45 of the Best Hikes in Ontario
For explore’s 45th anniversary, here are 45 of the best hiking trails across Ontario, written and researched meticulously so you can hike each one with peace of mind.
Ontario may be best known for canoe routes, but its hiking trails deserve equal attention.
While the province’s highest point tops out at just 693 metres, Ontario delivers something different: scale, variety and access. From Lake Superior’s rugged shoreline to the cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment, the terrain is shaped by water, rock and time.
These are trails that take you through a landscape, not just up it, spanning backcountry routes, forested ridges, wetlands and culturally significant sites. No matter where I go, Ontario will always my favourite to hike.
This updated guide features 40 of Ontario’s best hikes, mixing iconic routes with lesser-known trails, from full-day challenges to quick, high-reward outings.
1. Onaping Falls (A.Y. Jackson Lookout Trail)
Total distance: 1.5 km loop
Time: 45 minutes–1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
Details: Have you seen Onaping Falls yet? Onaping Falls is only a half-hour northwest of Sudbury, and the view of the falls will take your breath away! Especially in the fall, like when we visited. The A.Y. Jackson Lookout is famous for the Group of Seven artist, A.Y. Jackson, who memorialized this view on his canvas entitled Spring On The Onaping River.
Getting there: Located off Highway 144, approximately 30 minutes northwest of Sudbury.
Trail website: Click here
2. Duchesnay Falls
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Total distance: 3–4 km (network)
Time: 1.5–2 hours
Difficulty: Easy–Intermediate
Details: Duchesnay Falls is one of those hikes where the payoff comes quickly. I didn’t have to spend much time or energy to get to this beauty of a spot. The loop trail is short and sweet, with cascading falls and shaded pathways. It’s waterfalls right at the start that keep pulling you in.
There are plenty of side trails that offer great options to further explore the area.
Getting there: Take Highway 17 west out of North Bay for approximately 10 minutes. Parking is available at the trailhead.
Trail website: Click here
3. Devil’s Rock Lookout
Total distance: 4 or 6 km return
Time: 2–3 hours
Difficulty: Intermediate
Details: There are two trails that get to this incredible lookout. There is a shorter two kilometre access from Highway 567 or a three kilometre route from Bucke Park, which is a steady, rocky ascent that requires more agility. Both paths culminate at the dramatic cliff-top lookout over Lake Timiskaming and the Quebec shoreline, with one of the most dramatic views in all of Ontario—91-metre (300 feet) cliff edge that requires common sense and not getting too close to the ledge.
Getting there: From Highway 11, take Lake Temagami Access Road and follow signs to the Devil’s Rock trailhead. Limited parking available.
Learn more: Click here
4. White Trail Loop – Eau Claire Gorge Conservation Area
Total distance: 2–3 km
Time: 1–2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Details: A short but scenic loop leading to a dramatic gorge carved by the Amable du Fond River. The 2.75 kilometre interpretive trail highlights waterfalls, whitewater rapids and exposed rock faces, with boardwalks and rustic stairs guiding you through low and steep sections. You’ll also pass remnants of a 1870s log slide and dam from the area’s logging era.
Getting there: From the HWY 17/630 junction, head south on HWY 630 and turn right onto Peddlers Drive. Turn right at Graham Road, where parking is found at the end.
Trail website: Click here
5. Abitibi Canyon / New Post Falls
Total distance: 1–2 km
Time: 30–60 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Details: A remote northern stop featuring powerful falls plunging into a narrow gorge along the Abitibi River. Expect misty, dramatic views and a surprisingly accessible trail network with canyon-overlook viewpoints. This is one of the most striking (and still under-the-radar) waterfalls in Northeastern Ontario. And if you’re venturing all the way up to Cochrane… might as well take the time to explore this waterfall too!
Getting there: Located northeast of Cochrane via Highway 652. Expect a long drive and limited services; plan accordingly.
Learn more: Click here
6. Willisville Fire Lookout (Heaven’s Gate Trail System)
Total distance: 12 km
Time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Intermediate
Details: A rewarding climb through forest to a high-elevation lookout over the Spanish River Valley. Part of the Heaven’s Gate Trail system, this route offers a quieter alternative to more heavily trafficked lookouts. Not that these trails are heavily trafficked, it’s just nice to be more alone sometimes.
