Lindsay Davies, a native of Niagara, argues that it’s simply not true that Ontario lacks outdoor adventure options.
“I hear, ‘there’s nothing to do in Ontario and Ontario has nothing going on’ and, well, there’s 36 places just right here,” Davies said in an interview with CBC’s Fresh Air.
According to her new book, Greenbelt Trails: The 36 best – west of Toronto, from Oakville and Hamilton to Niagara and beyond, she aims to show otherwise.
The book highlights numerous hiking locations in southwestern Ontario that are dear to Davies as well as conveniently located.
“It was about being able to share so many places that are special to me and again letting people know how much there is in our own backyard.”
Davies didn’t start out as a dedicated hiker.
She mentioned that at one point she moved back home with her parents and needed a way to get out of the house occasionally.
The nearby Greenbelt provided trails for exploration.
Soon enough, she began sharing her experiences on social media as well as through web and print articles, which eventually led her to write the book.
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Davies walks along a boardwalk on the Anishinaabe Waadiziwin Trail at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ont. (Submitted by Lindsay Davies)
“It just so happens that the publisher [Formac Lorimer] found my website and some of the articles I’d done about trails and they were like, ‘hey, we really like your voice and it really lends well to tourism and trying to promote destinations and whatnot. So would you like to write a book?’ And I was like, ‘Uh, sure?’”
LISTEN | Author Lindsay Davies meets CBC’s Nav Nanwa in Burlington to talk trails:
Fresh Air8:31A new book spotlights the walking trails of the Greenbelt
Lindsay Davies is the author of a new book called “Greenbelt Trails”. She meets guest host Nav Nanwa in Burlington to take a winter hike on the Hendrie Valley Trails. Along the way, she tells us more about some of the hiking trails you can explore in the Greenbelt.
As research – like this recent study from Mac Master University in Hamilton – continues to show benefits from walking, Davies was excited about doing something that would encourage people to be active.
Julie Richardson is a professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science at Mac Master and a co-author of the walking study. She told CBC that their findings suggest that how easily someone walks can indicate their health status; that’s why it’s vital for everyone to walk regularly.
“If you can, you should try to walk five or six times a week for at least 30 minutes,” Richardson said.
Apart from improving physical fitness, Davies feels spending time outdoors also benefits mental health.
This is one reason she wants her book to reach many readers-including those curious about hiking who might not have much experience yet.
“I wanted to remove some of the barriers to entry that hiking can have,” she said; so she included multiple beginner-friendly paths such as those along boardwalks.
“I wanted ones that were interesting but also not too tough. Anyone can come here with little kids or even push strollers,” she said.
Davies recommends checking out Hendrie Valley Trails within Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington as an ideal spot.
“With all its boardwalks; it’s just perfect for getting outside easily,” she stated.
An important piece of advice from Davies for novice hikers is never hike alone; even seasoned hikers planning solo outings should let someone know where they’re headed.
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