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START Lat/Long

N43.890540
W079.751664

LAST HIKED:

08 Oct 2004

HIKE LENGTH:

about 26 km

TOTAL ASCENT:

575 m

FEE:

none

RATING:

Intermediate-advanced; somewhat hilly and long

TIME:

7 h

TERRAIN:

A series of climbs with many long flat areas through some very beautiful countryside. Some road walking required to complete the loop but the roads used are not busy. Many bridges to cross over the numerous streams in the area. The rolling topography is typical of the Oak Ridges Moraine landscape.

LUNCH SPOT:

At any of the interesting spots along the way.

FACILITIES:

none

THE SITE:

The hike begins at the southern start of the Humber Valley Heritage Trail just north of Bolton at the inrtersection of Hwy 50 and Columbia Way. We follow this trail all the way up to and through Albion Hills arriving at Humber Station Road. To make a loop of the hike, we then follow Humber Station Road and Castlederg Sideroad before reconnecting with the Humber Valley Heritage Trail. Neither of these roads are busy. A long hike but very interesting with much to see and enjoy along the way.

WAYPOINT
INTERVAL

DISTANCE
km

WAYPOINT-TO-WAYPOINT TRAIL DESCRIPTION

001 - 002

2.8

Leaving the Caledon Centre parking lot walk in front of the Centre down a dirt roadway parallel to the highway that descends to a culvert and back up to the stoplights at Columbia Way. Cross HWY 50 and walk along the southern perimeter of the Caledon Yards. A sign marks the Humber Valley Heritage Trail along with a welcome message sign and map. The trail passes to the right of a stand of pine trees beside the southern border of the Caledon Yards and heads west. Cross the stile over a fence where there is a good lookout of the surrounding hills and the valley below and then follow the trail to the left downhill. The narrow grassy path passes an open meadow looking at the valley to the right below past a sea of Queen Anne’s Lace. The trail comes close to the ravine edge and begins a descent down a dirt path with logs providing erosion control. Partway down there is a T-intersection but continue straight ahead on the main trail which then curves right past an area of dense cedar where it comes to a junction. Continue straight ahead downhill through an area of dense undergrowth and cross the single-sided wooden bridge over the stream. The trail now climbs a series of log planks turning to the right at the top past a post marked 13.28 HVHTA. Turn left here and go up the ravine on another set of log steps. The trail continues to climb through a series of trail backs coming to a Bruce Trail marker indicating the trail goes right. Here there is a good view of the valley below. The narrow dirt path passes through a relatively young deciduous forest and then follows the edge of the ravine past an open meadow area laced with more Queen Anne’s Lace and passes another HVHTA trail marker. Passing an area of mixed growth on the grassy path, a rusty fence is visible on the left and the path becomes more of a dirt path and opens up into another meadow area with great views of the valley below on the left. A train whistle can be heard in the distance but the train remains hidden in the folds of the trees as we continue on the winding trail down a slope past a stand of large trees on the left-hand side as we head towards Duffy’s Lane. Crossing a wooden platform over a wet area, the trail winds through an area of mixed growth as it descends past a large tree on the left and crossing another wooden plank bridge over a dry creek bed before continuing uphill into an open farm field area on the right. The trail arrives at a paved road - Duffy’s Lane (002).

