Hey everyone - I decided to go for a hike today on the Starkey Hill trail, which is just outside Guelph on Arkell Road - Just wanted to share my experience!
The map is pretty decent - the whole trail is about 4 km long, so it's nice that there's options! If you want to hike the whole system (which took me about 1 1/2 hours going slowly), my advice would be to "Stay right" (turn right whenever you come to a junction in the trail) - that will take you around the whole system. The first bit of the trail (by "staying right") is also very steep - so it was good to get that out of the way!
These were posted at different parts throughout the trail, unfortunately I don't have a smartphone that can read them, so I don't know how good the quality of information is - but it's nice that there's the option to learn more about the trail as you go.
Dryad's Saddle - a species of Bracket Fungus - more information can be found
here and
here
The trail was in really good shape - I passed many people, and there are bridges throughout.
Earlier in the spring, I imagine you would be able to see many Trillium spp. throughout - the flowering stage is at its end for these ones.
There are lots of steep slopes! Not advisable if it's raining or wet.
Although the map shows lots of water, they're little more than bogs. This was the first real "water" I saw on the hike (bottom right of the map)
I don't know if these are real stone steps, or if it's the landscape - but it was kind of neat.
Two different views of the water body in the middle-right of the map - it wasn't easy to see from the trail.
My first (and only) wildlife sighting! Red Squirrel
Front and back of the signage at the head of the trail - some interesting information on them.
Overall, the trail was in good shape, and was nice to walk on for the most part (some of the steeper parts were a little tricky, but nothing I couldn't manage).
However, if wildlife is what you're looking for, I wouldn't recommend this trail - my only sighting was a red squirrel! If you are able to identify birds by song, you may enjoy the walk (I saw no birds, but could hear them throughout - especially closer to boggy parts).
Also, although the signage is clear that dogs MUST be on a leash at all times, I passed many people who had unleashed dogs. This may or may not be a factor in the limited wildlife!
Would I do the hike again? Only time will tell. There weren't any good views, or interesting things to see on the walk - but it is a nice enough trail to walk on if you don't want to go for a walk in the city!
