Pretty Channel is a rare spot of Crown Land within 2hrs of Toronto. It’s a patch of real wilderness, right at the start of the Canadian Shield and it’s obvious why it’s called pretty. This is a harder hike just because of how unmaintained the trails are and recent weather means conditions under foot are unpredictable .
We’ll cross over from ATV trails into thick bush before we trace a path along the shoreline that leads us along the river and past rapids. The return traces a surreal path under electricity towers and ultimately brings us back to a National Historic Site - the only marine railway in North America. It’s as weird as it sounds…
Hike length: 9km
Hike pace: We’ll likely average around 2.5km/h but with breaks along the way
Terrain: While the elevation isn’t extreme, it’s likely to be extremely slushy under foot with ice in patches. At some points we’ll be off-trail and bush-bashing and we’ll need to keep an eye out for streams.
Estimated time to complete: 4 hours (with breaks and exploration time)
08:20: Meet atthe Petro Canada gas station next to Keele Subway if you’re getting a lift. (There’s a Tim’s round the corner if you want to grab coffee/food). There’s ample parking on Keele. We leave dead on 08:30.
We can’t wait for latecomers so don’t be late!
10:30: Arrive at the parking lot, opposite the Big Chute Marine Railway
10:30-15:00: Pretty Channel Hike
15:00-16:00: Check out the marine railway and ferocious rapids nearby
18:00: Anticipated return to 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.
Snacks
Pack a few snacks to stay fueled up throughout the day
Lunch
Pack a lunch to eat along the way. We’ll stop at the viewpoint for lunch mid-hike
Fluids
Bring a 1L water bottle. You may also want to bring a hot-drink.
We'll be providing ice spikes for anyone who requested them,
This is a wilderness hike that involves some dangers that you should be aware of and prepare for as best you can. We’ll be out of cell-phone reception at points during this hike.
The most important thing is that you tell the hike leader if you’re uncomfortable with any aspect so this can be accommodated.
Hiking injuries - Wear appropriate footwear (ankle high hiking or snow boots) and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles. Ice spikes are supplied for those who’ve requested them. Wear them if advised to!
Rapids - There is extremely fast moving water in the area so it’s important that you keep away from the shoreline
Ice - Ice pack is very thin at this point so it’s important that you keep away from any bodies of water
Wildlife - In the unlikely event you see a large animal, give them plenty of space, alert the group and back away.
Getting lost - You should stick with the group at all times and let the leader know if you need to break off for a bathroom break. Download the offline map to your phone in advance along with the What3Words app.
The area has an Indigenous history that dates back thousands of years. The land on which Pretty Channel stands is situated is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe people, including the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations. These Nations have lived in the region for generations and continue to do so today.
In the 1600s, European fur traders began to arrive in the region.The fur trade led to the establishment of trading posts and the development of new relationships between the Anishinaabe and Europeans.
In the early 1800s, the British government signed treaties with the Anishinaabe that established their rights to hunt, fish, and gather on their traditional territories and laid the groundwork for the settlement of the region by non-Indigenous peoples.
Today, they are represented by the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, the Beausoleil First Nation, and the Georgina Island First Nation. These communities continue to maintain their traditional connections to the land and waters of the region and work to preserve and protect their culture and heritage for future generations.