002 - 003

6.4

Across the road there is another HVHTA marker and a trail map. (This area from (002) - (004) is an environmentally sensitive area and hikers are urged to stay on the trails.) The trail now winds through a pine forest with very tall tree trunks almost devoid of vegetation below. Through the pine trees to the left can be seen the valley below full of deciduous trees beginning to change colour in early October. After a long descent along an eroding dirt trail  the path curves right crossing a single sided wooden bridge over a metal culvert and a dry stream. Crossing a few more wooden plank areas the trail continues through an open meadow following the Main Bruce Trail white markers where a Scarlet Tanager is seen darting overhead. The hoof marks of white tail deer can be seen in the area. There is a long descent down a steep dirt trail which could be treacherous under wet conditions and swings left through an area of tall weed growth including more Queen Anne’s Lace. The trail swing right and then descends via a series of log berms to part way down the slope and then continues along the mid level of the slope where a large pond can be seen below to the left. The trail descends more and then climbs back up the other side of the ravine. Climbing another set of log steps, the trail continues along the crest of a ravine. Descending by a series of log and earth steps, the trail descends into a ravine and then climbs another set of log steps into the forest. The trail skirts the corner of a farmer’s field and continues for some distance along the edge of the field past a snaking cedar rail fence. After crossing a stile, the trail now arrives at Castlederg Road (003). Just south of the intersection of the Humber River and Castlederg Road, you are standing on floodplain.

003 - 004

9.2

 The trail continues across the road 150 m to the left just past the concrete bridge (Humber Glen Bridge) and over another stile. Entering the woods again we cross a single sided wooden plank bridge over a creek and continue alongside the Humber River on the right. After skirting along the edge of another farmer’s field, the trail swings back into the woods passing a small birdhouse through an area of shrubby brush that appears to be an old abandoned orchard. Crossing a number of small bridges the trail climbs a slope and passes through a picturesque tunnel of young overhanging pine branches. The trail passes by another farmer’s field before entering the woods and travelling parallel to the long field. A huge Spruce tree overlooking  the remains of a house with only the chimney left standing comes into view before the path crosses a single-sided wooden plank bridge across the dry riverbed. The trail emerges to a dirt and gravel and grass roadway with the white blazes indicating a right turn here. Past a wooden stile over a fence, a wet area with wooden planks is encountered before crossing a single-sided wooden plank bridge. A whole series of wooden plank boardwalks and bridges are located here along the banks of the Humber River. Ostrich fern can be seen in the area. The trail comes to the northern part of Duffy’s Lane and goes left along the roadway (004).

004 - 005

10.9

Continue along Duffy’s Lane to Old Church Road (005).

005 - 006

14.1

Cross Old Church Road and continue straight ahead through a wet section with a wooden boardwalk. The trail passes a wetlands bog area on the right before climbing a slope back into the woods. Descending from this hill we pass another swampy boggy area on the left filled with reeds and bullrushes and other aquatic plants. Many beaver make their home here and all along the Humber River. Ahead is a sign post indicating user fees apply. Continue straight ahead. Another sign soon appears indicating no motorized vehicles with the Bruce Trail going off to the left but the Humber Valley Heritage Trail continues straight ahead following the black arrow into the Albion Hills CA. Here much replanting of conifer species such as Sugar Maple, White Ash, Yellow Birch and American Beech has been undertaken. Turn left at intersection 2SE28WJ with blue and yellow arrows pointing left. Follow the yellow blue red markers on the white-blazed main Bruce Trail. At the T-intersection, you will see what is left of an HVHTA post and continue to follow the Bruce Trail by turning right. At the next intersection there is grassy path off to the right and a gravel path down to the left. Take the trail to the left as indicated by the red arrow. We arrive at a two sided wooden bridge over Centreville Creek which is a spring-fed tributary of the Humber River. Over the bridge, the HVHTA and Bruce Trail continues straight ahead up the grassy hill. At  the top of the hill, the trail skirts a cornfield on the left and passes an old run down wooden barn before coming out to a farm road (006). Turn left along this farm road that soon arrives at Humber Station Road.

006 - 007

15.8

 Turn left on Humber Station Road which passes Old Church Road at (007).

007 - 008

19.0

Continue straight ahead along Humber Station Road. This road crosses the railway tracks and on the right you will see the grounds of Humberview Farms. At Castlederg Road (008) turn left.

008 - 003

19.9

Follow Castelderg Road back to waypoint (003)

003 - 002

23.6

 Retrace your steps back from waypoint (003) to waypoint (002)

002 - 001

26.3

From waypoint (002) return back to the starting point (001).
Enjoy the hike and the day.