Nature Exploration | Hiking | Photography Story
An Incredible Summer-Kissed, Nature-Blessed Hiking Adventure in Durham East Cross Forest Conservation
Lush green, bird songs, and weekend spirit — what else do you need on your hiking?
Canada is a beautiful country with natural wonders and green vividness.
As a hiking lover, it is a blessing! Canada has numerous hiking trails to explore with loads of parks, conservation areas, and well-maintained trails.
Even if you are not in the mountain range or hilly areas, you can always look for conservation areas around you.
I had covered most of the hiking trails around my place before, so I was searching for some new tracks. So, last week, I did extensive research and listed a few routes to explore in the upcoming weeks.
I choose the Durham East Cross Forest Conservation Area as the first one from the list.
Durham East Cross Forest Conservation Area
The forest is in Scugog Township, on the Oak Ridges Moraine, with 540 hectares (1,334 acres) and growing.
It has various natural heritage features, wildlife habitats, and landforms, including open meadows, wetlands, sugar maple forests, hardwood forests, seepage areas, pine plantations, a bit of prairie, and sand barrens. It also includes part of the headwaters for East Cross Creek and Pigeon River.
The main trail is 3.3 km one way (6.6 km both ways), the South Forest Loop Trail is about 2.3 km long one way (currently closed), and the Blair Martin Memorial Trail is a loop trail of 1.5 km.
The area also offers bird watching, bicycling, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobile access for Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) members. Although if you want a calm walk in the forest, the snowmobile or the ATVs can turn the experience into a forgettable one.
You can access the trail either from 4560 Devitts Road or at 4531 Boundary Road. Parking is free, and there are ample spaces to park. It also has two toilets on each entrance side.
GPS Coordinates (main trailhead) are Latitude: 44.1007720; and Longitude: -78.7312030.
The following is the map that can make it easier for you to explore:
The Hiking Experience
The trails were straightforward (spoiler alert: I lost track of one of those). You can continue with the primary route (follow the directions/indications), and there will be a turn where you can go either to The Blair Martin Memorial Trail (on the right) or the main trail (on the left).
Before entering the forest, I came across a family who lives nearby and comes for hiking in this area quite frequently! The family showed me the directions, and we chatted for about 10–15 minutes until the turns came in.
They took the right turn to cover the Blair Martin Memorial Trail. As it was my first time, I wanted to explore more, so I said goodbye and took the left one to continue the main trail.
Meanwhile, the lush green welcomed me (along with the sandy path and grass patches)!
The calm presence of nature was taking me into relaxation!
Except for the mosquitoes, they didn’t like my presence at all! Instead, they were murmuring around, threatening with their presence.
But I cared less about their threatening songs but were listening to the chirps from the forest itself!
An orchestrated symphony!
I love capturing images of nature, so the walk fulfilling that aspect of my craving too!
Although I believe the snapped images couldn’t capture the beauty in stillness.
I came across the end-point of the main trail quite fast, so after a brief pause, I started my return journey.
Unfortunately, the South Loop was closed, so I continued returning using the main track.
As I continued to the main trail, I came across the turn and thought of taking the Blair Martin Memorial Trail. Once going through that trail, I could see the signatures of the dirt bikes and ATVs on the track.
There was none on that day, but I guess it might cause a distraction for the peace-loving hikers in the forest when ATVs roar and dominate the trails.
However, somehow I lost track and came to a part with many paths to follow.
A bit confused, I returned to the main trail and followed the return track. Later, I realized that I could have just followed the adjacent hilly path that could have saved 15 minutes of my time.
Ya, we all learn from our mistakes!
As the summer bestowed its blessing in Canada these days, the meadows also started showing their elegant presence.
I would say the trail is a family-friendly, easy-to-finish trail. I captured the motions while exploring the area that you can explore in the following video:
Last but not least, the area includes so many beautiful birds like Wood Thrush, Canada Warbler, Northern Flicker, and the Savannah Sparrow. If you want to listen to the bird chirps, you might want to take a look (or listen) to the following:
I wish you all a happy hike!
*More details on the area in the link: Kawartha Reservation
Suntonu Bhadra 2022
Other trail stories you can explore
