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THE SITE: The trail begins near the zoo entrance at Pearse House where it enters Canada’s largest urban park at 4,500 hectares. Fortunately the Rouge lands avoided development that afflicted other areas such as the Don and the Humber when the provincial government designated the area as a greenbelt for its proposed Pickering airport in the 70s. The Rouge lands, still in their natural state, were designated a national park in 1990.
THE HIKE: At the Pearse House, a large map outlines the trails of the Rouge River Valley. From this point, the trail crosses the front of the house, through the yard fence and veers left into the brush. Very shortly the trail leaves the wooded area yielding a spectacular view looking down into the Rouge River Valley and the Little Rouge River below. A tree hangs precariously to the top of this cliff. The trail follows the top of the tablelands along the cliff edge and across meadow areas.
 Coming to the forested area and a “Y” in the path, stay right on the high road. At the second “Y” you have a choice. Staying right leads downhill and to a third “Y” where you should stay right coming down to Twin Rivers Drive. Turn right, cross the road and walk along the road until you come to a turn in the road and a sign marking the southern Riverside Trail and  head south along the trail. Chosing the smaller left path above leads to a cliff edge with a great view of the Rouge River but requires a rather steep descent to Twin Rivers Drive and the bridge across the river. Don’t cross the bridge, but cross the road and follow the trail along the riverbank of the Rouge River. Near the railing collapse due to the May storm of 2000, the two choices above come together on the Riverside Trail.
 You will notice a real difference between the north and south slopes of the river valleys, each with their own microclimates. The dry, hot south-facing slopes are home to sun-loving and drought-resistant oak and pine trees along with some other Carolinian species.. On the colder, damper north slopes there are many sugar maples and hemlocks normally found further north.
A short ways further on, a side river trail veers off to the right to follow the river  bank for a bit until rejoining the main trail. In time you will see a campground across the river to your right. Cross the river at the bridge and walk on the paved areas trhough the campgound past the parking lot. Do not linger in the campground as this is private property. Near the last parking spot, by looking carefully, you will find a trail leading uphill to the top of the tableland and a meadow with small shrub. This comes out of the brush near the housing development and ahead is Kingston Road. Walking along the sidewalk you will find a stoplight and a McDonalds/Subway across the street.
 Retrace your steps back through the campground, cross the bridge, and head back north. At the “Y” go right along the trail that will climb to the top of the tablelands and follow the well marked trail. When you come to a 4-way intersection choose the path that goes straight ahead. In the forest pines there is a great lookout point to your right. Go back to the path and head downhill. Turn left at the bottom of the hill to once again meet Twin Rivers Drive. Turn right and cross the bridge. Here you may either follow the less clearly marked trail along the Little Rouge River or walk a bit further to the marked Orchard Trail. The trail climbs affording some great river views.
Upon arriving at a rocky intersection turn right going downhill. Eventually you wil l come to a small side trail to your right just before a steep long climb. This is a natural bog area that you will enjoy investigating and listening to the many sounds of the wildlife in the bog -if you can remain very silent. This is a sensitive area so please respect the area and leave it as you found it. Retuning to the trail and climbing the slope brings you to the main road. Turn left walk down the road, cross the bridge, and then climb the road to the fence and the Pearse House to end the hike.
Enjoy the hike and the day.
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