE	Approx 4 hours
SPEED Leisurely: 3 km/hour or less Moderate: 3-4 km/hour Fast: 4-5 km/hour	Moderate
ELEVATION GAIN Low: mostly flat - a few hills Moderate: some ups and downs High: lots of hills, steep and/or long	Moderate
TERRAIN Easy: wide trail, usually good footing Moderate: some areas of tricky footing Challenging: rugged trail with tricky footing	Easy to Moderate
TYPE OF HIKE: i.e. Loop, There & Back or Combination	There and back.
GENERAL ROUTE DESCRIPTION Points of Interest and Special Notes	We will start with a meeting with a rep. from Dundas Valley Conservation Authority and then proceed to tidy up the rail trail through west Hamilton and into Dundas. (4km) After an 11zee break, we will hike the Monarch Trail and enjoy the cleaned-up trail.
Other Specifics to Your Hike i.e. social to follow hike	Afterwards, a stop for the finest bagel in Dundas!
REGISTRATION is required and opens 2 weeks prior to the hike.	Up to 25 hikers may register. Leaders appreciate early registration, but you can register at the last minute. Please join the waitlist if the hike is full.
CANCELLATION	• If your plans change, please self-cancel as soon as possible so that other HOC members may take your spot. • The club may cancel due to bad weather that may impact the safety of participants or due to low attendance.
WHAT TO BRING	• Wear supportive hiking boots with good tread. • Hiking poles may be helpful. • Dress in layers according to weather; wear/bring waterproof rainwear. • Bring snacks and enough water for the duration of the hike. Sun and bug protection as required • Conservation Authority is supplying what we need.

GUIDE

HIKE PACE - Pace refers to the speed of walking. Rest stops are not figured in to the overall pace, however they are figured in to the duration of the hike. These paces represent an average and may vary depending on the terrain, weather, group size, etc.

Leisurely: 3 km/hour or less.

Moderate: 3-4 km/hour

Fast: 4-5 km/hour.

TERRAIN – This refers to the footing on the trail itself and is influenced by the presence of rocks, roots, step-ups and step-downs, as well as the width of the trail. Please note variations can be expected with wet or icy conditions.

Easy: wide trails, may be paved or hard packed, mostly good footing, i.e. rail trails, waterfront trails

Moderate: some tricky footing, i.e. Bruce Trail, Dundas Valley, Conservation Areas, RBG trails

Challenging: significant areas of tricky footing (some parts of the Bruce Trail, some trails in Short Hills, up and down the escarpment).

ELEVATION: This refers to the accumulated elevation gained over the course of the hike.

Low: route is mostly flat but may include some gentle ups and downs

Moderate: route has hills, a few may be steep and/or long, but also some flat areas

Challenging: route has lots of hills, some of which are steep and long and few areas that are flat

Attention Non-Members: If you are thinking about becoming a member, The Halton Outdoor Club invites you to take part in up to two club activities as a Non-Member. After that, please join our club so we can welcome you as a member. Registration is required for all events, and you will have to agree to the waiver of participation when registering.

Attention Past Members: You are not entitled to two trial activities. Please renew your membership to take advantage of all that the Club has to offer.

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Hiking Hamilton Weekly Waterfront Walk (22 Apr 2026)

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:15:00 GMT

HIKE TITLE	Hamilton Weekly Waterfront Walk
DATE	Wed. April 22, 2026
HIKE LEADER(S)	Tammy Ross, Jim Blair, Heather Wilson
EMAIL AND CELL NUMBER	tammyross@rogers.com 905-518-6942
GENERAL LOCATION (City/Town)	Hamilton Harbour Waterfront Trail
START TIME	Meet at 9:15 for 9:30 start
MEETING PLACE OR PARKING LOCATION	Hamilton Bayfront Park Parking Lot - Google Search Park in the lot closest to the water. Meet at the stylized ship’s mast with “Waterfront Trail” written on the sail which is located in the corner of the parking lot, close to the water and the railway yard.
DISTANCE (km)	6 km with option to lengthen to 8 kms +, depending on route
PACE: Leisure/Moderate/Fast	Moderate: 3 - 4 kms per hour but pace may vary if you prefer a faster or slower pace
DURATION APPROX (hrs)	2 hours +/-
TERRAIN: Easy/Moderate/Challenging	Easy: Flat and paved.
TYPE OF HIKE: Loop, out and back, End to End	Out and back, with some possible route variations from week to week (i.e. up to York Blvd., over to pier 4, some city sidewalks)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION Point of interests	Along the waterfront of Hamilton Harbour, under bridge to Cootes Paradise and Bayfront Park. There may be some route variations.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED	Yes. A Must. Leaders appreciate early registration and at least 24 hrs before the event.
CANCELLATION	• If your plans change, please self-cancel as soon as possible so that other HOC members may take your spot. • The club may cancel due to bad weather that may impact the safety of participants or due to low attendance.
REGISTRATION OPENS	Two weeks before the hike. Up to 20 hikers are welcome to participate in this event.
WHAT TO BRING	• Hiking boots or good walking shoes • Carry: Snacks, water, extra layers, especially wind and rain protection.
OTHER SPECIFICS TO YOUR HIKE i.e. social to follow	A coffee stop at Williams Fresh Café, on the waterfront, is a regular option following the hike.

