Join rare and #StepUpforNature at this year's Trail Party! Sign up to walk, hike or run and raise money to help protect environmentally sensitive lands in our community, now and forever!
This is a fundraising event and we've set a goal to raise $50,000 to protect the valuable lands across Waterloo Region/Wellington County that are:
- home to 5,400+ species of flora, fauna, aquatics and more
- free and accessible for individuals and families to enjoy and explore
- safe from changing government policies that could threaten it
- the site of many important and ongoing research studies
- vital to the health and well-being of our community
Will you #StepUpforNature? It's as Easy as 1-2-3!
1. Register Online:
- Choose whether you will walk, hike or run.
- Start a team, join a team or register as an individual
Your Registration fee includes:
- Education stations and entertainment along the route
- BBQ lunch at the finish line (the ECO Centre)
- Live music
- Shuttle bus from the ECO Centre back to Riverbluffs Park
Kids 12 and under are free (discount applied at checkout).
2. Share your Passion:
Funds raised through the annual Trail Party help rare to continue the important work they do throughout the year. To reach our goal, we ask that you share your passion for nature with your friends, family and colleagues and ask them to donate to support you in your participation and help us protect local natural spaces now and forever. Perhaps even consider putting together a team from work.
Each participant that raises over $100 ($50 for kids 12 and under) will receive our exclusive 2026 Bandana donated by Civilian Screen Printing. How will you wear yours?
3. Have fun:
Give yourself a big round of applause and join us on event day as we walk, hike, run and celebrate together in nature on September 20, 2026!
Registration fees
Where pricing applies, shown amounts include mandatory charges, items, and fees.
Walk
Walk the Grand Trunk Trail from Riverbluffs Park to the ECO Centre. This is an accessible option suitable for strollers and physically leashed dogs. The surface is mainly hard-packed dirt or stone dust with a few asphalt sections.
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Register for WalkCA$34.62
Hike
Adventure through side trails off of the Grand Trunk Trail for beautiful views of the Grand River. This route has areas with narrow foot paths and rugged terrain. No dogs or strollers on these trails.
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Register for HikeCA$34.62
Run
Run along the Grand Trunk Trail past the ECO Centre to the turnaround point and back for a full 5K effect. The surface is mainly hard-packed dirt or stone dust with a few asphalt sections.
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Register for RunCA$34.62
Trail Party Map
Please note that parking is permitted at Riverbluffs Park only. A shuttle bus will take participants back to their vehicles from the Slit Barn.
On-leash pets are welcome on Walk and Run (yellow and blue) routes only.
About Us
rare is an urban land trust and environmental institute in Waterloo Region and Wellington County. rare protects more than 1,550 acres of conservation lands across ten locations and works with the community to steward these lands intact in perpetuity. Through conservation, research, education, food security, the arts and community engagement, rare helps people build meaningful relationships with land and with each other. Its lands serve as a living laboratory, outdoor classroom and gathering place for action, learning and mutual care.
Event schedule
- Sun, September 20, 2026 9:00 AM - Registration opens at Riverbluffs Park
- Sun, September 20, 2026 9:45 AM - Opening remarks at Riverbluffs Park
- Sun, September 20, 2026 10:00 AM - Walk, Hike & Run Begins!
- Sun, September 20, 2026 11:00 AM - Celebratory BBQ starts at ECO Centre
- Sun, September 20, 2026 12:00 PM - Closing remarks at ECO Centre
- Sun, September 20, 2026 1:00 PM - Event & BBQ finishes
Contact information
- Event contact
- Amanda Humphreys
- Phone
- (519) 650-9336 x122
- Website
- Visit website
Total raised
44 percent of the goal has been raised
Sponsors
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Presenting Sponsor
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BBQ Sponsor
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Busker Sponsors
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Merchandise Sponsors
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