Mono Cliffs Provincial Park is a stunning section of the Niagara Escarpment, just over an hour from the city.Known for its dramatic 30-meter-high cliffs and panoramic views, the park is a geological gem shaped by ancient glaciers and filled with rich biodiversity. You'll find hardwood forests, peaceful ponds, fern-lined crevice trails, and unique plant life that thrives in the park’s cool, shaded valleys.
This is a moderately challenging 11 km hike with one short, steep section that offers big rewards at the top. We’ll hike across open fields, through quiet forest, and along cliff edges that reveal incredible views of the surrounding countryside. Our final destination is Jacob’s Ladder, a wooden staircase that winds through a narrow rock corridor and offers an unforgettable finish to the climb.
This is an easy to moderately challenging 11km hike. The trail is mostly flat and follows well-trodden paths through fields and forest. There are a couple of steeper sections, including a steel staircase, but nothing technical — we’ll take those parts slowly.
The hike should take a total of about 4.5 hours with breaks and time to explore along the way.
Note that while this looks steep, the total elevation gain is relatively modest and the slope chart isn't too aggressive!
7:50 : Meet the bus just outside of Keele Station, on the right when you come out of the station on Keele Street. THE BUS WILL LEAVE AT 08:00 whether you are here or not so you must be there on time.
8:00: Bus leaves
9:30: Meet self-drivers at parking lot
9:30 - 15:30: Hike, stopping for lunch en route
15:30: Return to Toronto
17:00: Anticipated return to Keele subway 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.
Packing list
Have any questions? Ask us on the Discord!
Bring a packed lunch and at least 2L of water. Electrolytes are also very nice for hydration on hot days!
Self drivers will need to book a Daily Vehicle Permit for Mono Cliffs Provincial Park here
You should read all of the instructions in here carefully and make sure you've downloaded and installed the map! It's important that you listen to the guides and follow their instructions at all times.
Hiking injuries: There are a lot of rocks on the trail and it's easy to roll an ankle. Be careful when walking and bring poles if helpful.
Getting lost: All hikers must remain with the group at all times. If you do find yourself lost at any point, stay where you are and call for help. If you have a whistle, bring it.
Trail conditions: Trails conditions are often unpredictable, ensure you're wearing proper footwear with tread and ankle support.
Falling from heights: There are some steep cliffs on this trail, don't get too close to any.
Wildlife: do not approach or feed wildlife.
Mono is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Wendat peoples. These Indigenous communities have a long history in the region, dating back thousands of years.
The Anishinaabe people, also known as the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa, were the first inhabitants of the area. They were semi-nomadic, and their livelihood depended on hunting, fishing, and gathering. They had a deep understanding of the land and its resources, and their culture was centered around a respect for nature and the natural world.
In the early 17th century, the Haudenosaunee people, also known as the Iroquois Confederacy, began to move into the region, displacing some of the Anishinaabe communities. The Haudenosaunee were also semi-nomadic, and their culture was based on agriculture, hunting, and fishing. They had a sophisticated political and social system and were known for their longhouses and wampum belts.
In the mid-17th century, the Wendat people, also known as the Huron, were forced to flee their homeland in what is now the Georgian Bay area due to conflicts with the Haudenosaunee. Some of these Wendat refugees settled in the area, where they established new communities.
Over time, the Indigenous communities were impacted by European colonization and settlement, including the imposition of residential schools and the loss of land and resources. Today, there are ongoing efforts to reclaim Indigenous knowledge, language, and culture and to work towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Canada.
Mono Cliffs Provincial Park is a stunning section of the Niagara Escarpment, just over an hour from the city.Known for its dramatic 30-meter-high cliffs and panoramic views, the park is a geological gem shaped by ancient glaciers and filled with rich biodiversity. You'll find hardwood forests, peaceful ponds, fern-lined crevice trails, and unique plant life that thrives in the park’s cool, shaded valleys.
This is a moderately challenging 11 km hike with one short, steep section that offers big rewards at the top. We’ll hike across open fields, through quiet forest, and along cliff edges that reveal incredible views of the surrounding countryside. Our final destination is Jacob’s Ladder, a wooden staircase that winds through a narrow rock corridor and offers an unforgettable finish to the climb.
This is an easy to moderately challenging 11km hike. The trail is mostly flat and follows well-trodden paths through fields and forest. There are a couple of steeper sections, including a steel staircase, but nothing technical — we’ll take those parts slowly.
The hike should take a total of about 4.5 hours with breaks and time to explore along the way.
Note that while this looks steep, the total elevation gain is relatively modest and the slope chart isn't too aggressive!
7:50 : Meet the bus just outside of Keele Station, on the right when you come out of the station on Keele Street. THE BUS WILL LEAVE AT 08:00 whether you are here or not so you must be there on time.
8:00: Bus leaves
9:30: Meet self-drivers at parking lot
9:30 - 15:30: Hike, stopping for lunch en route
15:30: Return to Toronto
17:00: Anticipated return to Keele subway 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.
Packing list
Have any questions? Ask us on the Discord!
Bring a packed lunch and at least 2L of water. Electrolytes are also very nice for hydration on hot days!
Self drivers will need to book a Daily Vehicle Permit for Mono Cliffs Provincial Park here
You should read all of the instructions in here carefully and make sure you've downloaded and installed the map! It's important that you listen to the guides and follow their instructions at all times.
Hiking injuries: There are a lot of rocks on the trail and it's easy to roll an ankle. Be careful when walking and bring poles if helpful.
Getting lost: All hikers must remain with the group at all times. If you do find yourself lost at any point, stay where you are and call for help. If you have a whistle, bring it.
Trail conditions: Trails conditions are often unpredictable, ensure you're wearing proper footwear with tread and ankle support.
Falling from heights: There are some steep cliffs on this trail, don't get too close to any.
Wildlife: do not approach or feed wildlife.
Mono is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Wendat peoples. These Indigenous communities have a long history in the region, dating back thousands of years.
The Anishinaabe people, also known as the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa, were the first inhabitants of the area. They were semi-nomadic, and their livelihood depended on hunting, fishing, and gathering. They had a deep understanding of the land and its resources, and their culture was centered around a respect for nature and the natural world.
In the early 17th century, the Haudenosaunee people, also known as the Iroquois Confederacy, began to move into the region, displacing some of the Anishinaabe communities. The Haudenosaunee were also semi-nomadic, and their culture was based on agriculture, hunting, and fishing. They had a sophisticated political and social system and were known for their longhouses and wampum belts.
In the mid-17th century, the Wendat people, also known as the Huron, were forced to flee their homeland in what is now the Georgian Bay area due to conflicts with the Haudenosaunee. Some of these Wendat refugees settled in the area, where they established new communities.
Over time, the Indigenous communities were impacted by European colonization and settlement, including the imposition of residential schools and the loss of land and resources. Today, there are ongoing efforts to reclaim Indigenous knowledge, language, and culture and to work towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Canada.
