For this secret hike, we're visiting Pretty Channel - 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...
Distance: 9km
Terrain: Relatively flat but easy to get off trail. There may be snow along the route, potentially making the hike more challenging.
Estimated time to complete: 4.5 hours
Secret Location
This is one of Wilderness Union's 'secret' hikes. As a group, we visit some truly special spots that are undiscovered by the wider world. We like to keep them pristine and only share them among our members and ask that you do the same!
07:50 - Meet at the PetroCanada next to Keele Subway station
08:00 - Transport leaves. Please note that transport leaves dead on time and we're unable to wait for, or refund, any latecomers.
08:00 - 10:00 - Drive to Big Chute Parking Lot, opposite Little Chute Lane where we'll meet self-drivers
10:00 - 14:30 - Begin hike. We'll eat lunch en route
14:30 - 16:30 - Return journey 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.
Shoes
Hiking boots are highly recommended, ideally ones with high ankle support to prevent injuries.
Blaze/Hunter Orange (highly encouraged)
Hunting is a fact of life in winter in many of the places we visit. Most of this activity occurs far away from where we'll be hiking but out of an abundance of caution, you should always bring some blaze or 'hunter' orange clothing with you. This ensures that you are visible and prevents any (already incredibly unlikely) accidents from occurring.
Don't have something suitable? We have Wilderness Union branded hats that you can purchase and pick up on the day!
Winter Hiking packing list
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: Wear appropriate footwear (ankle high hiking boots) and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles.
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 may be muddy or icy, ensure you're wearing proper footwear with tread and ankle support. If it's below zero, you should have ice spikes.
Falling from heights: There are some steep cliffs on this trail, don't get too close to any.
Wildlife: Bears and moose are not uncommon around this area. If you come across a larger animal, back away and alert the group. Your guide will give you further instructions.
Water danger - Stay away from fast moving water and never step on what looks like ice unless a guide has explicitly said that it's safe.
Hypothermia - Make sure that you're dressed appropriately for the weather.
Hunting - We're visiting during hunting season so it's essential that you bring some blaze orange (hunter orange) clothing. You can purchase a suitable hat from Wilderness Union here!
All of the areas we visit across Ontario are situated on lands with deep histories and ongoing connections to Indigenous Nations, whose mutual relationships date back to time immemorial. Often rooted in a deep respect for the land, these predate European colonization and offer values that we strive to follow.
At Wilderness Union, we recognize that being on these lands carries a responsibility to learn and reflect. We use the Native Land map to better understand the territories we explore. We’ve found that a deeper understanding of the land’s history leads to a more robust appreciation of our time in nature and a change to how we behave in it. We strongly encourage you to take a moment to explore the resources available on that site- there is a ton of fantastic information.
For this adventure specifically, we’ll be trekking through areas near Severn. These areas are on the traditional territory of the Ojibway (or Chippewas) peoples. This territory is covered by Lake Simcoe Treaty 16 and the J. Collins land purchase.
For this secret hike, we're visiting Pretty Channel - 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...
Distance: 9km
Terrain: Relatively flat but easy to get off trail. There may be snow along the route, potentially making the hike more challenging.
Estimated time to complete: 4.5 hours
Secret Location
This is one of Wilderness Union's 'secret' hikes. As a group, we visit some truly special spots that are undiscovered by the wider world. We like to keep them pristine and only share them among our members and ask that you do the same!
07:50 - Meet at the PetroCanada next to Keele Subway station
08:00 - Transport leaves. Please note that transport leaves dead on time and we're unable to wait for, or refund, any latecomers.
08:00 - 10:00 - Drive to Big Chute Parking Lot, opposite Little Chute Lane where we'll meet self-drivers
10:00 - 14:30 - Begin hike. We'll eat lunch en route
14:30 - 16:30 - Return journey 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.
Shoes
Hiking boots are highly recommended, ideally ones with high ankle support to prevent injuries.
Blaze/Hunter Orange (highly encouraged)
Hunting is a fact of life in winter in many of the places we visit. Most of this activity occurs far away from where we'll be hiking but out of an abundance of caution, you should always bring some blaze or 'hunter' orange clothing with you. This ensures that you are visible and prevents any (already incredibly unlikely) accidents from occurring.
Don't have something suitable? We have Wilderness Union branded hats that you can purchase and pick up on the day!
Winter Hiking packing list
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: Wear appropriate footwear (ankle high hiking boots) and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles.
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 may be muddy or icy, ensure you're wearing proper footwear with tread and ankle support. If it's below zero, you should have ice spikes.
Falling from heights: There are some steep cliffs on this trail, don't get too close to any.
Wildlife: Bears and moose are not uncommon around this area. If you come across a larger animal, back away and alert the group. Your guide will give you further instructions.
Water danger - Stay away from fast moving water and never step on what looks like ice unless a guide has explicitly said that it's safe.
Hypothermia - Make sure that you're dressed appropriately for the weather.
Hunting - We're visiting during hunting season so it's essential that you bring some blaze orange (hunter orange) clothing. You can purchase a suitable hat from Wilderness Union here!
All of the areas we visit across Ontario are situated on lands with deep histories and ongoing connections to Indigenous Nations, whose mutual relationships date back to time immemorial. Often rooted in a deep respect for the land, these predate European colonization and offer values that we strive to follow.
At Wilderness Union, we recognize that being on these lands carries a responsibility to learn and reflect. We use the Native Land map to better understand the territories we explore. We’ve found that a deeper understanding of the land’s history leads to a more robust appreciation of our time in nature and a change to how we behave in it. We strongly encourage you to take a moment to explore the resources available on that site- there is a ton of fantastic information.
For this adventure specifically, we’ll be trekking through areas near Severn. These areas are on the traditional territory of the Ojibway (or Chippewas) peoples. This territory is covered by Lake Simcoe Treaty 16 and the J. Collins land purchase.
