| Membership | Price (+HST) |
|---|---|
| Single | $85/year |
| Single Plus | $120/year |
| Family | $130/year |
| Family Plus | $175/year |
| Contributing | $300/year |
| Supporting | $600/year |
| Sustaining | $1,000/year |
| Benefactor's Circle | $2,500/year |
| Director's Circle | $5,000/year |
| President's Circle | $10,000/year |
Hendrie Valley Trails
- 4.5km of trails
- 5 lookouts
- Primary Access Point: Cherry Hill Gate (1131 Plains Rd. W. Burlington)
This 100-hectare sanctuary is centered on the Grindstone Creek Valley. The area features forested slopes with towering trees, a 60-hectare river-mouth marsh complex and four creeks. Transferred to RBG in 1941 for ecological protection, it stretches to Carroll’s Point in Hamilton Harbour, and contains an extensive collection of floodplain wetlands, all of which are part of a Great Lakes restoration program.
Trail Notices
- There are no trail notices or closures at this time.
Urgent Reminder: Wildlife Feeding Prohibited
Feeding wildlife along the trails is resulting in long-term damage to these important nature sanctuaries and their inhabitants.
RBG has a strict policy prohibiting the feeding of wildlife, with enforcement regulated by the City of Burlington’s By-law Enforcement Agency. If you witness wildlife feeding, please report it to Burlington By-Law Enforcement. We appreciate your engagement and look forward to working with the community to create a safe habitat for all wildlife residing at RBG.
Hendrie Valley Trail Guide
RBG’s Nature trails are classed as Wilderness Trails. Trails defined as “hilly” have elevation changes of 20 metres with 20% grades in sections. Trails are generally 2-metres wide, expect for “narrow” trails that are 1-metre wide, and have cross slopes of less than 5% for drainage. Trails are not plowed or sanded during the winter. During spring thaws and after rains earthen trails become muddy. Please take appropriate caution.
- Grindstone Marshes Trail: 1.6 km, 2m wide and boardwalk
- Bridle Trail Loop: 1.2 km, 1-2m wide sections, hilly
- Creek Side Walk: 1.1 km, 1m wide, flat floodplain
- Kicking Horse Trail: 0.3 km, 3m wide hilly
- Snake Road Link: 0.3 km, 1m wide hilly
Parking
- Paid parking is in effect for all trail users arriving by cars. Proceeds from the parking fees go directly toward the maintenance of these lots as well as stewardship of the natural areas.
- A 12-month parking pass is issued with the purchase of an RBG Membership.
| Parking Lot | Details | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry Hill Gate 1131 Plains Rd. W. Burlington |
|
$3/hr to a maximum of $15 |
Trail Features
Hendrie Valley is home to lots of interesting trails and lookouts! Here are 5 key destinations marked by number on the pdf map.
South Pasture Swamp
An oasis for endangered species, this spring-fed oxbow pond is home to beaver, muskrat, Virginia rail and wood duck. Work to restore this site began in 1994 as part of Project Paradise.
Grindstone Creek
With three pedestrian bridge crossings and a creek-side trail, the valley provides an intimate connection with the creek. Seasonal fish spawning runs include herring and spottail shiner in the spring and salmon in the fall.
Snowberry Island
Halfway along the Grindstone Marshes Boardwalk, Snowberry Island sits five metres high in the floodplain. Named after a species of plant that grows there, the island is a block of uneroded creek valley soil called a knoll.
Grindstone Creek Delta
Located at Valley Inn trailhead, it’s both the site of an ambitious restoration project and stop-over point for migratory waterfowl. More than 100,000 Christmas trees form the foundation for the restored river banks of Grindstone Creek — these protect the marsh areas by preventing carp from entering.
Valley Inn Hotel
Built in 1820s on the eastern shore of Burlington Heights and standing until 1959, the hotel was a rest spot at the crossroads of the former Desjardins Canal and Hwy 2. The routes are now severed by the rail line and Hwy 403, but a section of road remains on the Grindstone Marshes Trail.
RBG Trails Frequently Asked Questions
Are the trails free to access?
Trail access points are varied as are the costs. Many access points are walk in and accessible by bike or transit and as a result are free. Parking fees do apply at metered lots for those arriving by car. Proceeds from the memberships and parking fees go towards the maintenance of these access locations as well as stewardship of the natural areas.
NOTE: Time-ticketed parking applies to access the Arboretum during bloom season (typically May/June)
Though hiking the trails is free, maintaining them and the nature sanctuaries (home to over 1,000 species) requires significant investment. Please consider support RBG’s conservation efforts with a donation. Learn more at rbg.ca/donate
Which trails are the most accessible / stroller-friendly?
Trail widths are about 1m with natural material surfaces.
Grades at Rock Chapel and Princess Point accesses areas are relatively flat at 1% grade, while the Arboretum and Hendrie Valley Trails have maximum grades of 25%. Most trails have elevation changes of 20m. Trail cross slope angles do not exceed 5%.
The Desjardins Trail accessed from Princess Point at Cootes Paradise is a flat multiuser paved trail, managed by the City of Hamilton on RBGs behalf and is part of the Trans Canada Trail network.
Can I bring my dog on the trails?
Dogs are welcome in the nature sanctuaries so long as they remain on-leash, on-trail, and are cleaned up after.
Keep the nature sanctuaries fun and safe for everyone, comply with local bylaws, and help with our conservation efforts by keeping your dog leashed. If you see someone with an off-leash dog on the trails or at the arboretum, call Animal Services to report the incident to the by-law enforcement branch.
- Hamilton: 905-574-3433
- Burlington: 905-335-3030
Are bikes permitted on the trails?
For safety, maintenance, and conservation reasons, biking is not permitted on RBG’s trail systems. Many of RBG’s main trailheads include bike racks for your convenience.
Do you have canoes available for rent?
RBG does not lease out the canoes used in our camps and programs. Check with your local outdoor equipment provider for rentals or sign up for our Paddling in Paradise programs available in the summer months. Learn more at rbg.ca/paddle
What do I do if I find a distressed animal?
As RBG is not a wildlife handling organization, should you find an injured or distressed animal in the nature sanctuaries, please contact the appropriate animal control authority (Hamilton: (905) 574-3433, Burlington: (905) 335-3030). They may request that you stay with the animal to keep eyes on its whereabouts until help arrives, and may contact RBG for access assistance.
Young animals such as Fawns (Young Deer): If you encounter a young animal such as a fawn alone in any natural space, rest assured they are likely not abandoned. Mothers leave their little ones hidden while in search of food. Give them space, its mother will be back within the next day ready to move to a new spot. If the fawn has not moved in several days and its ears are curled down due to dehydration, contact your local animal control authority.
Can I fish on RBG’s properties?
Fishing is permitted at trail access points to the water as well as by non-motorized boat. However as the area largely used by spawning fish it is subject to seasons articulated in the OMNRF fishing regulations. Remember the lands along the water contain many sensitive plant species.
Is ice skating available in the winter?
Princess Point provides access to a designated skating area at Cootes Paradise. Ice is measured each Friday (before end of day), and updated at the on-site signage. Please note: weather changes quickly, and so upon arrival the ice may not be in the same condition as listed. Please use caution, take time to read the signage, and follow the listed guidelines.
