This is a relatively easy hike in a beautiful spot, just a short distance from the city. We’ll be walking through peaceful forests, navigating some hills, crossing bridges, and stopping for a lunch break with stunning snowy views of the area. The Hockley route takes us along parts of the famous Bruce Trail, a long-distance path that stretches all the way from Toronto to Tobermory if you follow it the entire way.
We have a few distance options depending on how everyone’s feeling, with the total likely ranging from 10 km to 14 km. We’ll be moving at a relaxed pace of around 2.5 km/hr, and we’ll see how the snow affects our speed and everyone’s energy along the way.
Afterward, we’ll head over to the charming Adamo Estate Winery, where you can enjoy a glass of wine or another beverage before we drive back to Toronto—warm, happy, and tired after a full day of adventure.
Hike Length: 10-14km
Terrain: Well trodden paths alongside fields, through the woods, orchards and over some pretty streams. There are a couple of steeper sections that we can take slowly.
Estimated time to complete: 4-5 hours with breaks and exploration time.
6:50 - Meet at the Petro Canada near Keele Station
7:00 - Leave from Petro Canada. Please note that we leave dead on 7am and can't wait for latecomers.
8:15 - Arrive at Trail head at Hockley Valley PNR / Bruce Trail parking. Do not be late! Fair warning, the van may end up being a few minutes late but self-drivers shouldn't come later than the van or they won't be able to join the hike.
15:30 - Return back to the Parking lot
15:45 - Arrive at Adamo Estate winery for a glass of wine and beautiful views of the Vineyard
16:30 - Leave the Adamo Estate and head back to Toronto
18:30 - Arrive back at Keele station
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.
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.Traction
You're going to find that you move more slowly and spend more effort hiking in the snow so we tend to hike shorter distances. From first snowfall you should always bring ice spikes with you.
The Kahtoola Exospikes are a great option if you have the budget, otherwise Amazon has plenty of cheaper options. You rarely need snowshoes unless the snow is really deep and powdery and hiking with them usually requires even more energy.
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.
Drinks and food at the winery are not provided by Wilderness Union
No reservations required
Hiking injuries - Wear appropriate footwear, ice spikes and 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
Hockley falls within the traditional territories of several indigenous peoples, including the Anishinaabe (specifically the Ojibwe and Odawa) and the Haudenosaunee (also known as the Iroquois Confederacy).
Before European colonization, indigenous peoples inhabited the Hockley Valley area and had established thriving communities. They had deep connections to the land, relying on its resources for sustenance, trade, and cultural practices. The valley provided a diverse range of ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, and rivers, which offered ample hunting, fishing, and gathering opportunities.
Indigenous communities in the region had sophisticated social structures, governance systems, and spiritual beliefs. They practiced sustainable land management techniques, such as controlled burns, to maintain the health of the environment and promote the growth of desired plant species. These communities had a profound respect for nature and a close relationship with the land.
With the arrival of European settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries, indigenous peoples' lives and cultures were profoundly disrupted. The impacts of colonization, including forced relocations, the spread of diseases, and the loss of land and resources, significantly affected the indigenous populations of the region.
Today, indigenous peoples continue to maintain their cultural heritage and connections to the land in the Hockley Valley area and beyond. Efforts are being made to preserve indigenous languages, traditional practices, and knowledge systems, as well as to foster understanding and collaboration between indigenous and non-indigenous communities. These initiatives recognize the importance of indigenous history and culture and seek to promote reconciliation and respect for indigenous rights.
