Size: 230-acres
Status: Open to the Public, with trails.
Protected: June 20, 2008
Donors: The City of Orillia
Background:
The City of Orillia worked on conservation easement with The Couchiching Conservancy in 2008. Encompassing 230 acres, Scout Valley is located just west of Orillia along Old Barrie Road. A trail system that winds through the park’s natural landscape of forest and streams makes it a popular destination for passive recreation.
History:
Scout Valley was once the location of two gristmills in the mid-1800s and then in the 1930s and 40s was used as a hiking and camping site for local Boy Scout groups.
Landscape and Species:
- A variety of habitats including several areas of mature hardwoods (beech, hard maple), cedar and hemlock stands;
- Rolling woodlands of pine and hardwood with scattered wet areas and wetlands;
- Creek flowing into Lake Simcoe;
- Important as habitat for a variety of animals including interior forest songbirds.
Visit this Nature Reserve:
Address & Parking: Scout Valley is located just west of Hwy 11 and south of Old Barrie Road, East on the western edge of Orillia. There is a parking lot off of Old Barrie Road and a second lot on the 15th Line North.
Washrooms: There is a washroom on the 15th Line entrance.
Trails: 6km
Trail Type: Three loop trails, each 2km.
Estimated time to complete: 30 minutes to 1.5 hours (depending on route)
Description: There are three loop trails at Scout Valley, which is dominated by mature deciduous forest. There is also a refreshing spring of water and a small stream. At the top of the hill is a lookout with fine views across Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching.
What3words: ///instructs.scorching.fitting (Line 15), ///crafty.deviations.subsets (Old Barrie Road East)
Best time to visit: any time. Be preared for seasonal conditions and biting insects.