Are you a long distance thru hiker? Do you enjoy walking with a purpose? If so, join Walk to Freedom for a 165-mile, two-week, Freedom Walk, July 19 – August 2, 2025, tracing the footsteps of Harriet Tubman and other 19th century Freedom Seekers to present day Ontario, Canada for the 163rd Emancipation Festival in Owen Sound. Community members are welcome to participate at any point along the route for one mile, one day, or longer.
Walking Route
The walk will begin on Saturday July 19, at the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad & Heritage Center, before crossing the Rainbow Bridge into Canada and continuing northward. The walk will pass through: Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Guelph, Fergus, Arthur, Mt. Forest, Durham, and Chatsworth before ending in Owen Sound. Along the way we will explore the colliding worlds of 19th century U.S., Canada, Great Britain, and the African Diaspora.
Tentative Itinerary
The walking itinerary below was last revised on June 30. Below you will find the walking itinerary and details on participant responsibilities for those participating in multiple day walks. For shorter community walk participants, click here
If you have suggestions for places to visit, please email me at: ourwalktofreedom@yahoo.com
| Walk to Freedom | ||||||
| Stage | Date | Day | Start | Finish | Miles | Notes |
| 1 | 7/19/2025 | Saturday | Niagara Falls | St. Catharines | 15.1 | |
| 2 | 7/20/2025 | Sunday | St. Catharines | Grimsby Beach | 25.6km/15.9mi | |
| 3 | 7/21/2025 | Monday | Grimsby Beach | Hamilton | 27km/19mi | |
| 4 | 7/22/2025 | Tuesday | Hamilton | Waterdown | 13.3km/8.3mi | |
| 5 | 7/23/2025 | Wednesday | Waterdown | Morriston | 23km/14.3 mi | |
| 6 | 7/24/2025 | Thursday | Morriston | Guelph | 15km/9.5mi | |
| 7 | 7/25/2025 | Friday | Rest Day | |||
| 8 | 7/26/2025 | Saturday | Guelph | Fergus | 22.2km/13.8mi | |
| 9 | 7/27/2025 | Sunday | Fergus | Arthur | 19.4km/12mi | |
| 10 | 7/28/2025 | Monday | Arthur | Mount Forest | 22.2km/15mi | |
| 11 | 7/29/2025 | Tuesday | Mount Forest | Varney | 19.1km/11.8mi | |
| 12 | 7/30/2025 | Wednesday | Varney | Williamsford | 27.5km/17mi | |
| 7/31/2025 | Thursday | Rest Day | ||||
| 13 | 8/1/2025 | Friday | Emancipation Day Williamsford | 19km/12mi | ||
| 14 | 8/2/2025 | Saturday | Grey Roots Museum | Festival | 3.9km/2.5 miles | |
| Sunday | 167.3 | Total Miles |
Participant Responsibilities
The July 19 – August 2, hike will be on mostly open flat roads with possible intersection of the Bruce Trail during the hike. Participants will be responsible for all transportation, lodging, food & beverage, backpacking equipment, and associated costs. Previous thru hiking experience is required. Participants must be able to walk 12 to 15 miles per day unassisted.
Transportation
Airports – Two major airports serve the Niagara region. On the U.S. side of the border, The Buffalo Niagara International Airport and on the Canadian side of the border the Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Train Service – The nearest train service to Owen Sound is in the City of Guelph, about 2 hours south. The Via Rail train service connects to Toronto.
Bus Service – GOST is a public transportation service connecting people from Owen Sound to Guelph and locations in between! This service is run by
the City of Owen Sound and Voyago. Two buses each day run to and from Owen Sound to Guelph. For more information see GOST Schedule Brochure.
If enough participants sign up we can discuss as a group Airbnb overnight possibilities, otherwise we will camp out. I always plan a few hotel nights in case of severe weather.
Lodging
This Grey County visitors guide website is helpful for information on Bed and Breakfast in the area.
For more information, email Ken Johnston: ourwalktofreedom@yahoo.com