Over  Labour Day weekend I did something I’ve been meaning to do for the past 20 years.  I walked the trails in a bush area known as Scout Valley in Orillia.  It kind of sounds like a bucket list item, but really it’s just something I keep forgetting to do.

We are so blessed in Simcoe County to have some incredible trails, but I seem to always stick to the same ones.  I’m sure you’ve got your favourite walking trail (if you enjoy walking that is), but I’ve just added a new favourite when I’m in the mood for a walk in the woods.

Scout Valley is 93 hectares in size and has three 2km trials.  This trail system is clearly marked “use at your own risk” and when you walk it you will understand why.  These trails are cut through the bush and are not the smoothest.  There are rocks you will have to climb over, hills to hike, tree limbs to avoid and did I mention incredible beauty.  

 

 

I decided to hike one of the trails and somehow got off the marked trail and ended up back at my car in about 15 minutes.  That’s not a long enough walk for my thinking, so I headed back into the bush and decided to follow another marked trail.  It was incredible, but took be much longer to complete.  In fact I’m sure my second trail venture had me off into another part of the bush that wasn’t really the trail, because after an hour and half I was happy to sit down in the truck. 

 

 

If you love the sound of birds, chipmunks scolding you for being in their bush, gorgeous sunshine streaming through a canopy of lush leaves and some surprising creeks, then I would recommend you don’t take as long as I did to walk Scout Valley. 

 

My legs keep reminding me of what a good work-out the journey into the bush at Scout Valley can be and where else can you enjoy over an hour of outdoor entertainment for free.

 

 

Where is your favourite walking trail?