Top 10 Trails in Ontario
When travelling to a new area or exploring the great outdoors, many wish to venture through the destination via trail. It’s a great way to get some exercise, breathe in the fresh air and see all that Ontario has to offer. With every fascinating step, you’ll find that Ontario offers a sanctuary in which to appreciate nature.
1) Killarney Park
Killarney Park is equipped with four hiking trails, which include the Granite Ridge Trail, the Chikanishing Trail, the Cranberry Bog Trail and the La Cloche Silhouette Trail. Whichever one you choose, you’ll have a serious of beautiful views.
The Granite Ridge Trail offers breathtaking scenery of the La Cloche Mountains and winds through old fields and forests.
The Chikanishing Trail is for history buffs looking to explore the area. Hikers are able to see old iron rings which were used for mooring lines during logging days. There are also plenty of interactive plaques to tell the story of Georgian Bay.
The Cranberry Bog Trail is filled with bogs, marshes and swamps where you can see beaver feed piles and a variety of bird species. Even turtles make the occasional appearance.
The La Cloche Silhouette Trail takes up to 10 days to hike in its entirety, so if you’re planning on this one, allow for a few days of exploring. It crosses streams and rivers and boasts plenty of wildlife to admire.
2) A.F. Coventry Nature Trail
This 0.7 mile trail is located close to Halton Hills, Ontario and is primarily used for hiking, walking, fishing, camping and snowshoeing when weather permits. It begins near the Nature Centre and winds through various forest communities.
3) The National Trail
This trail covers 6,000 miles across Canada and passes through several parks, including Algonquin park. When you hike the trail, you will be able to see a heritage of natural landscapes, historic places and plenty of wildlife like varying species of birds, squirrels, porcupines and the red fox. Some sections of the trail are more challenging than others, but overall, the pleasure and recreation opportunities appeal to all ages.
4) The Bruce Trail
If you wish to hike the entire Bruce Trail, you’ll need about 30 days. The entire trail is currently 500 miles. Should you desire to see the whole trail, there are organized end-to-end hikes, which run over 1 or 2 weekends. It follows the Niagara Escarpment all the way to the tip of the Bruce Peninsula. Segments of the trail take you through Mono Cliffs Provincial and Bruce Peninsula National parks, where you can admire scenic cliffs and shorelines. For those beginner hikers looking for a view, take the easy 0.6 mile hike which takes you to the beautiful east shore of Horse Lake.
5) The Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail Bike Path
Imaging gliding through this trail on your bike with the sun shining down on you, the sound of water crashing on the shore and a light breeze keeping you cool as you cycle along. The Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail stretches from Trenton to Niagara-on-the-Lake. You’ll see 28 different towns and villages, and more than 100 parks, museums and other attractions. No matter if you’re looking to bike, walk, run or hike, the trail is perfect for all.
6) Avery Park Trail
Those wanting to hike or bike should look no further than this trail. It’s a quick ride through the window of the forest which follows the shore of Hunters Bay. It’s part of the Trans Canada Trail which spans throughout meadows, hay fields, trees and marsh land.
7) Niagara on the Lake Waterfront Trail
Enjoy the fresh breeze blowing off the lake as you hike, bike, walk or run your way through this scenic trail. Along the trail, you’ll discover two historic military forts, plenty of wineries, restaurants, shops and festivals.
8) Frontenac Provincial Park
Located north of the city of Kingston, Ontario, there are a number of places to admire the great outdoors. Take a hike around Arab Lake George, Arkon Lake, Big Salmon Lake, Cedar Lake and more. At Dog Lake, you can find three beaver ponds and even an early 19th century mica mine.
9) Algonquin Provincial Park
This park provides more than a dozen walking trails which are perfect for day hikes. You’ll find plenty of fresh ponds and lakes, rocky ridges, spruce bogs, lush greenery and more. For those who are looking for a longer trek through nature, try one of the backpacking trails which range from four to 48 miles in length.
10) Albion Hills Conservation Area Trails
This trail is filled with hilly terrain which is perfect for hikers. It’s also the oldest conservation area in Ontario and is filled with wildflowers and a variety of bird species including red-shouldered hawks, wild turkeys, blue jays, chickadees, robins and more. At the beginning of these trails, you’ll discover a traditional Portuguese poem speaking of the beauty and importance of the trees. Can you imagine a better way to start a trek through nature?
