Join us for a multi-level hike at Elora Gorge Conservation Area!

The first leg of our hike starts at the Kay Marsten Pavilion. We will begin with a leisurely stroll eastward to the iconic "Hole In The Rock" formation before retracing our steps back to the pavilion. Those eager for more adventure can continue with us on the second leg of the trail; a scenic trek westward along the south side of the gorge. This is an easy, but closer to moderate trail. It is mostly flat, but there are some changes in elevation, and of course tree roots and rocks to walk over. The first leg of the hike is just under 2 km and the second leg is around 3 km, for a total of 5 km. 

Important to note: this hike has stairs! There is a set of stairs at the "Hole In The Rock" that lead down to the river. The second set of stairs is on the western leg of the hike, leading from the trail down to a lookout point. Taking the stairs is optional! We want you to enjoy safely, so please consider this before attempting. Full disclosure: we both really hate stairs, so you can bet we will be taking our sweet TIME up and down these steps. 

We're crossing our fingers for a radiant, sun-kissed May day, and we're looking forward to exploring the Elora Gorge Conservation Area with you! 

RSVP by sending us a DM on Instagram or an email at chubrubhikingclub@gmail.com

On Saturday, March 30th, Chub Rub Hiking Club embarked on our second hike of the 2024, exploring the 3.5 km Boardwalk Trail at Valens Lake. Despite a smaller turnout (due to the lingering cold and flu season taking out a few of our dedicated members!), our small group of adventurers made the most of our time in this beautiful conservation area, near Cambridge, Ontario. 

The Boardwalk trail takes hikers across the centre of Valens Lake, and then around the western half of the lake. We crossed the lake twice, first on a long fishing bridge and then again on a boardwalk through the marsh and wetland area. Hiking through the woods flanking the lake, we encountered pockets of snow clinging to the ground, adding to the charm of the landscape under the crisp, sunny sky with gentle breezes.

We had planned to visit the Valens Lake observation tower lookout point, to take in the full view of the lake. However, the tower, which was originally built in the mid-1970s, was demolished in February 2024 due to safety concerns. A new, accessible lookout tower is scheduled to be built over the next year -- we will definitely need to make a return trip to Valens in 2025 to check it out!

The day was sunny, yet brisk, and the water was calm. Despite it being a long weekend, we saw very few other hikers on the trails. No complaints - it's always a treat to feel like you have the whole place to yourself. :-) saw large groups of Tundra swans enjoying the day on the lake, they were quite breathtaking. Once we were off the trail, some of us gathered for post-hike refreshments, including in hot apple cider and snacks while taking in the sunshine. 

Attending a Chub Rub Hike is easy as 1... 2... 3...!