Toronto Island (social hike), June 11 2026 8:45am

Toronto Islands June 11, 2026

Sometimes the best escape from the city is only a short ferry ride away.  This week 13 Pathfinders and their two guests spent a beautiful day exploring and learning about the Toronto Islands. 

Map of Toronto Islands

 

On the Ferry

We took the ferry from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal heading for Ward’s Island which is on the east side of the islands.  This is the residential part of the island with 70 island homes and leases. There is a waiting list for potential purchasers of homes and leases that opens every two years.  The Trust accepts 500 names; however, most buyers are usually found within the first 100 names.

Once we landed, we proceeded to the boardwalk and headed to Centre Island.

Walking on the boardwalk

Tucked away we found a little path leading to a beach where we were able to take a group shot.

The Group

From Ward’s Island to Centre Island Peir is a 2.3 km walk.  Along the way we found this amazing pine tree that Marleene said deserved a hug.

Marleen hugging a tree

 

Everyone on the pier was looking out into the water, it must have an awfully big fish.  Apparently fishing on the Islands is rated as one of the best urban angling experiences in the GTA. 

Looking out from the pier

 

The sign on the pier said 1,269 km to Halifax, 3, 371 Km to Vancouver, New York City 548 km and Eaton Chelsea Hotel 6 k. but we’re sure Jane wants to go to Halifax

Jane pointing to Halifax

 

After some photo ops on the pier, we walked through Centreville which is the amusement park area of the Island.  There are rides, food and a little farm for the kids to visit.  We encountered a beautiful swan that was nesting as well as a couple of Herons, and two duck families with their babies.

The Heron

Baby Ducks

 

 Following the path out of Centreville we crossed the bridge over to Olympic Island where the group took a few minutes to admire the scenery on the other side of the water.

Enjoying the site on the other side

Toronto Skyline

 

After lunch we came back out to the pier for some ice cream and where a Beavertail addict was able to satisfy her addiction.

Addict's entrance

 

We ate, cleaned up then headed towards Hanlon’s Point.  Along the way we encountered Artscape a building which offers artists and creatives and ideal place to focus on their projects as well as the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse.

Gibraltar Point lighthouse

 

The lighthouse is the oldest existing lighthouse on the Great Lakes.  It was built in 1808 and is located on the southwestern top of the Toronto Islands.  The 80-foot stone tower is famous for being one of Toronto’s oldest buildings and the centre of its most enduring ghost story.

We also made a pit stop to ascertain what type of lily was growing in the marshy area of the island0

Ann documenting flowers

Alas all great days come to an end.  after our meander of 3.9 km, we arrived at the Hanlan’s point ferry terminal.  At the foot of the terminal sits the statue of Edward (Ned) Hanlan who was a professional sculler, hotelier and alderman from Toronto.  Hanlan is widely regarded as Canada’s fist individual sporting hero hailing from the east end of Toronto Island.

Edward Hanlan Memorial

 

A big thank you to all who came out on this fantastic day.

Annual PHG BBQ, Fri 5 Jun, 5pm -- , rated SGES (seriously good eating and socializing)

 After 4.5 days straight of perfect weather for hiking and outdoor socializing, the weather gods favoured us by holding off the rain until about 7:30. Even then, it was just splatters. All in all, conditions were perfect in the lovely backyard of Kathy and John Burgers. There was some question about whether our BBQ chefs were vaping when we thought they should be cooking, but all turned out well. The Social Committee arranged for a nice selection of protein and fixings, complemented by appetizers, salads, and desserts brought by members. The result was good variety and quality at a great price. The 57 members in attendance seemed to agree. 

The Social Committee and setting were perfect, allowing for some good socializing time at the start followed by great food service. Thanks to the committee -- Sue Stephens (Chair), Mary DM, Deb Porszt, Mary Lester, Carolyn Rumble, our chefs Michael, Ross and Gerry, and of course our hosts Kathy and John. 

Michael and Ross stop for a breather

Pathfinders brought lots of healthy and tasty salads -- natch!

 

Deb seemed happy with her door prize. 

Sue thanks Kathy & John

Another splash of colour for the Burgers' garden. 

Wally Nisbet Trail (aka Wally's Walk), Thu 4 June, 2026, 8:45

 Thirteen hikers followed Tom unquestioningly through a very large number of intersections and potential wrong turns -- all to end up back where they started!!😀The E-E rating and modest 5.9 km made this less of an accomplishment than the pictures would suggest.

