Looking for places to hike this summer that are local, fun, exciting and low cost? Then look no further than the great outdoors of Halton Hills. That's right, there is plenty to see, do and explore in our own backyard. Whether you are looking for a leisurely hike on a flat surface or for a physical challenge, Halton Hills hiking delivers the goods. Come, join me as we explore places to hike in Halton Hills that will make you appreciate its natural beauty.

1. Bruce Trail

Let's start with our world-renowned Bruce Trail. With over 100 kilometres of Bruce Trail to choose from, your challenge will be which trail to try first. A perennial favourite of many is the Scotsdale farm. Here you will find a number of side trails (marked with blue) and the main trail (marked with white). For a downloadable map go to: http://brucetrail.org/places/7

2. Hungry Hollow trail

The newly-completed Hungry Hollow boardwalk and trail is a joy to hike. This four kilometre one-way trail is part boardwalk, woodchip and part natural trail. Access points can be reached at Metcalfe Court, Mountainview, Miller Drive and Lookout Court. Pick up a copy of the Trails Halton map or download a copy from http://www.haltonhills.ca/discover/trails.php. Keep your eyes and ears open for birds, plants, mammals and insects that call the ravine home. Soaring turkey vultures, kingfishers cruising along Silver Creek, and white-tailed deer in the valley lands are a few of the connections with nature you may encounter. The Schmidt family have made the Hungry Hollow trail part of their lifestyle. Kevin, 7, Tyler, 10, and Siobhan, 11, all agree that they have fun climbing the hills and that the new boardwalk means no more muddy and wet shoes.

3. Jubilee Woodlot

One of my newly-found places to hike is the Jubilee Woodlot. Known to many locals as a place for a casual stroll, this half-kilometre trail is rich in wildlife. Don't let the small size deter you from this outing. Good things come in small packages. Migrating monarchs and long-eared owls have used this woodlot as a roost. Visit often and remember to bring your binoculars as you never know what you may discover.
http://www.haltonhills.ca/discover/trails.php

4. Old Dominion
Seed House

The Old Dominion Seed House Garden will fit the bill if you are looking for a leisurely stroll. This one acre garden, created by volunteers, has a meandering path that leads you through gardens, trees, a pond and a gazebo. Drop by the pond in the late evening to marvel at the acrobatic display of the chimney swifts as they dart through the night sky in search of food.
The Old Dominion Seed House Garden: http://www.oldseedhousegarden.com/

5. Lucy Maud
Montgomery Heritage Gardens

In honour of Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of Anne Green Gables, who lived in Norval from 1926-1935, these gardens showcase the talents of local volunteers. You, too, can enjoy the lovely sights and fragrances by watching the flowers grow as you stroll through the pathways. Remember to bring along your camera to capture the colourful flowers. The gazebo makes a great place to stop and enjoy a picnic lunch and refreshments.
For more information on the gardens visit: http://www.lmmontgomerynorval.com/

6. Willow Park
Ecology Centre

After enjoying a picnic lunch at the Lucy Maud Montgomery Heritage Gardens, you can take a short hike to the Willow Park Ecology Centre where Silver Creek joins the Credit River. This community-run five-acre park provides opportunities to view a diversity of nature in the valley. You can hike, learn, discover and explore a butterfly garden, a composting garden and a pond viewing platform.
http://www.willowparkecology.com

7. Limehouse
Conservation Area

Limehouse Conservation Area is the place for hikers looking for a challenge. Travel through history and imagine a time when these lands were actively used in the production of lime for cement. Several of the lime kilns and powderhouse magazines have been preserved for all to view. The Bruce Trail runs through this area and hikers can expect a varied terrain of meadows, creeks and limestone crags. Make sure that the famous 'hole-in-the-wall' hike is on your list. Plan to bring refreshments, camera, binoculars, lunch, sturdy hiking boots and a hiking stick. Once you visit this area, you will be marking it on your calendar to return time and time again.
http://www.limehousekilns.ca/
http://www.creditvalleyca.ca/recandleisure/limehouse.htm

8. Silver Creek
Conservation Area

Silver Creek Conservation Area is a hikers' paradise with numerous Bruce Trail trails criss-crossing the area. You will see and experience it all at Silver Creek: ravines, ponds, wetlands, limestone crags, meadows and woodlots. To make your hike more enjoyable bring along sturdy hiking boots, refreshments, snacks, hiking stick and remember your camera to capture the stunning scenery. If it's variety you are looking for then this is the place to explore. Make sure you visit the Silver Creek pond with its unique boardwalk. This boardwalk was designed to minimize impact to the provincially and nationally-threatened Jefferson salamander that inhabits this area.
http://www.creditvalleyca.ca/recandleisure/silvercreek.htm#visitor

9. Terra Cotta
Conservation Area

Terra Cotta Conservation Area offers several hiking trails, picnic areas and ponds to explore. Dean and Penni Gunby and their two children, Luke, 8, and Owen, 5, have spent countless hours by the ponds listening and looking for bullfrogs, leopard frogs, gray tree frogs, green frogs and great blue herons. Budget half a day or a full day for a visit to Terra Cotta.
http://www.creditvalleycons.com/recandleisure/terracotta.htm

10. For those rainy days

Before your hikes, or for those odd rainy days you can play Professor Noggin's nature trivia card games with the entire family. Each game focuses on a theme: birds, insects and spiders, freshwater life, and reptiles and amphibians. From playing the various games you can quickly become an expert on the creatures and critters that you encounter while hiking. A sample question on the turkey vulture- a bird that you are bound to see riding the thermals high in the sky, goes like this: "Unlike most birds, what sense do I have that helps me locate food? (Answer: Sense of smell). Locally these games can be picked up from Squirt's Toys and Learning Co. in Georgetown.
http://www.professornoggin.com/index.shtml
As you can see, Halton Hills has a wealth of hiking locations all within a short walk or drive that are accessible, diverse and a pleasure to explore. This summer, make a pact with yourself and your family to take a hike in Halton Hills. I will see you on the trails!


-Kerry Jarvis is an educator, naturalist, gardener, author and photographer living in Georgetown. He is a member of the Bruce Trail Conservancy, Toronto Entomological Association
and the Halton Hills Camera Club.
Visit: http://www.kerryjarvis.com or, e-mail: kerryjarvis@kerryjarvis.com