A few weeks ago, my sister-in-law and I met up at Heart Lake Conservation Area for a complimentary Treetop Trekking experience. A well-known leader in treetop challenge games and zip line adventures in Eastern Canada, Treetop Trekking officially opened their newest aerial park in Brampton, Ontario earlier this month. Within the forested canopy of the conservation area, you will find six courses ranging in difficulty level from beginner to expert as well as two zip lines that cross right over Heart Lake, the longest zip line measuring at over 900 feet in length.

After gearing up, we joined a group of about a dozen or so adventure seekers for a training session, which everyone must pass before starting the first beginner course regardless of your level of experience. This includes learning how to properly use your carabiners and zip line trolleys, how to pull yourself up if you lose your footing, and how to make your way across the zip line. Then we headed off to the first beginner course - Chickadee!

The beginner courses were relatively close to the ground and the 'games' in between each platform were fairly easy. For a first-timer, it can still be intimidating, especially if you're afraid of heights. I had tried something similar last year when we had visited Blue Mountain Resort so I found it pretty easy yet fun.

After a series of log bridges, cable traverses, and balance logs, we came to a rope swing. While I tried to channel my inner Tarzan, I was grateful that the gap between the two platforms was small enough for me to just step across.

Once we completed the first four courses, we decided to try out the zip line. You are only allotted three hours to try out the whole course so we didn't want to miss out on the zip line. To get there, you have to take a fifth course which is simply a series of ladders and bridges. A guide is there to greet you and outfit you with a pair of gloves, one of which is a thick leather pad you need to use as a break once you near the landing. The zip line takes you across Heart Lake and gives you a breathtaking view of the conservation area. I had tried the zip line at the Scenic Caves Adventure park earlier this summer and the breaking system was different. So I wasn't used to using a leather pad and misplaced it on the cable behind my trolley. Luckily, the first glove prevented any burns to my finger tips. Let's just say I learned my lesson and was more cautious on the second zip line back.