Trails of Silver Creek Conservation Area

Silver Creek Conservation Area is located in Halton Hills, about an hour north east of Toronto. The variety of trail options and unique geological features make it an interesting and worthwhile place to explore. The 1,000+ acres is preserved by Credit Valley Conservation.

We walked down Roberts Side Trail and back west down Bruce Trail. It was mid-day on a Saturday in April. It wasn’t too busy when we arrived around noon and we were able to find a parking spot easily. When we left around 2:00 PM it was starting to get a little busier. Not unusual for a Saturday.

You’ll see large rocks both on and off the trails with clusters of large mossy dolomite limestone. On the trail itself the thin dirt has worn away, revealing the bedrock beneath. 

The trail has rocky regions with both inclines and declines, so make sure you wear proper shoes. The trail is marked well, both on the Bruce Trail and on the multiple side trails. It was muddy in the springtime when we visited. 

Marshy areas are a feature of both the elevated and valley regions of the escarpment. There is a beautiful small pond about a 3 minute walk from the entrance towards Roberts Side Trail. On the main Bruce trail, there are a few lookout points with views across the Silver Creek Valley, a feature of the Niagara Escarpment. 

In the springtime there were plenty of Chickadees, Woodpeckers, and Nuthatches both on the side and main trails. When venturing closer to the valley, we saw at least a dozen turkey vultures. In the springtime, the sound of frogs by the marshes reverberated in the air. 

The forest is dense with plenty of tree varieties that are estimated to be 100-125+ years old including birch, eastern hemlock, white pine, sugar maple, and white cedar. Multiple varieties of mushroom and fungus thrive off the dead trees that cover the forest bed. 

When looking north from Side Road 27, you’ll see an old structure just behind the treeline. This is a relic of the McClure family farmhouse. Here, lived the McClure family with nine children who had acquired and developed the property in 1854. 

There is free parking on the road of both Fallbrook Trail, and Side Road 27 (pin the intersection here when entering directions in GPS).

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There are a few waterfalls in the area  – we’re planning a next visit as there is plenty more to explore!

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