Rouge Valley – Park Trail

Markham
Posted on May 22, 2021 / 11327
Rouge Valley – Park Trail
Listing Types : Park Trail
Note : New Trail
Total Trail Km : 12
Park Path % : 97
Road % : 3
Rate Skill Levels : Easy
Terrain : paved, crushed gravel, wood chips, gentle hills
Faclities : parking, toilet, outhouse, drinking water, lodging, trails maintained
Trail Fee : Free

Length – 12+ km (one way)

97% park path
3 % road crossings, detours

Elevation – Flat along creek, short gradual hills, a few quick, steep climbs over bridges 

Terrain – Patchy surface partly paved other sections are gravel or woodchips. Path varies in width. Bridges, boardwalks and short road crossings with traffic lights.

Skill – Easy rolling for everyone

Maps – None yet say Rouge Valley, some signs say Villages & Valleys. Expect new signage soon. You may need to refer to a map app on your phone.

Traffic – Busy on weekends, typical path users, tourists

Facilities –  Parking lot, toilets, benches, picnic tables, rain shelters, bike repair stations, swimming at Milne Dam

Highlights – Boardwalks, large ponds/lakes, many bridges, (some grand), old homes, ever-changing scenery, tourist stops

Trail Fee – Free

Phone – 905 477 5530

Website – City of Markham 

Similar Trails – Oshawa Creek,  Nokiidaa,  Speed River

Local Clubs – Toronto Bicycle Network – TBN

Access –  On the north end there are two entry points for this trail south of 16th Ave. (we parked on a side street as there are no lots)

The trail runs by Toogood Pond and Carlton Rd. and Main St., here you can find parking lots or space on side streets. Large lots at Milne Dam Conservation Park and the Rouge River Community Centre further south.



In Markham, a suburb on the north side of Toronto, we found a surprisingly pleasant 12 km bike cruise called the Rouge Valley trail. Following the Bruce Creek into the upper Rouge River tributaries, we encountered a patchwork of trails that lead us to ponds, a lake, bridges and dams that we loved.

We set out on a chilly spring day and found the trek full of winding ever-changing landscape that kept us interested in going further. Much of it was still natural and not overly cultivated open parkland.

Starting from the top at 16th Ave. we headed southeast following the creek on a twisty and easily navigable narrow path.

Onward through ravines, over many boardwalks and bridges we went. The surface was old cracked asphalt with sections of gravel or a wood chip base.

Nothing was unmanageable on a good city bike with medium-sized tires. This was indicative of the rest of the ride.

Some parts are newly paved, others not at all. A few road crossings are required but none seemed hazardous as larger crossings had lights.

I was going to call this route the Villages and Valley trail as posted on signs in the middle section of this ride.  Yet upon more research online, I believe it will be called the Rouge Valley trail, but I saw no signage saying so. This one in Markham is not to be confused with…

 

Read the rest of this review and 59 others in my NEW book, Volume 2 of Best Bicycle Park & Rail Trails in Ontario.

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OpenStreetMap

Rouge Valley - Markham bike trail map

Rouge Valley - Markham bike trail map

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4.1
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