Getting there: Access via Willisville, west of Sudbury and Whitefish Falls. Parking can be found at two locations on Bay of Islands Drive, at the end of Dump Road or on Willisville Road.
Learn more: Click here
7. Temagami Island Trails (Old-Growth Pines)
Total distance: 5–10 km (varies by route)
Time: 2–5 hours
Difficulty: Intermediate
Details: A network of trails weaving through rare stands of old-growth red and white pine. These forests are ecologically significant and culturally important to the Temagami region, offering a glimpse into pre-settlement landscapes.
Getting there: Access is typically by boat to islands or via Finlayson Point Provincial Park.
Learn more: Click here
8. White Bear Forest Old Growth Trail (Temagami Fire Tower)/ Finlayson Point Provincial Park
Total distance: 20 km
Time: Up to 8 hours
Difficulty: Easy-intermediate
Details: An interconnected trail network through 800 hectares of old-growth red and the the largest remaining stands of white pine, including a short but steep hike to a historic fire tower overlooking Lake Temagami. The summit provides panoramic views across forest and water, with the tower itself a reminder of the region’s forestry history.
Access: Reach the trailhead via Ski Hill Road (off O’Connor Drive) to Temagami Trails Chalet at Caribou Mountain Ski Hill; park here.
Park website: Click here
9. Bridal Veil Falls
Total distance: 1.3 km
Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Details: One of Manitoulin Island’s most photographed waterfalls! A short trail along the Kagawong River and a staircase lead to the base of a waterfall that’s 34 metres in height, cascading over a limestone ledge. This is easily one of the most exciting waterfalls to explore because you can walk right behind it and be in the water at its base in warmer weather.
Getting there: Located in Billings, Ontario on Manitoulin Island. Parking available near the trailhead.
Learn More: Click here
10. Cup and Saucer Trail
Total distance: 12 km (full loop with Adventure Trail)
Time: 4–6 hours
Difficulty: Intermediate
Details: A signature Manitoulin Island hike featuring cliffs along the Niagara Escarpment. The main trail offers sweeping vistas and those Instagram-worthy shots, while the Adventure Trail adds ladders, narrow passages and more technical sections. Both are a lot of fun. Not suitable for flip-flop footwear!
Getting there: Located at the junction of Highway 540 and Bidwell Rd, on Manitoulin Island. Well-marked trailhead with parking.
11. The Crack (Killarney Provincial Park)
Total distance: 6 km return
Time: 3–5 hours
Difficulty: Intermediate–Challenging
Details: One of Ontario’s most iconic hikes in Killarney Provincial Park, and one of the province’s bucket list hikes. It’s at the top of my list to tackle! The trail climbs through forest and boulder fields before squeezing through a dramatic rock fissure (“the crack”) to reach panoramic views of Georgian Bay and the La Cloche Mountains.
From all accounts I’ve gathered, this is a trail that humbles you. Don’t show up here unprepared.
Getting there: Access via Highway 637 to Killarney Provincial Park. Parking at the Crack trailhead (permit required).
Learn More: Click here
12. Ishpatina Ridge Tower Summit (Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park)
Total distance: 20+ km (varies by route)
Time: Full day to multi-day
Difficulty: Challenging
Details: The highest point in Ontario at 693 metres, located within Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park. You can hike this and say you’re the highest person in Ontario at that moment!
Routes involve long backcountry travel by foot and/or canoe, culminating in a fire tower climb with sweeping views over the Temagami wilderness.
Getting there: The trail starts where they took out an old bridge for logging. Advanced planning and navigation skills are essential on this hike.
Learn More: Click here
13. Top of the Giant (Sleeping Giant Provincial Park)
Total distance: 23 km return
Time: 7–8 hours
Difficulty: Hard
Details: A true Ontario bucket-list hike ending at one of the most dramatic viewpoints in the province and the highest vertical drop in the province. Towering cliffs drop straight into Lake Superior, with panoramic views that feel more like the coast than inland Canada. It’s long and demanding, but the payoff is unmatched. I consider this hikes as one of my biggest accomplishments.
