I don’t know about you, but I think that the fall is the best time of year for hiking in Ontario. The autumn colours are brilliant, the weather is more comfortable, and the bugs have disappeared for the season. And the Parkbus fall hiking schedule has so many fun adventures that I’m excited to share with you.
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So, what is Parkbus, anyway? How can you join a Parkbus hike, and what is their complete schedule of fall hikes? I’ll share everything you need to know. Before long, I’m sure you’ll be raving about the exhilarating day you enjoyed in nature with Parkbus.
What is Parkbus?
Parkbus is a non-profit organization that offers bus services (and guided hikes through ActiveDays) from major cities to nature where public transportation is not available. They firmly believe that nature should be accessible for all, even if you don’t have the means of reaching the parks on your own.
Parkbus and ActiveDays Toronto primarily connect those living in Toronto and Etobicoke (and nearby surrounding areas) to the trails. Some hikes are self-guided. Bus transportation is included and you’re welcome to explore on your own.
Other hikes are completely guided. You can connect with fellow hikers, learn about your natural surroundings from a knowledgeable guide, and explore the great outdoors together.
Regardless, it’s the perfect way to reach the trails if you don’t have a car or any other means of getting there. Plus, it’s an eco-friendly and sustainable option as you’ll be travelling in a larger group by bus. It only makes sense to experience nature in an environmentally-friendly way.
Parkbus X Greenbelt Foundation Guided Hikes
There are four very special Parkbus fall hiking trips this season. These are in cooperation with the Greenbelt Foundation to celebrate the Greenbelt’s 20th Anniversary.
The Greenbelt has helped fund these trips, and they’re being offered at a reduced rate of $20 per person. It includes transportation and a guided hike. I’ll list these special Greenbelt hikes first, but you’re going to have to be quick. These ones are going to sell out fast!
Rouge National Urban Park (September 14th)
Join Parkbus and the Greenbelt Foundation for a guided trip to Rouge National Urban Park. Your guide is Dave Peace, a conservationist with the Wildlands League. He is an expert on Rouge Park and its diverse ecosystems.
The hike starts at the Glasgow Day Use Area and continues south to the Black Walnut Day Area. The group will enjoy a packed lunch halfway through the day. The bus will drop everyone off at the Glasgow Day Use Area and pick everyone up at the Black Walnut Day Area.
Length of Hike: ~11km
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Guided or Self-Guided: Guided
Bus Pick-up Point: Toronto
Get more information and tickets on the Parkbus booking page
Iroquoia/Dundas (October 11th)
DETAILS COMING SOON
Hamilton Waterfalls (October 13th)
DETAILS COMING SOON
Niagara Wine Tour (October 25th)
DETAILS COMING SOON
Parkbus Fall Hiking Trips
Aside from the Greenbelt Foundation hikes, here is the remaining schedule of Parkbus fall hikes. I’ll list them in order of date. If there are multiple dates, I’ll list them all, along with the booking pages and where to get tickets.
I’ll also be sure to state which trips depart from Toronto and which trips depart from Etobicoke. Both locations are near TTC subway lines (one is at 34 Asquith Ave near Bloor and Yonge, the other is at Kipling Station).
Kipling Station offers free parking on weekends, making it a great choice for those living in the west end, even if you drive in from Mississauga, Oakville, Milton, etc. The Toronto location serves everyone in the city and those living north of Toronto.
Limberlost Forest (September 20th)
Limberlost Forest is a privately owned wilderness property that’s accessible to the public. There are twenty lakes and 10,000 acres of forest with trails to wander and explore. In total, there are 70km of trails for hiking, biking, skiing and snowshoeing.
This guided hike will explore the Solitaire Lake Trail, the Buck Lake Lookout, and other spots with serene Muskoka scenery and brilliant fall colours.
Length of Hike: N/A
Difficulty Rating: Easy to moderate
Guided or Self-Guided: Guided
Bus Pick-up Point: Toronto
Get more information and tickets on the Parkbus booking page
Bruce Peninsula (September 21st)
The Bruce Peninsula is one of the most popular places to go hiking in Ontario and for good reason, the scenery at the Grotto makes you forget you’re in Ontario! There are turquoise waters, rugged cliffs, and unique rock formations.
This self-guided trip with Parkbus will drop you off at Cyprus Lake where you can walk to the Grotto, hike around Cyprus Lake, or continue to explore other trails in the park.
Guided or Self-Guided: Self-Guided
Bus Pick-up Point: Toronto
Get more information and tickets on the Parkbus booking page
Lion’s Head (September 21st)
While Lion’s Head is a stunner any time of the year, it looks even more amazing surrounded by the autumn leaves. This is one of Ontario’s dramatic clifftop trails with magnificent viewpoints at every turn. Admire the twinkling blue waters, ancient rock formations as you walk Canada’s oldest and longest footpath, the Bruce Trail.
Length of Hike: 7km
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Guided or Self-Guided: Guided
Bus Pick-up Point: Toronto
Get more information and tickets on the Parkbus booking page
Point Pelee (September 21st)
Point Pelee National Park is where you’ll find the southernmost tip of mainland Canada. There are also Carolinian forests to hike through, marshes and wetlands, and sandy beaches. This is also where monarch butterflies gather on their route south to Mexico.
Guided or Self-Guided: Self-Guided
Bus Pick-up Point: Toronto
Get more information and tickets on the Parkbus booking page
Algonquin Provincial Park (September 26th, 27th, 28th; October 3rd, 4th, 5th, 11th, 13th, 18th)
Algonquin Provincial Park is one of the most popular places to see the fall colours in Ontario, and it’s also one of the most popular fall hiking trips with Parkbus. For this reason, there are multiple dates, options for guided and self-guided, and pick-up locations in Toronto and Etobicoke.
