Alton Grange

Date:	Sunday September 10
Hike Leader:	Howard Gibson
Distance:	10km
Pace:	Moderate
Difficulty:	Level 2

Alton Grange is an old park which used to have a side trail of the Bruce Trail running through it to connect to the Grand Valley trail. The Grand Valley Trail ends just north of Alton. The park now is being maintained by the Alton Grange Association. Hopefully, the beavers have not blocked anything.

This is mostly a gentle hike, ideal for getting your legs back in shape for the next few weeks. There is one steep hill where we will stop for lunch, and enjoy the view.

On the way back, we will visit the Alton Mill art gallery. Basically, we leave our packs at the door and spend forty minutes looking at all the art. You can also check out the old power plant in the basement.

Directions there

Parking at the site is limited. We would really appreciate it if you would show up at Yonge and York Mills for carpooling.

Alton is located up Highway 10, near Caledon. Starting from York Mills, and detouring around downtown Brampton...

Take Highway 401 westbound.
When you pass Highway 427, make sure you are in the collector lanes.
Continue on Highway 401, to Highway 410.
Drive north on Highway 410 to Mayfield Road. This used to sort of transmogrify into Heart Lake Road, but there has been a lot of construction. As of 2010Mar25, Highway 410 swings left and ends at Highway 10.
Drive north on Highway 10. You will cross a big valley. At the other side, you will climb back up the hill and the speed limit will drop to 50km/hr. This is Caledon.
Turn left (west) at Charleston Sideroad (Highway 24). There is Tim Horton's on the southwest corner.
Drive west on Charleston Sideroad to County Road 136 and turn right (north). You should be seeing all sorts of signs for Alton at this point.
Go north on County Road 136 and turn right (east) on Beechgrove Sideroad.
The Beechgrove Sideroad snakes a bit here. There is a right and then a left.
Park on the side of the road at the left hand bend.

Google maps sends you up Willoughby Road which is a bit shorter. Main Street and Beechgrove Side Road have better signage. Your GPS address is 1591-1799 Beechgrove Side Rd, Alton, Ontario. L7K 0E2.

The hike starts at 11:15.

Level of Difficulty

The terrain is Level 2. There are a couple of hills, including one big one, which happens to be a great lunch spot. Sometimes beavers flood the valley. Otherwise, this is an easy hike.

Remarks

A good après hike spot is the Belfountain inn, located in Belfountain of all places. Here are the Google directions. Basically, you go south until you hit Forks of the Credit Road, and then you turn right.

Go back to the schedule page.