Greystone Trails has over 17km of trails that now encompass almost the entire property providing hiking, bird watching, wildlife viewing opportunities and enjoyment for everyone who chooses to take the time to explore. Summer 2019: thanks to local volunteer Ernie, we are in the process of creating a side trail off of Escarpment Trail which will take you closer and parallel to the base of the escarpment. Completed Summer 2021 and, yes, Ernie was still volunteering 🙂

The trails, which are about 10 feet wide, are a perfect place to exercise your canine companion(s) as well. You will traverse through 3 distinct micro-environments when you explore the entire property (lake, forest and plateau) each with its own flora and fauna.

Six  ponds (Beaver, Escarpment East & West, Long, Creek and Corral) and five rest areas (with privies) located along the Main Loop are wonderful places to stop, rest and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. Depending on the time of day, you might spot beavers working on their dam at Beaver Pond, a couple of very large herons feeding on the many frogs, an eagle, snowy owl, ruffed grouse, praying mantis, goldfinch, rabbits, wild turkeys or other surprises.

Susan often posts her sightings and photos here and you will find many of them on the “galleries” tab on the navigation bar. Eventually, they will be sorted into groupings and have drop-down menus. Over FIFTY species of birds have been reported in one day on Greystone Trails during the spring migration. The trails are an ideal location for birders, bird watchers and nature photographers.

You are welcome to post your photos on the facebook page at www.facebook.com/greystoneretreat or send them to Sue in .jpeg format for sharing on this site!

Challenge yourself to see if you can locate the original homestead and bank barn foundation ruins near the “Finch Rest Area” … they’re not far off the trail. HINT: the trail names will help a lot.

TRAIL MAPS are available at the trailhead located at the new PUBLIC PARKING AREA (across from 504785 Grey Rd 1) so you can help yourself to a map whenever you hike. There is a legend in the lower right corner of the map that gives the length of each trail and a reminder, that should you lose your way, to remember the boating rule “Red Right Returning”. We have placed yellow markers with red reflectors at each trail intersection and on the RIGHT SIDE of each trail to guide you back to Grey Road 1. These markers may not be the shortest route, but they will be the simplest to return to the top of the hill so you can reorient yourself as long as you keep them on your right-hand side as you walk. There are markers where trails connect as well. Those markers are not part of the ‘red right returning’ system.

In 2016, we created over 100 wood signs and installed them at intersections to help hikers find their way on the trails. Thanks to many local volunteers, signs were sanded and painted beautifully.

In the summer, all on-site trails are mowed on a weekly basis, weather permitting, usually on Thursday so they are in excellent shape for weekend outings.

In the winter, we groom our 16km of trails packing them down to create ideal conditions for snowshoeing and cross country skiing when conditions allow.

We do not allow snowmobiling on our trails except for local access by neighbours on Grey Road 1 to get to the OSFC trails. There is a designated route starting from Cattle entrance. PLEASE use only Cattle, Inner East and Outer North to reach Owl Rest area where you go off property and connect with OSFC trails.

TRAIL CONDITIONS are posted intermittently on our facebook page (spring and fall can be very wet and some trails are closed) and will be on this site on a more regular basis. If you are not on facebook, contact Tony or Sue via email or call 519.378.1503 with any questions. Also, do please let us know if you spot anything on the trail that needs our attention (such as fallen trees or limbs, trail conditions not listed on facebook, outhouse attention, animal sightings/issues, etc.), if you have any suggestions or if you would like to volunteer to help with maintenance and/or upkeep occasionally. Early fall is our most likely time for volunteering.

Many upgrades are ‘in the works’ … you’ll find them posted on this site as they occur. Check our ‘timeline’ under the ‘about’ tab to review past upgrades and activities on the Trails.

PUBLIC TRAIL ENTRANCE IS OPEN

Parking lot is located across from 504785 Grey Rd 1, signed “Greystone Trails … Public Access” and has plenty of parking for 6 to 12 vehicles making it an ideal location to meet your friends for a hike. There are maps at the Trailhead Entrance for your convenience. This entrance is cleared in the winter.
An ALTERNATE ENTRANCE is located opposite 504747 Grey Rd 1. It is signed as “Greystone Trails” and has room for 1 or 2 cars. This entrance is not available in the winter.

TRAIL ACCESS is no charge … it is our way of giving back to community. Please help us keep the trails in prime condition by reporting any issues and, as you walk, remove any small debris you come across.

Donation boxes are available at entrances if you wish to contribute to the costs of maintenance. There is no obligation whatsoever to donate, however, any donations are most welcome and much appreciated. Thank you.

Remember to “poop and scoop” (or use a stick to push off the trails in respect of those following you) and to “take only memories; leave only footprints”.

We’re often hiking and maintaining the trails – so we’ll see you out there! We look forward to meeting you 🙂

— NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES —

(except snowmobiles in winter on specific trails when gates are open and conditions allow).

NO HORSES. NO CAMPING. NO GEO-CACHING. NO DRONES.
DOGS WELCOME.

— PROPERTY ACCESS AND USE OF TRAILS IS AT YOUR OWN RISK —

Trails OPEN dawn to dusk daily. STAY ON MARKED TRAILS ONLY.
Be safe. Bring water. Wear appropriate footwear.
NOTE: Phone reception is sporadic on the property depending where you are and your provider.