With steady and heavy population growth in Guelph’s south end in recent years, natural areas like Starkey Hill just east of the city appear to be increasingly populated as well.
That was the case over the Easter weekend, as the parking lot at the 735 Arkell Road conservation area overflowed, and solo hikers, couples, and entire families took to the four-kilometer hiking trails on the 37 hectares nature preserve.
That trail system was established and is maintained by the Guelph Hiking Trail Club, and the land is owned by the Grand River Conservation Authority. The area’s streams and wetlands are part of the Grand River watershed.
The often rugged and steep route winds to the top of the highest point of land in Puslinch Township. There are spectacular views of the surrounding countryside from up there, and an exceptional hardwood forest as you move further to the south.
Starkey is characterized by a plantation forest at its north-facing side, which transitions into a deciduous forest consisting of great beech, maple and oak trees. Many of the forest’s mighty ash trees have been cut down as part of the battle against the invasion of emerald ash borer beetle.
Starkey Hill was named after the first European settlers along the foot of the hill, and is situated about one kilometre east of the village of Arkell and Watson Road. A wooden survey tower once sat on its highest point in the early part of the 20th century.
The trillium blossoms are just beginning to emerge at Starkey, along with the leaves and grasses that will shortly turn it into a magnificent green space.