 The Wally Nisbet hike is named to honour the memory of Wally Nisbet, long-time Pathfinder, hike leader, and developer of many of our routes, including this one. 

Blue skies and sunshine make for great hiking. And serious shadows!

 

Dame's Rocket -- in its full glory. 

Roberts & Irwin Quarry, Thu 4 June 2026, 8:15

Hattie Cui lead 11 hikers on a good day along on one of Pathfinders favourite trails through Silver Creek Conservation Area -- 8 km of S-D hiking

The title suggests we took in two side trails to the main Bruce trail. These took us along scenic escarpment vistas and through mature forests.

Roberts side trial goes through woods and includes pond views from a boardwalk before climbing the escarpment. It rejoins the main Bruce Trail at the edge of the Silver Creek Valley. The trail is named after Mr. and Mrs. George Roberts who maintained this section of Bruce Trail for many years.

Irwin Quarry side trail follows the old Irwin Quarry access road. It reconnects with the main Bruce Trail, making a loop. Although the area was replanted, you can still see exposed limestone.

We were happy to be shaded under the forest canopy on this sunny day, happily ending around noon when the ambient peaked at 30 Celsius.

 

Thank you Hattie for organizing a lovely morning hike.

Niagara Glen, Mon June 1, 2026 8:15

The leader Andrea Kovacs and 3 hikers were up for the adventure in Niagara Glen a 9km hike rated S-D.

This is a pretty and strenuous 6.3km hike with many side trials that can be added. It decends the Niagara Gorge near the

Hikers traversing a crevice between bolders. Watch your footing - the rapids are waiting for you!

A view over a bend in the river with turquois water rapids in foreground.

The leader takes a selfie-group shot at a much needed break.

Three hikers at waters edge, one testing the water - too hot a day to venture into the cold fast flowing water.

Hiker turned to trail maintenance ... Ah we'ed like this bolder right here.

The hiking group sharing company, with a celebratory beverage. An enjoyable conclusion before heading home.

Thank you Andrea for organizing and leading us today.

Morrison Creek N&S, Thu 28 May 2026, 8:45

22 hikers turned out on a perfect Spring day, following Tom who followed the creek and also the gentle corrections of Sid and Wanda. It was a great group effort!

 

Preparing for the final ascent: up the stairs to the parking lot. 

Mountain Brow - Red Hill Creek, Mon May 25 2026 @ 8:45

Ten hikers joined Nancy on this sunny summerlike day. The rainy weekend made the trail muddy in places, but the hikers managed to remain relatively clean. Thankfully, everyone had their poles!!

A great day for a hike

Red Hill Creek

Are we there yet?

It was slow going down the hills.

Albion Falls after a rainy weekend

Port Credit Rhodos & Azaleas, Thu 21 May 2026, 8:45

More of a stroll in the park than a hike, 13 members joined Liz for a cool and sunny day. Perfect conditions really -- except the azaleas and rhodos at Brueckner Gardens did not get the memo and most forgot to turn up. The usual the grand display was quite muted this year, many of the rhodos having finished and most of the azaleas just in bud. 

Definitely not short-pants weather

 

Not all rhododendrons were done.

This experimental maple/rhodo cross is doing quite well

Van Wagner's Beach Monday May 18, 2026 8:45am

Leader : John Burgers

10 hikers joined in on this the first sunny and hot day of 2026 to stroll the 4 km path along Van Wagner's Beach starting a Lakeland pool to Greys Road. Here the group is seen at the turn around point. A jolly cyclist, who has a sense for photography offered to take the photo.

A couple of hikers recalled having been to the beach on seeing the restaurants we passed.

Thankfully this hike is rated easy and the wind was slightly off the cooler lake water.

"At the hike turn around point"

DV- Spring Creek, Thu 14 May 2026, 8:15

 There was an unusual twist to this 8km M-N hike led by Hattie: for the first portion, we were accompanied by Craig from Cogeco TV. Thinking we were actually newsworthy, the poor man lugged his AV gear up hill and down dale to catch us at play. The rest of us had a great hike! Thanks to Patricia and John for the photos. 

Kathy & Michele

10 hikers, one guest roaming journalist

 

Kathy is interviewed by Craig. 

John, David and Tom -- post-interview

Rita, Marleen and Nancy seem to be checking on Hattie's navigation