The difficulty of a hike is determined by the speed, distance, elevation gain and terrain. Please read the template to determine if the hike is right for you. More descriptors are included in the Guiding Notes below the template.
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HIKE TITLE
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Hamilton Weekly Waterfront Walk
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DATE
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Wednesday, October 7, 2026
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HIKE LEADER(S)
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Tammy Ross
Jim Blair
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LEADER EMAIL AND CELL NUMBER
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tammyross@rogers.com 905-518-6942
blairjames082@gmail.com 905 906 6941
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MEETING TIME and START TIME
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Meet at 9:15 for 9:30 start
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MEETING/ PARKING LOCATION
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Bayfront Park, Hamilton
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MEETING MAP (link)
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Hamilton Bayfront Park Parking Lot - Google Search
Park in the lot closest to the water. Meet at the stylized ship’s mast with “Waterfront Trail” written on the sail which is located in the corner of the parking lot, close to the water and the railway yard.
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ENTRANCE FEES
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none
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DISTANCE
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6 km with option to lengthen to 8 kms +, depending on route
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DURATION OF HIKE
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2 hours +/-
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SPEED
Leisurely: 3 km/hour or less
Moderate: 3-4 km/hour
Fast: 4-5 km/hour
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Moderate but pace may vary if you prefer a faster or slower pace
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ELEVATION GAIN
Low: mostly flat - a few hills
Moderate: some ups and downs
High: lots of hills, steep and/or long
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Low: flat.
The route may vary occasionally, in which case there may be a few hills
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TERRAIN
Easy: wide trail, usually good footing
Moderate: some areas of tricky footing
Challenging: rugged trail with tricky footing
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Easy: wide and paved
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TYPE OF HIKE:
i.e. Loop, There & Back or Combination
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Out and back, with some possible route variations.
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GENERAL ROUTE DESCRIPTION
Points of Interest and Special Notes
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Along the waterfront of Hamilton Harbour, under bridge to Cootes Paradise and Bayfront Park. There may be some route variations from week to week (i.e. up to York Blvd., Hamilton Cemetery, Princess Point, over to pier 4, some city sidewalks)
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Other Specifics to Your Hike
i.e. social to follow hike
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The group enjoys a coffee together at Wiliams Café on the Pier 8 after the hike
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REGISTRATION is required and opens 2 weeks prior to the hike.
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Up to 20 hikers may register.
Leaders appreciate early registration, but you can register at the last minute. Please join the waitlist if the hike is full.
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CANCELLATION
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• If your plans change, please self-cancel as soon as possible so that other HOC members may take your spot.
• The club may cancel due to bad weather that may impact the safety of participants or due to low attendance.
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WHAT TO BRING
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• Wear supportive hiking boots with good tread.
• Hiking poles will be helpful.
• Dress in layers according to weather; wear/bring waterproof rainwear.
• Bring snacks and enough water for the duration of the hike.
• Sun and bug protection as required
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GUIDING NOTES:
HIKE PACE - Pace refers to the speed of walking. Rest stops are not figured in to the overall pace, however they are figured in to the Duration of the Hike. These paces represent an average and may vary depending on the terrain, weather, group size, etc.
Leisurely: 3 km/hour or less.
Moderate: 3-4 km/hour
Fast: 4-5 km/hour.
TERRAIN – This refers to the footing on the trail itself and is influenced by the presence of rocks, roots, step-ups and step-downs, as well as the width of the trail. Please note variations can be expected with wet or icy conditions.
Easy: wide trails, may be paved or hard packed, mostly good footing, i.e. rail trails, waterfront trails
Moderate: some tricky footing, i.e. Bruce Trail, Dundas Valley, Conservation Areas, RBG trails
Challenging: significant areas of tricky footing (some parts of the Bruce Trail, some trails in Short Hills, up and down the escarpment).
ELEVATION: This refers to the accumulated elevation gained over the course of the hike.
Low: route is mostly flat but may include some gentle ups and downs
Moderate: route has hills, a few may be steep and/or long, but also some flat areas
Challenging: route has lots of hills, some of which are steep and long and few areas that are flat
Attention Non-Members: If you are thinking about becoming a member, The Halton Outdoor Club invites you to take part in up to two club activities as a Non-Member. After that, please join our club so we can welcome you as a member. Registration is required for all events, and you will have to agree to the waiver of participation when registering.
Attention Past Members: You are not entitled to two trial activities. Please renew your membership to take advantage of all that the Club has to offer.