For the guided trip, you’ll be hiking the legendary Track and Tower Trail. It’s one of the park’s best hikes with panoramic views, breathtaking lookouts, boardwalk trails and rugged pathways.
Algonquin Track and Tower Trips
Length of Hike: 7.5km
Difficulty Rating: Moderate to difficult
Guided or Self-Guided: Guided
Bus Pick-up Point: Toronto (September 27th, October 18th), Etobicoke (October 4th)
Get more information and tickets on the Parkbus booking page (Toronto) & Parkbus booking page (Etobicoke)
Algonquin Self-Guided Trips
Bus Pick-up Point: Toronto (Various Dates)
Bus Drop-off Points: Oxtongue Lake, Wolf Den Bunkhouse, West Gate, Canoe Lake, Lake of Two Rivers Store, Pog Lake, Lake Opeongo
Get more information and tickets on the Parkbus booking page
Elora Gorge (September 27th, October 4th, October 11th)
Choose your own adventure! Go for a hike at the Elora Gorge Conservation Area, go tubing at the Elora Gorge, or spend a day in the village of Elora. There’s a quaint farmer’s market on Saturdays and so many delightful shops and restaurants.
Guided or Self-Guided: Self-Guided
Bus Pick-up Point: Toronto (October 11th), Etobicoke (September 27th, October 4th)
Get more information and tickets on the Parkbus booking page (Toronto) & Parkbus booking page (Etobicoke)
Inglis Falls and Owen Sound (October 4th)
Not only will you experience a beautiful fall hike, but you’ll also get to witness an incredible natural phenomenon, the salmon run in Owen Sound. Watch hundreds of salmon, fighting the current upstream, leaping miraculously over rocks and rapids.
You’ll visit the breathtaking Inglis Falls and then see the salmon run at The Mill Dam, Harrison Park, and the Grey Sauble Arboretum. There are also opportunities to visit the local farmers market and more.
Length of Hike: 3 to 4 hours of walking with stops
Difficulty Rating: Intermediate
Guided or Self-Guided: Guided
Bus Pick-up Point: Toronto
Get more information and tickets on the Parkbus booking page
Bike Tour with Algonquin Outfitters (October 5th)
Here’s a different fall experience, trade in your hiking boots for a bicycle! This bike tour with Algonquin Outfitters includes roundtrip transportation, bicycle and helmet rental, and a guided tour. You’ll ride down the Old Rail Trail, a scenic path that meanders through Algonquin’s forests, lakes, and wetlands.
Guided or Self-Guided: Guided
Bus Pick-up Point: Toronto
Get more information and tickets on the Parkbus booking page
Killarney Provincial Park (October 11th, 13th)
The Crack in Killarney Provincial Park is one of the best Ontario hiking trails, hands down. In fact, it’s one of my most favourite places to hike of all time! Whether you decide to tackle The Crack or one of the other trails at Killarney Provincial Park, like the Chikanishing Trail, you’ll surely have an amazing time.
Guided or Self-Guided: Self-Guided
Bus Pick-up Point: Toronto
Get more information and tickets on the Parkbus booking page
Bruce Peninsula / Lion’s Head (October 12th)
This self-guided journey up to the Bruce Peninsula will allow you to experience either the Lion’s Head hike or the trails of the Bruce Peninsula.
Guided or Self-Guided: Self-Guided
Bus Pick-up Point: Toronto
Get more information and tickets on the Parkbus booking page (select October 12th)
Arrowhead Provincial Park (October 12th)
Arrowhead Provincial Park provides the wow factor that you might be seeking on Ontario hiking trails. There’s an incredible lookout point, a beautiful waterfall, a peaceful lake, and shaded paths through the woods.
Length of Hike:
Difficulty Rating:
Guided or Self-Guided:
Bus Pick-up Point:
Get more information and tickets on the Parkbus booking page **COMING SOON**
Rattlesnake Point (October 18th)
Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area is a beautiful place to go hiking all year long, especially in the fall. Gaze out over a seemingly infinite number of trees boasting shades of red, yellow and orange. Rattlesnake Point offers those spectacular lookout points and forest treks to immerse yourself in nature.
Length of Hike:
Difficulty Rating:
Guided or Self-Guided: Guided
Bus Pick-up Point: Toronto
Get more information and tickets on the Parkbus booking page **COMING SOON**
Nottawasaga Bluffs with Blue Mountain Bruce Trail Club (October 25th)
Nottawasaga Bluffs is a 400-acre conservation area that offers stunning vistas, rugged cliffs, and beautiful countryside views. It’s part of the Bruce Trail, and you can explore the main Bruce Trail and the Betty Carter Side Trail.
Guided or Self-Guided: Guided
Bus Pick-up Point: Toronto
Get more information and tickets on the Parkbus booking page **COMING SOON**
Mountsberg Spooktacular (October 26th)
Mountsberg’s Spooktacular Halloween is an annual family-friendly event at Mountsberg Conservation Area. There’s spooky and haunted fun and opportunities to learn about wildlife and nature. Be sure to wear your Halloween costume, too!
Guided or Self-Guided: Self-Guided
Bus Pick-up Point: Toronto
Get more information and tickets on the Parkbus booking page **COMING SOON**
Want to see what a day trip with Parkbus is like? Take a look at my short video on Instagram showcasing my day trip to Elora with Parkbus!
Have any questions? Please feel free to reach out directly to Parkbus (help@parkbus.ca) or connect with admin and group members on the ActiveDays Ontario Facebook group.
And speaking of Facebook group, I hope you’ve joined ours! With over 127,000 members, this is one of the largest communities for hiking in Ontario! Join the Ontario Hiking Facebook group.