When I was growing up, my family never went camping, canoeing, or hiking. That wasn’t part of the South Asian-Canadian experience. Sure, once in a blue moon our family and a whole caravan of family friends from the community would travel a few hours to a provincial or national park, we would find an open space for a picnic, the parents would start the grill and chat away, while we kids would make up a game to play. It was pretty cool to do things as a community like that. As evening came we would clean up and head back home… But never-ever would we venture for a hike, let alone stay the night and camp. Other people did that, while brown people – or at least the ones I knew - just didn’t do that sort of stuff. As the years passed, I shared in the experiences of people of other cultures in their relationship to the natural world. I learnt about hiking when I was in my 20s and since then I have found walking in a forest, along a mountain trail, or in fields of wild flowers to be some of the most joyous moments of life.
A few weeks ago I went for an adventure to discover the wilderness of the Rouge Valley in east Toronto. While I was there I forgot that I was actually in Toronto because the city that I am more familiar with is mostly a concrete jungle. And so you can understand my surprise to be one moment in between the craziness of Toronto’s morning commute to suddenly being in a place of majesty, beauty, and serenity. I cannot encourage you enough to discover the Rouge Valley for yourself, especially if you live just nearby. In general, places of wilderness are not accessible if you do not have a car and some people do not get exposure to such experiences. What is unique about the Rouge Valley is that it is in Toronto and accessible via public transportation! Follow me on my hike through the photos below…
From Kennedy subway station I took the 86A bus, which goes to the Toronto Zoo. I got off at Park Rd. and Meadovale Rd., this is the stop just before the Toronto Zoo. Alternatively you can take the 85 Sheppard East bus. Check the TTC for bus schedules and routes. If you take a right onto Park Rd. you will soon see the Rouge Valley Conservation Centre (Pearse House).
Enter the site, go past the heritage building, and continue by following the signs for the hiking trail.
Walking in the meadows filled with the yellows of daisies and pinks of milkweeds, I saw birds emerge from the fields as if they were playing and dancing. It was as though they found freedom in this place of wilderness.
Along the journey I was awed by this view of the Rouge River.
Continuing further south, the trail leads to a trail through a forest. I could hear a woodpecker tapping a tree in the distance.
I was reminded on occasion that the urban reality surrounded the park and finds ways to creep into the park, from electrical pylons to roads running between parts of the park.
You can get a sense of the contrast between urban development and the forests of the Rouge Valley with Google Maps’ satellite image.
The journey reminded me that the river, trees, dragonflies, birds, and the other animals that call this place home need the Rouge to be protected. It was a cool trip, being in the Rouge Valley. It made my day. It kinda makes me feel that we humans also need wild places.
Discover the Rouge Valley. Rouge Park and Rouge Valley Conservation Centre organize guided hikes on a regular basis.
Have you been to the Rouge Valley? We would love to hear about your adventures in the Rouge Valley. Send us your stories and photographs.
