The following walking itinerary is a work in progress and is not finalized. On this Walk to Freedom journey we will learn about the significance of the Niagara region as a border crossing point for Freedom Seekers, leaders of the 19th century abolitionist movement, and the settlements early African Canadians established. In addition, our goal is to meet present day descendants of early Freedom Seekers to learn how they carry on the legacy of their ancestors. Last revised: July 14, 2025
Saturday July 19, 2025 (Official Start, Day 1)
Niagara Falls to St. Catharine’s, Ontario, 24km/15 miles.
Community walk, 8:30 a.m., Niagara Falls Underground Railroad and Heritage Center, Niagara Falls, NY, 4.0km/2-3 mile guided history walk of the Underground Railroad. This free community event kicks off Walk to Freedom’s 15-day journey to the Northern Terminus of the Underground Railroad and the 163rd Emancipation Festival in Owen Sound, Ontario. The walk will be led by Saladin Allah, Director of Community Engagement, of the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad and Heritage Center.
On the walk we will learn the about the significance of the Niagara region as a border crossing point for Freedom Seekers, leaders of the abolitionist movement, and the clandestine role Black waiters at the former Cataract Hotel played in fostering freedom for those trying to escape across the border. After reaching the Cataract House Park (audio story) in downtown Niagara Falls, dedicated to honor the Underground Railroad history, the walk will then proceed across the U.S/Canadian border to the historic Salem Chapel BME Church in St. Catharines, Ontaria, about 15 miles. U.S. citizens interested in continuing with the walk will requrire a passport. Canadian citizens wishing to join the walk from the Canadian side of the border will need to contact us to arrange a meeting place.
To sign up to join the walk, go to our Niagara Falls, NY Walk to Freedom Eventbrite registration page
Passport required to cross international border.
Sunday July 20, 2025
St. Catharine’s to Grimsby Beach, 25.6km/16 miles
Community walk, guided by Rochelle Bush, Salem Chapel BME Church, 92 Geneva St, St. Catharines, ON, 8:30 a.m., to Grimsby, Ontario. Trace the steps of Harriet Tubman, an abolitionist, social activist and “conductor” on the Underground Railroad. Start at the Harriet Tubman Statue and Salem Chapel National Historic Site.
Throughout the late 18th century until around the mid-19th century, Grimsby was both situated along the routes of the Underground Railroad—a secret network that helped enslaved Black people escape to freedom—and a destination for Loyalist settlers after the American Revolution. This location resulted in many freedom seekers and enslaved people journeying through or settling in Grimsby. However, records about the lives of enslaved people and freedom seekers are scarce, a consequence of their dehumanization and the deliberate denial of the resources necessary to preserve their stories.
To sign up for the walk in St. Catharines, go to: MyDowntown.ca/Tours
Monday July 21, 2025
Grimsby Beach to Stewart Memorial Church, 114 John St N, Hamilton, 27km/19mi
Stewart Memorial Church is home to Canada’s oldest Black congregation established in 1835 by members arriving in Hamilton via the Underground Railway. Some famous congregants here included abolitionist Josiah Henson, its first minister, Olympian Ray Lewis and the Honourable Lincoln Alexander.
As the “City of Waterfalls,” Hamilton boasts over one hundred famous falls like Albion Falls, Devil’s Punchbowl, Smokey Hollow Falls, Sherman Falls and the magnificent Webster’s Falls. Learn more about the Early Black Community in Hamilton from the Ontario Heritage Trust.
Tuesday July 22, 2025
Stewart Memorial Church to Waterdown, 752 Centre Rd. 13.3km/8.3mi
This walk will end at Joe Sam’s Leisure Park.
Wednesday July 23, 2025
Joe Sam’s Leisure Park, Waterdown to RÉUNION bistro, 42 Queen St, Morriston, ON, 23km/14.3 mi
- Meet up with Canadian Federation of University Women at 752 Centre Rd, Waterdown.
Thursday July 24, 2025
Morriston to Guelph Black Heritage Society, 83 Essex St., Guelph., 15km/9.5mi
The Guelph BME (British Methodist Episcopal) Church has stood at 83 Essex Street since 1880. The Guelph BME was built by formerly enslaved Black individuals and their descendants who arrived in the area via the Underground Railroad.Guelph
Situated around where the Eramosa and Speed Rivers meet, Guelph is home to interesting art and cultural museums, nature trails and hikes, including a beautiful university arboretum, excellent restaurants and wildly popular music festivals.
Fergus, Ontario, played a role in the Underground Railroad as a stop on the route to freedom for escaped slaves, with the town’s history connecting it to the fight against slavery.
Friday July 25, 2025 (Rest Day)
Time to get to know Guelph and its many communities. No walk scheduled
Saturday July 26, 2025
Guelph to Fergus (Half way point to Owen Sound) 22.2km/13.8mi Start: From Guelph Black Heritage Society via local trail to Jones Baseline and north to Fergus.
Sunday July 27, 2025
Fergus to Arthur, 19.4km/12mi
Monday July 28, 2025
Arthur to Mt Forest, 22.2km/15mi
Tuesday July 29, 2025
Mt Forest to Varney, 19.1km/11.8mi
Wednesday July 30, 2025
Varney, Durham to Williamsford, 27.5km/17mi
Approaching historic Negro Creek Road settlement. As we approach the townships of Durham, Chatsworth and Williamsford, we plan to take time out to honor the forgotten legacy of Negro Creek’s Black settlers. We hope to discover the untold stories of Negro Creek, a once-thriving Black settlement whose history has been obscured by time. Led by the Direct Descendants and Community Friends of Negro Creek.
Thursday July 31, 2025 (Rest Day)
Time to explore early Free Black settlements.
Negro Creek’s Mission “Our mission is to honor the forgotten legacy of Negro Creek’s Black settlers through a digital archive and the construction of a stone monument, fostering remembrance and empowerment in partnership with the Township of Chatsworth and the Sheffield Park Black History and Culture Museum. We aim to preserve and celebrate the resilience of our ancestors, inspiring future generations to embrace inclusivity and equity in their communities.
Friday August 1, 2025
Williamsford to Grey Roots Museum & Archive, 19km/12mi
163rd Annual Owen Sound Emancipation Festival, Owen Sound, Ontario
The Emancipation Festival originally called the Emancipation Day Picnic commemorates the British Commonwealth Emancipation Act of August 1, 1834. Since 1862, descendants of those who escaped slavery and found freedom and peace in Canada, have gathered in Owen Sound`s beautiful Harrison Park and other places such as the Grey Roots Museum and Archives over the Civic holiday weekend. This is a time for fellowship and reflection with family and community, to share memories, and to keep the picnic and other traditions alive for future generations.
From the Georgian Bay shoreline to the limestone cliffs and scenic waterfalls of the Niagara Escarpment, the city of Owen Sound is surrounded by an abundance of natural beauty. It is located at the base of the Bruce Peninsula.
Saturday August 2, 2025 (Final Walk Day)
Grey Roots Museum to Harrison Park, 3.9km/2.5 miles
Join the Grey Roots Museum & Archives and Walk to Freedom and the for a free, family fun, guided community walk to Harrison Park on Saturday August 2. Doors to the museum will open at 8:30 a.m and the walk will begin at 9:30 a.m.
Parking is free at the museum and a bus will be available later on at the park to return participants back to their cars for a nominal fee.
Click here to learn about events taking place at the 163rd Annual Owen Sound Emancipation Festival, Harrison Park, Harrison Park – 137 2nd Avenue East, Owen Sound.