Whenever my kids say they can’t do something, I remind them that they hiked this.
Getting there: Trailheads within Sleeping Giant Provincial Park; day-use permit required.
Learn More: Click here
14. Sea Lion Trail (Sleeping Giant Provincial Park)
Total distance: 2-3 km return
Time: 1–2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Details: A short, but rewarding hike to the “Sea Lion,” a striking rock formation rising out of Lake Superior. Honestly, it’s short, but it’s so pretty. Amazing warm up to Top of the Giant. The trail delivers shoreline views and a quick hit of that big, wild Superior energy without committing to a full-day trek.
This trail is really popular for birding and fishing.
Getting there: South Kabeyun Trailhead; park permit required.
Learn More: Click here
15. Ouimet Canyon Trail – Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park
Total distance: 2 km loop
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Details: An easy, highly accessible loop with boardwalks leading to jaw-dropping canyon viewpoints. Even though the day I visited, there was fog and cloud cover, it was still amazing. Sheer rock walls plunge into a hidden valley below, often holding ice and rare arctic plants well into summer.
The trail is accessible, stroller and child-friendly.
Getting there: Off Hwy 11/17, northeast of Thunder Bay; the trailhead is at the parking area.
Learn More: Click here
16. Pines Hiking Trail – Quetico Provincial Park
Total distance: 10 km loop
Time: 3–4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Details: An extension of the Whiskey Jack Trail, this is quiet, scenic loop through towering red and white pines, showcasing Quetico’s iconic backcountry landscape without needing to paddle in. Expect forest solitude, lake views and that deep, northern stillness you come here for.
Interested in backcountry camping on this trail? You can. Obtain a permit in advance!
Access: Near Dawson Trail Campground, located on French Lake, in the northeast corner of the park.
Learn More: Click here
17. Fairy Lake Trail – Georgian Bay Islands National Park
Total distance: 6.5 km
Time: 3 to 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Details: A peaceful loop on Beausoleil Island’s north end that blends scenic hiking with cultural storytelling. Along the way, you’ll encounter interpretive elements sharing Anishinaabe perspectives on the land, adding real depth to what might otherwise be a simple walk.
The trail leads to Fairy Lake—a quiet, reflective spot that feels a world away from the mainland. It’s an easy hike, but one that sticks with you.
Getting there: Located on Beausoleil Island in Georgian Bay Islands National Park, about two hours north of Toronto, this trail is only accessible by boat. Bring your own, or take the DayTripper or a water taxi from Honey Harbour.
Park website: Click here
Georgian Bay Islands National Park trail listing: Click here
18. Coastal Hiking Trail – Pukaskwa National Park
Total distance: 60 km
Time: 5–7 days
Difficulty: Hard
Details: Ontario’s most rugged long-distance hike, tracing a remote stretch of Lake Superior’s coastline. Expect suspension bridges, technical terrain and true backcountry conditions—this is for experienced hikers looking for a full wilderness immersion.
Access: Trailheads from Hattie Cove; backcountry permits required.
Learn more: Click here
19. Coastal Trail – Lake Superior Provincial Park
Total distance: 65 km
Time: 5 to 7 days (or day trips)
Difficulty: Moderate/Advanced
Details: This trail traces the Lake Superior coastline, running from Agawa Bay to Chalfant Cove. Along this trail hikers encounter scenic cliffs, cobblestone beaches and plenty of wooded areas. There are several access points (Sinclair Cove, Katherine Cove or Agawa), so you can spend as much or as little time on the trail as you want.
Access: A few options for access! Gargantua Road, Orphan Lake Trail, Coldwater River, Katherine Cove, Sinclair Cove, and Agawa Bay. Those who hike it end-to-end will want to arrange a shuttle pick-up.
Park website: Click here
20. Hilton Falls Trail (Hilton Falls Conservation Area)
Distance: 4 km loop
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Details: a spectacular 10-metre waterfall is the pièce de résistance and reward for your easy hike.It’s a great place to go on a hot day to cool off, feel the mist from the water and get amazing Instagram shots. Families can enjoy a picnic at one of the tables by the top of the falls or roast marshmallows in the evening. This is honestly one of my favourite hikes to take. I’ve been visiting for about 25 years!
