We’ll kick off our trip with a visit to the beautiful Huron Natural Area, a 264-acre haven in Kitchener, featuring forests, wetlands, meadows, and creeks. Here, we'll enjoy a leisurely 5 km hike, immersing ourselves in nature. Once we've stretched our muscles, we'll head over to the Kitchener Christkindl Market, renowned as one of the best in Ontario. It’s the perfect spot to shop for unique gifts, explore charming stalls, and sample delicious seasonal treats and drinks. We may even have a sighting of Santa while there.
After everyone has explored to their heart's content, we’ll return to Toronto, filled with festive cheer and joy.
Hike Length: 5km
Terrain: Mostly flat over compressed soil and roots on well established paths. We'll be going at a leisurely pace.
Estimated time to complete: 2 hours with breaks and exploration time.
09:50: Those going from Keele meet up at the Petro-Canada gas station next to Keele Subway.
10:00- Van leaves. Please note that we'll be leaving dead on time and don't wait for latecomers so please be on time!
11:30 - Arrive at car park and trail head, meeting anybody who’s making their own way. (801 Trillium Dr, Kitchener, ON N2R 1K4) Self drivers - please ensure you're on time as we can't wait for latecomers.
11:30: Begin hike. We will stop for lunch on route, people can also buy food at the market afterwards.
13:30: Wrap up hike and arrive back at trail-head.
13:30-14:00: Drive to Kitchener City Hall - There is parking on Charles Street W nearby if needed
14:00 - 16:00: Spend time walking around the market and enjoying Kitchener.
16:00 - 18:00: return to Toronto.
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
Winter clothing
The key for winter hiking is to have breathable layers that allow you to adjust your temperature as you start to heat up or cool down. The biggest problem you're likely to encounter is actually getting too hot - the amount of exercise you're doing means you'll warm up quickly and it's important that you vent your clothes before you start sweating because that will only make you colder once you stop.
Pay attention to your fabrics - there's a saying that cotton kills because it keeps moisture and makes you colder. Instead, go for breathable fabrics, like athletic wear or wool. Wool has the advantage of keeping you warm when it's wet but cheap polyester running gear is just fine. We've put together a simple guide to layering on our instagram.
A common mistake is to bring your heavy winter coat that you'd wear in the city - this will become very uncomfortable very quickly. If you'd like advice on what coat is suitable, we'll give you recommendations no matter your budget.
Because clothing becomes a safety issue in winter, it's particularly important that you're dress appropriately and follow these guidelines. If you turn up in clothes that could put you at risk we may have to turn you away. As always, ask us in advance if you'd like any advice, we'll be delighted to help!
Shoes
You should be switching to proper hiking boots once the snow has started. If the snow is really deep, you can wear a proper winter boot that goes above the ankle but this isn't essential, especially if you have gaiters. These go over your shoe to prevent snow coming in. Trainers and city boots are really not suitable because they won't have sufficient grip.
There's a good chance your feet are going to get wet, either through snow ingress or sweat so you should always pack a spare pair of socks when winter hiking.
Winter Hiking packing list
Have any questions? Ask us on the Discord! Members who turn up dressed in a way that puts themselves at risk will not be able to join us.
Grab breakfast before you go. There's a Tims around the corner from our meet-up point.
Bring a packed lunch, snacks, and at least a litre of water for the hike. If you can wait until 2 p.m., you can also buy food at the Market.
Hiking injuries - Wear appropriate footwear hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles.
Cold exposure - Ensure that you've brought the clothing outlined above so you're comfortable.
Getting lost - Stay with the group at all times to avoid getting lost. You should also download the map in advance to your phone. If you do find your lost, stay where you are until you've been located. There should be cell phone reception where we're going.
We like to share some of the indigenous background of the areas we visit because these territories have rich histories that are easy to overlook. Indigenous communities have a connection to and respect for the land that has largely been lost since European settlement. As we strive to form a deeper connection with the land, we have much to learn from these communities. I use the Native Land map to learn more about these areas and find that developing a richer understanding leads to a greater enjoyment of the adventures.
The Huron Natural Area, located in Kitchener, sits within the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, specifically the Six Nations of the Grand River, which is just south of the city. The area was once part of a larger network of lands used by Indigenous peoples for hunting, fishing, gathering, and farming. The Huron-Wendat Nation, from whom the region takes its name, were historically present in this area before their displacement by European settlers.
Kitchener itself, originally known as "Berlin," was built on lands traditionally inhabited by the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Anishinaabe peoples, including the Algonquin and Ojibwe groups. With the arrival of European settlers in the early 19th century, the region saw an influx of settlers displacing Indigenous communities. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, the British Crown signed land treaties with the Indigenous nations, such as the Haldimand Tract in 1784, which granted land to the Six Nations in exchange for their loyalty during the American Revolution. Despite these agreements, Indigenous peoples were increasingly pushed off their lands as settlers expanded. Today, the Six Nations of the Grand River, which is Canada’s most populous First Nations community, remains connected to the land around Kitchener, and efforts toward reconciliation and recognition of Indigenous rights continue in the region.
