Ontario is full of scenic hiking trails that total over 80,000 kilometres. They provide sanctuaries for wildlife, like colorful butterflies and breeding birds, and are great spaces for us to recharge. No matter the season, it’s always a wonderful time to grab your camera, binoculars, and hiking shoes and step out into nature. Here are some of my favorite spots.
Hemlock Bluff
A trail that I love at Algonquin Provincial Park is Hemlock Bluff, a 3.5-kilometre walk that takes you to an elevated view of Jack Lake. As the name suggests, the trail is full of green hemlock strands. You might even spot a beaver working away at its dam.
Hemlock Bluff trail, Algonquin Provincial Park © Helena Jacoba CC BY 2.0
Brickworks Trail
Despite being a big city, Toronto offers plenty of scenic nature spots that are easy to get to from downtown. One of these places is Evergreen Brickworks, an eco-complex, learning hub and a market in the east end.
The 2-kilometre Brickworks Trail is good for those who don’t have time or a vehicle to access remote areas. Look for common snapping turtles when you bypass the pond along your way. Once you reach the top of the hill, you’ll be rewarded with a sweeping view of the Don Valley and Toronto’s skyline.
Sandbanks Dunes Trail
Sand dunes? In Ontario? It’s true! Located in Prince Edward County, Sandbanks Provincial Park provides visitors with fantastic beaches, hikes, and opportunities for birdwatching and identifying plants. The Dunes Trail is a 2-kilometre loop with spectacular views of the dunes that resemble anthills from above, with Lake Ontario just behind them.
Sandbanks Provincial Park © Martin Cathrae CC BY-SA 2.0
If you are feeling adventurous, try the 46-kilometre Millennium Trail that runs from Consecon to Picton.
Lakehead Loop
Lakehead Loop is a 1.5-kilometre leisure trail that winds through the heart of the Canadian Shield. Throughout this trek, you’ll come across different species of trees, most notably the red oak, cedar, and black ash. The trail is a part of Silent Lake Provincial Park, and it’s a wonderful spot for camping, canoeing, biking, and other outdoor activities.
Barred owl, Silent Lake Provincial Park © Colin J. McMechan CC BY 2.0
Birdwatching and exercising are a few of the best reasons to go hiking in Ontario. After all, connecting with nature has amazing health benefits, and it’s the perfect way to reduce your screen time.
Please always remember to remain on designated pathways to avoid disturbing any sensitive vegetation.
Happy hiking!
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