Getting there: Take 5 Sideroad to Campbellville Road. Follow the signs.
Read more: Click here
21. Rattlesnake Point (Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area)
Distance: 6.5 km loop
Time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Details: Just a six-kilometre bike ride or quick car ride from the Hilton Falls Conservation Area parking lot is the Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area. Head out to the Buffalo Crag lookout for one of the best views of the Niagara escarpment. Trivia for fans of Schitt’s Creek—this is the conservation area where Patrick proposed to David on the episode called “The Hike.” My kids and I have been here so many times!
Getting there: Appleby Line, south of the 401. Please note that like Hilton Falls, there are entrance fees.
Read more: Click here
22. Mount Nemo Loop Trail (Mount Nemo Conservation Area)
Distance: 7 km loop
Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Details: If you want to avoid crowds, this is the place to go. Mount Nemo is gorgeous, and has caves and vultures circling in the air. Always a treat for a family hike here. Here, you can go rock climbing, and it’s open year-round and boasts a lookout where the CN Tower can be spotted on a clear day, even though you’re miles away.
Getting there: Off Guelph Line, north of Burlington. Entrance fees apply.
Read more: Click here
23. Dundas Peak and Tews Falls (Spencer Gorge Conservation Area)
Distance: 2.9 km loop
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Details: This is a really popular, easy-to-moderate trail, and once you get there, you will see exactly why—this trail is a double whammy. Waterfalls and an amazing look out! On your way to the Dundas Peak lookout point, which gives you an amazing view of Dundas and Hamilton, you are treated to a great view of Tew’s Falls.
No, you cannot reach the bottom of the falls. And please, please do not try to get on the other side of the fence at Dundas Peak, it’s dangerous, and people have had to be rescued.
Getting there: The parking lot for the trailhead is at the end of Falls View Road at 590 Harvest Road. Reservations are not required, but you do have to pay here to park.
Read more: Click here
24. Cliff Top Side Trail (Mono Cliffs Provincial Park)
Distance: 8 km
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Details: Getting to the Cliff Top Side Trail at Mono Cliffs takes you a bit of time, but it’s worth it. What’s a hike without a lookout? Judging from this list, they’re my favourite kind. This is where the Bruce Trail and the Cliff-Top Side trail meet, and it will give you an awesome view! You’ll also find a small boardwalk into “caves” that tell you how they were formed in the area not too far from the look out.
Getting there: The parking lot for this day use provincial park is just off 3rd Line, north of Mono Centre. A valid park permit is required to visit Mono Cliffs Provincial Park.
Read more: Click here
25. Murphy’s Pinnacle Lookout (Boyne Valley Provincial Park)
Distance: 1 km
Time: 0.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Details: A short, easy walk to a scenic escarpment lookout, especially stunning in fall when the valley below explodes in colour (and yes, your hair might match the trees). Big views for minimal effort, making this a perfect quick-stop hike or add-on to a day in the area.
Getting there: Within Boyne Valley Provincial Park; roadside parking nearby, no facilities (no outhouses even).
Learn more: Click here
26. Hoggs Falls to Eugenia Falls – Hoggs Falls to Eugenia Falls Conservation Area
Total distance: 12 km
Time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Details: A scenic point-to-point Bruce Trail hike linking two standout waterfalls, with rolling elevation, forested sections and plenty of creek crossings along the way. Starting at Hoggs Falls builds to a satisfying finish at Eugenia Falls.
Expect a mix of hills (with breaks between), well-maintained trails, bridges and a few benches to reset. This trail gets muddy, even after a few dry days, so wear proper footwear.
Bonus: you can climb down to the base of Hoggs Falls using the rope section if you’re up for a little adventure.
Getting there: Start at Hoggs Falls parking area (Grey Road 30) and finish at Eugenia Falls Conservation Area (parking fees apply). Arrange a shuttle or plan your return.
Learn More: Click here
27. Old Baldy – Old Baldy Conservation Area
Total distance: 1 km
Time: 30–60 minutes
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Details: Short, steep and straight to the point. Climb the wooden stairs and you’re rewarded with one of the best views over the Beaver Valley, 152 metres up is especially breathtaking in fall.
