Planning on hiking in Ontario, Canada? Here’s an inside scoop to help you to have the best experience, from a girl who has lived here for 25 years!
What to expect in this blog post:
- Trail Recommendations
- Seasonal Information
- Plants & Wildlife
- Regions
Trail Recommendations
Ontario has so many different regions and trail options, the options truly feel endless. Here are a few of my favourite trails in a variety of areas, and if you want some more recommendations be sure to check out more of my blog posts!
Centennial Ridges at Algonquin Provincial Park
- 10km Loop
- Features a couple of lookouts
- Paid entry into park
- Best in Spring, Summer and Fall
The Crack at Killarney Provincial Park
- 7.6km Out and Back
- Features a couple of lookouts
- Paid entry into park
- Great views year round
Helenbar Lookout Trail at Mississagi Provincial Park
- 8km Loop
- Features a couple of lookouts
- Paid entry into park
- Best in Spring and Summer
Twin Bridges Trail at Chutes Provincial Park
- 5km Loop
- Features waterfalls
- Paid entry into park
- Best in Spring and Summer
Niagara Glen Nature Reserve
- Variety of trails to choose from
- Features lookout and views of gorge
- Paid parking
- Best in Spring and Summer
Hamilton Waterfalls (Sherman Falls, Tiffany Falls, Devils Punchbowl)
- Linear trails all under 1km
- Features views of waterfalls
- Paid parking
- Great views year round
Eagles Nest Lookout near Greater Madawaska
- 2.7km Loop
- Features lookout
- Free parking
- Best in Spring – Fall
Barron Canyon
- 1.3km Loop
- Features lookout of canyon
- Paid entry into park
- Great views year round
Seasonal Information
Ontario has 4 very different seasons – Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall.
Winter includes lots of snow (more snow the more North you are), freezing temperatures, and ice. It also means it’s a great chance to visit frozen waterfalls!
Spring starts off pretty muddy and wet, and ends warm and colourful! This is a season to pack extra “just in case” jackets and splash pants. Frozen waterfalls are all melting, which means the waterfalls have high flow and will be incredible to see!
Summer can range in temperatures from comfortable to way too hot. The beginning of Summer is usually peak bug season, this is the season that is busiest for hiking.
Fall/Autumn is my personal favourite time of year for hiking. Leafs on the trees change from green to yellow to orange to red, and it’s such a sight to behold on trail! Definitely plan to check out a lookout or two during this season.
Plants & Wildlife
It’s always important to be aware of any plants and wildlife you could encounter wherever you’re travelling. Most wildlife you’ll find in Ontario will be in Northern places, however it’s still important to have in mind.
Depending on what season you’re visiting Ontario in, it’s important to research pesky things like Poison Ivy, Tics, Wasps, Mosquitoes, and Horse Flies. Most trails have signs letting you know if it’s an area with any of these pesks.
Have you ever heard of a White Trillium? It’s Ontario’s official flower, and it is actually illegal to pick so if you see one, take a picture and leave it be!
Common animals in Ontario include Beavers, Deer, Moose (especially north), Coyotes, Black Bears, Red Foxes, Canadian Geese, Racoons, Barn Owls and some other ones. You’ll almost definitely come across lots of squirrels!
Regions
Ontario is massive. There is so much here to explore! Planning your trip is going to require looking at all the different regions of Ontario, so let me help guide you through that.
Southern Ontario is the most popular and populated portion. It includes popular places like Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake, Hamilton, Toronto, Barrie, Muskoka, Kitchener-Waterloo, Manitoulin Island. The most popular places to hike in this region are Algonquin Provincial Park, Mono Cliffs Provincial Park, Rockwood Conservation Area, Hamilton Waterfalls, Niagara Glen Nature Centre.
Northern Ontario includes places like Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Wawa, Cochrane, Marathon, Nipigon. The most popular places to hike in this region are Lake Superior Provincial Park, Robertson Cliffs, Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Pukaska National Park, Quetico Provincial Park.
Eastern Ontario includes places like Kingston, Ottawa, Pembroke, Petawawa, Barry’s Bay, Prince Edward County, Bancroft. The most popular places to hike in this region are Eagles Nest Lookout, Bonnechere Provincial Park, Barron Canyon, Bon Echo Provincial Park, Driftwood Provincial Park, Eau Claire Gorge Conservation Area.
Western Ontario includes places like Tobermory, London, Sauble Beach, Owen Sound, Chatham, Tecumseh, Grand Bend and Kincardine. The most popular places to hike in this region are Lions Head Lookout, Flowerpot Island, Point Pelee National Park, The Grotto, MacGregor Point Provincial Park, Pinery Provincial Park, Old Baldy Conservation Area, and Elora Gorge Conservation Area.
Ontario is full of gems, you just have to look for them!
I hope this post helps you to plan a trip to Ontario, Canada. It is a massive, beautiful province full of lots to discover.
If this post inspires you to hike in Ontario, please tag me in your posts – I’d love to see where you end up!
Until next time,
Keep on trekkin’
Kate 🥾
yourmatiekatie 