Friday, August 30, 2019 10:00 pm

There’s nothing like a nature hike to clear your mind and make you feel more grounded. Even if you’re not a big fan of strenuous hikes, a leisurely stroll through the woods is a great way to enjoy some fresh air.

While I love the scenery of a tree-filled forest, I admit that I don’t often prioritize this type of outing. I’m often more inclined to enjoy the beauty of the farmland and escarpment near my home from the comfort of my car during an afternoon drive. This has the added benefit of not requiring me to plan footwear in advance.

After visiting the Dundas Valley Conversation Area recently, however, I’m a complete convert. Trekking through the trails, there’s a new natural wonder around each corner and over every hill. What really sets it apart from most hiking haunts is that there’s so much variety. There’s so much more to enjoy than just a walk through the trees (which really is enough in and of itself – even if you’re not a big hiker.)

There are multiple trails in the area, but on our excursion we stuck to the “main loop” trail which took us past the area’s many highlights, one of which was a replica of a Victorian railway station, complete with train cars and tracks. It’s perfect for taking cheesy photos while pretending to escape from an oncoming train. (Ok, so those photos might not be too convincing.) As train enthusiasts, we loved this!

Being a sucker for historical dwellings, my favourite spot was The Hermitage – the ruins of what was once a beautiful stone mansion built in 1855 by Scottish immigrant George Gordon Browne Leith. Sadly, it burnt down in 1934, but it’s truly incredible to walk up to the ruins and imagine the house that had once been. (Note: there’s a spooky ghost story that accompanies the house, if you’re into that kind of thing.)

All in all, we spent a lovely three hours enjoying the trails that wound past rivers and through orchards, then topped off the afternoon with a beautiful drive around Ancaster. I’m definitely going to have to add this spot to my regular weekend agenda and can’t wait to visit when Autumn is in full swing – I can only imagine the views when the leaves change.

Have you visited the area? What was your favourite trail? Let me know in the comments.

GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

• Dundas Valley Conservation Centre is open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset

  We paid $10 total to enter the area and park .

• There’s a snack stand (open on weekends only during the off season) that sells ice cream, beverages and hot dogs, but you can also bring your own food and picnic.

• Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

• If you’d like to continue soaking in the beauty of the area, the stunning Ancaster Mill, complete with waterfall, is just a short drive away, but you’ll want to book a table ahead of time.