GUIDING NOTES:

HIKE PACE - Leisure: 3 km/hr or less. Moderate: 3-4 km/hr or Fast: 4-5km/hr. All paces are average and depending on the terrain.

TERRAIN - Easy: mostly flat and usually good footing (i.e. rail trails, Confederation Park, Bay Front Park), Moderate: some hills and/or poor footing (Bruce Trail, Dundas Valley, etc.) and Challenging: steep hills and strenuous footing (Bruce Trail, some trails in Short Hills, Dundas Valley and Red Hill Valley). Please note variations can be expected with weather conditions.

Registration is required for all events, and you will have to agree to the waiver of participation when registering.

Attention Past Members: You are not entitled to two trial activities. Please renew your membership to take advantage of all that the Club has to offer.

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Hiking Waterfall Series - Dundas Peak and Tew’s Falls (23 Apr 2026)

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:45:00 GMT

HIKE TITLE	Waterfall Series: Dundas Peak and Tew’s Falls
DATE	Thursday, April 23, 2026
HIKE LEADER(S)	Craig Sim
LEADER EMAIL AND CELL NUMBER	simcraig54@gmail.com cell 289-659-0007 (day of hike only)
MEETING TIME and START TIME	Meet at 9:45 for 10am start
MEETING/ PARKING LOCATION	Dundas Driving Park, near washrooms 71 Cross St., Dundas
MEETING MAP (link)	Dundas Driving Park
ENTRANCE FEES
DISTANCE	8km (approximate)
DURATION OF HIKE	Approx. 2.5 hrs
SPEED Leisurely: 3 km/hour or less Moderate: 3-4 km/hour Fast: 4-5 km/hour	Moderate
ELEVATION GAIN Low: mostly flat - a few hills Moderate: some ups and downs High: lots of hills, steep and/or long	Moderate
TERRAIN Easy: wide trail, usually good footing Moderate: some areas of tricky footing Challenging: rugged trail with tricky footing	Moderate, mostly good footing, some roots and rocks
TYPE OF HIKE: i.e. Loop, There & Back or Combination	Combination
GENERAL ROUTE DESCRIPTION Points of Interest and Special Notes	Greater Hamilton is noted as “The City of Waterfalls”, boasting over 100 waterfalls, plunging over the Nagara Escarpment. The Waterfalls Hike Series introduces hikers to the most popular of the area’s stunning waterfalls. On this hike we’ll start at Dundas Driving Park to Dundas Peak and Tew’s Falls and see great views of Dundas and this pretty waterfall. Tew’s Falls is a ribbon waterfall and the tallest in Hamilton.
Other Specifics to Your Hike i.e. social to follow hike	Optional beverage/snack after
REGISTRATION is required and opens 2 weeks prior to the hike.	Up to 15 hikers may register. Leaders appreciate early registration, but you can register at the last minute. Please join the waitlist if the hike is full.
CANCELLATION	• If your plans change, please self-cancel as soon as possible so that other HOC members may take your spot. • The club may cancel due to bad weather that may impact the safety of participants or due to low attendance.
WHAT TO BRING	• Wear supportive hiking boots with good tread. • Hiking poles will be helpful. • Dress in layers according to weather; wear/bring waterproof rainwear. • Bring snacks and enough water for the duration of the hike. • Sun and bug protection as required • Icers are mandatory in winter conditions