14 must-see Ontario trails
WHETHER YOU’RE conquering a rocky scramble or
taking a leisurely stroll across a boardwalk, we’ve got
the perfect trail for you.
How many of these must-see trails from around the
province have you explored?
RONDEAU PROVINCIAL PARK
NEYS PROVINCIAL PARK
Island Overlook Trail
Hike up this rustic roadbed to the pagoda and enjoy
a spectacular iconic view of Lake Superior. Stand in
the place where Lawren Harris of the Group of Seven
captured and immortalized Pic Island in his sketches
and paintings. Capture your moment, then sit next to
the artist’s easel (interpretive panel) and read more
about the Group of Seven.
Don’t forget to take a selfie at the top and show it
to staff at the visitor centre to receive your “I hiked to
Pic Island Overlook” button!
Distance: 4.5 km one way, 9 km return
Difficulty: intermediate/advanced (due to steep
steady climb uphill)
Tulip Tree Trail
This barrier-free trail provides a close up look at
Rondeau’s beautiful old growth Carolinian forest.
Hikers will be awed by the towering Tulip Trees and
be surrounded by rare southern species like Sassafras
and Shagbark Hickory trees.
This trail consists of many boardwalks where
you can stop to get a great look at the sloughs and
the wildlife that inhabit them. Birdwatchers flock
to this trail in May to enjoy the songbird migration
and hope to catch a rare glimpse of the endangered
Prothonotary Warbler in its prime breeding habitat.
During the summer months, it’s not uncommon to
see a bright blue flash as a Common Five-lined Skink
dashes across the trail.
Distance: 1.2 km | Difficulty: easy (and barrier-free!)
ESKER LAKES PROVINCIAL PARK
Lonesome Bog Trail
Esker Lakes is on the largest esker/moraine in
Ontario. The trail circles a small, scenic boreal forest
lake, crossing a treed bog at one end. Interpretive
panels along the trail tell the story of the lake and bog,
and point out some of the other features like glacial
erratics moved by glacial ice from the far north.
The mix of forest and wetland habitat are a magnet
for birds – the boreal forest is known as the “songbird
nursery.”
Distance: 1.5 km loop | Difficulty: easy
ARROWHEAD PROVINCIAL PARK
Stubb’s Falls Trail
Who doesn’t love waterfalls? At Stubb’s Falls, the
Little East River rushes down a rock chute.
In spring, enjoy truly spectacular blankets of
trilliums. In fall, this trail is great for leafy colours.
Distance: 2 km | Difficulty: easy
RENÉ BRUNELLE PROVINCIAL PARK
La Vigilance Trail
The path follows the shoreline of Remi Lake
through the boreal forest, with views out across the
lake. One shoreline opening looks out at Airplane
Island, home of a 1920s floatplane base for fire-
spotting aircraft. Forest fire-fighting was in its infancy
in the 1920s, and airplanes has only been around
for a couple of decades, but the deadly Matheson
Fire of 1916 caused Ontario to create a fire-fighting
organisation. “La Vigilance” refers to being on the
lookout for forest fire s.
Distance: 5 km | Difficulty: easy
SAUBLE FALLS PROVINCIAL PARK
Sauble Trail
The Sauble Trail travels through a mixed forest of
hardwoods and red pine plantation. An interpretive
leaflet, with marked stops along the trail, explains
current and historic forest management practices
in the area. This trail also travels through an area
of ancient sand dunes so for their protection, is for
hiking only, no bicycles allowed.
Distance: 2.5 km loop | Difficulty: easy
BONNECHERE PROVINCIAL PARK
MURPHYS POINT PROVINCIAL PARK
Silver Queen Mine Trail
From the Lally Homestead, the Silver Queen Mine
Trail leads to the restored, early-1900s, partially open
pit mica mine. Take in heritage displays and check out
the rebuilt miners’ bunkhouse. Access into the mine
and the bunkhouse is available during mine tours only.
Distance: 2 km partial loop | Difficulty: easy
Footprints in Time (FIT) Trail
The trail follows the meandering Bonnechere River.
The trail features very innovative posts or “museums-
on-a-stick.” It’s a great way for kids to explore
while learning more about traditional Indigenous
knowledge and park history. Some of the signposts
feature instructions for on the spot activities and
sensory games.
Distance: 2 km loop | Difficulty: easy
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