Iroquoia Section - Guelph Line (82.6 km) to Grindstone Falls (71.2 km) - Nov. 20, 2025.

 Iroquoia Section: Guelph Line (82.6 km) to Grindstone Falls (71.2 km) - Nov. 20, 2025.

Hiking With Friends visited their proverbial "backyard" this week in the Iroquoia Section and took on what amounts to two really nice hikes divided by an "urban stroll"...the 14 km or so we covered was a thoroughly enjoyable trip spent together on a quite pleasant November morning...

Having negotiated the always sketchy roadside parking situation on Guelph Line and acknowledging that we weren't in contravention of the abundant proclamations posted at the boardwalk entrance, we assemble the 15 of us and, facing the warmth of the rising sun, welcome myself, Frances, Andrea, Annette, Barbara (H.C), Faryde, Donna, Ivan, Diane, Sandra, Nancy, Ron, Rita, Steve, and (not quite in the frame as I was blinded, sorry) Lesley...time to head out...

Perhaps it's because I haven't done this particular stretch of trail for a while and I'd forgotten, or a prejudice developed over time that, because of its proximity to such a large urban/industrial area, this part of the Bruce Trail can't begin to offer what more northerly areas can, but I am struck by what a good hiking spot this is...with some decent hills and varied terrain...and so close to home!

The fact that we have been blessed with a perfect hiking day does help ramp up the appreciation factor...and the denuded forest not only provides excellent vistas, but also allows the brilliant sunshine to arrow through...

One of the more iconic lookouts on the BT is here at Trail Workers Rest...this is where the juxtaposition of nature vs. urban growth is so evident...a strikingly peaceful and beautiful spot overlooking one of the largest and densest urban environments in Canada...

 Our arrival at Fisher's Pond means that we are passing through an 86 acre BTC Protected Natural Area secured in 2019...

Once you see this wooden mailbox truck actually parked in the driveway, you cannot un-see it...I had no illusions of taking such a shot, but here we are...travelling through this small residential enclave on Highview Drive...

The zip tied blazes speak for themselves...the noisy, concrete and pavement stretch of Cedar Springs Drive and Brandt Street is not the Bruce Trail's finest moment...but it's a chance to stretch the legs, look up, and walk abreast for a couple of klicks...

 And there is the opportunity, after reaching newly incorporated because of the reroute, Mansfield Park, to see some new forest trail...before merging back on the original track before Kerncliff Park...and the more recently created City View Park...

Our intention was to have our refreshment break inside the pavilion, where this very nice graphic hangs on the wall, but the room was closed today for a meeting, so we opted for benches in the sunshine...

This moment captures a bunch of friends hiking and enjoying each other's company (or we are about to practice a pole ceremony?)...it's been a great day so far and we're just a few kilometers from the finish...

There's just a bit more neighbourhood to traverse near Mountain Brow Road, a quick bridge photo in the woods, and then it's an open stretch "down to Waterdown" Road and the dropped cars at Grindstone Falls...

It's been four hours and 20 minutes of hiking and we've enjoyed every step and moment spent together (other than a few of those hills)...it appears from my return to the group after a few weeks and a certain article being published, that our new found fame has not changed anyone one bit, and that suits me just fine...same old HWF doing what we do best...and you can print that!

The End

A very Happy 80th Birthday to Marleen, who thought it would be hip to have a trip just before her special day so we had to sing for her in absentia...HWF sends you our best wishes for a speedy recovery! The Bruce Trail awaits your return...