History Hike—Trout Hollow Trail
This volunteer-maintained 14-km hiking trail follows both banks of the Bighead River. Beginning in Meaford beside the bridge across from Beautiful Joe Park, walking the trail’s full length will take you out to the 7th Line and back again. But many will prefer to follow the well-marked riverside footpath through mature forest to one of several historical sites or vantage points, and then turn around. The sites include remains of a sawmill, gristmill and power dam from the 19th and early 20th centuries. On the west bank you can walk through Trout Hollow, the site of a mill and factory where a young John Muir—the father of the U.S. environmental and national parks movement—lived and worked in the 1860s. Augmented with informational panels, this site and the others along the Trail serve as reminders of how central the river was to commerce and daily life more than a century ago. Map: trouthollow.ca
To do:
Pack a picnic or stop for lunch after your hike!
These downtown Meaford restaurants offer outdoor and indoor seating, and takeout options. For takeout, pre-ordering online or by phone recommended:- -The Red Door (walk-ins welcome) – thereddoormeaford.com
- -The Leeky Canoe (walk-ins welcome) – theleekycanoe.ca
- -The Kitchen Catering & Cafe (walk-ins welcome) – thekitchenmeaford.com
- -Meaford Social Curry/Bar/Taco (patio reservations required) – meafordsocial.ca
- -2GoSushi – (walk-in or call to place order) – 2gosushi.ca
After your hike/lunch:
- 4 pm films are back on the big screen at Meaford Hall! @MeafordHall
