Name: Birches Run
Rating: 5.0

“Work going up, fly going down. Fun! As with all Birch Brook trails, this trail is beautiful.”

— Betty Anne Fequet

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Need to Know

There is ample parking and during winter, the fully serviced chalet is open. There is no fee for off season running but donations are appreciated.

Runner Notes

The trail surface is uneven for running.

Description

It's hard to have a favorite direction for experiencing the trail. When accessing the route from Games Trail, there's a steady climb right to the Upper Deck turn and then a nice downhill to McLean Lake Trail, but from the other direction, there is a short climb past Melville Lookout, and then a fast downhill. The snowy birch and fir woods are gorgeous.

Off season runners are surrounded by green with glimpses of Gosling Lake through the trees and by rocky knolls that are worthwhile destinations accessed from the trail.

Flora & Fauna

The undergrowth is lush through the birch forest. Run amid ferns and a profusion of wildflowers. The portion of trail between Upper Deck and McLean Lake Trail was previously burnt but regrowth of saplings masks that history. A pleasant legacy of fire is the field of blueberries that ripen late summer.