Getting there: Off Grey Road 13; small parking area at the base.
Learn More: Click here
28. Skinner’s Bluff
Total distance: 9 km
Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Details: A longer, quieter Bruce Trail hike through forest off an old logging road, with only occasional glimpses of Georgian Bay teasing you along the way. The trail is well-marked and relatively easy underfoot, with minor roots and rocks.
The payoff comes when the forest opens up along Skinner’s Bluff and the escarpment stretches out above the water. From here, you’ll spot White Cloud, Griffiths and Hay Island rising out of the bay, worth every step to get there. Exercise caution on the lookout points—there are no barriers.
Getting there: This is one of those places that’s kind of hidden, and you have to be really determined to find access to it. Head east on Colpoy’s Range Road. Parking is available along the roadside before the road descends a steep hill. Look for Bruce Trail blazes.
Learn More: Click here
29. The Grotto – Bruce Peninsula National Park
Total distance: Various lengths of hike – can be 18km
Time: 1.5–2 hours to all day
Difficulty: Moderate to hard
Details: One of Ontario’s most iconic hikes, leading to Indian Head Cove and the Grotto, a sea cave carved into 400-million-year-old dolomite by wave erosion. The water here is unreal, that signature Georgian Bay turquoise that barely looks real in photos.
This entire area sits within a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, home to ancient cedar trees (some over 1,000 years old), rare orchids and the endangered Massasauga rattlesnake.
Getting there: For quick visitsfrom Cyprus Lake campground and parking lot; timed parking reservations required in peak season.
Learn More: Click here
30. Singhampton Caves & Nottawasaga Lookout – Nottawasaga Lookout Provincial Nature Reserve
Total distance: 2.5–3.5 km loop
Time: 1–2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate–Challenging
Details: A fun, slightly rugged hike through one of the most unique landscapes on the Niagara Escarpment. The Singhampton Caves feature a network of 30–40 limestone crevice caves that can hold ice well into warmer months.
The trail also leads to Freedom Rock and a high-elevation lookout with views over the valley. Terrain ranges from straightforward trail to narrow, rocky passages and short, steep climbs, so expect to use your hands in spots.
Getting there: Located near Singhampton (approx. 516519 12th Line). Limited roadside parking; follow Bruce Trail blazes. This is a non-operating Provincial Nature Reserve, no facilities, no fees.
Learn More: Click here
31. Barron Canyon Trail – Algonquin Provincial Park
Total distance: 1.5 km loop
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Details: This is a short trail I did with toddlers, but has a massive payoff! The view of towering cliffs drop into Barron Canyon below, carving one of the most dramatic landscapes in Algonquin. The lookout sits high above the river, delivering serious “edge-of-the-world” energy. There are no guardrails, so hold the little ones tightly.
Getting there: Off Barron Canyon Road (east side of Algonquin); seasonal access road.
Learn More: Click here
32. Track and Tower Trail – Algonquin Provincial Park
Total distance: 8 km loop
Time: 2–4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Details: This is a trail I’ve only ever tried when in Algonquin for winter camping and I’ve always been met with freezing rain! One of the best all-around hikes in Algonquin, especially if you’re looking for a bit of a challenge. The trail pack in a lot—boardwalks, bridges, small waterfalls, rapids, a dam and sections of old railway before climbing a long staircase to a ridge with standout lookouts over Cache Lake.
Expect muddy conditions in spring and summer, so proper footwear is key. In winter, snowshoes, and sometimes crampons, are strongly recommended.
Getting there: Along Hwy 60 corridor; park permit required.
Learn More: Click here
33. Eagle’s Nest Lookout
Total distance: 3 km return
Time: 1–2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Details: This is a short, but challenging hike to one of Ontario’s most jaw-dropping cliff-edge lookouts. The drop is steep, the views stretch across the Ottawa Valley and it feels wildly exposed, in the best way. Like you’re staring off across the edge of Ontario.
Getting there: Near Calabogie; follow local signage. Parking is informal, across the higway and limited.
Learn More: Click here
34. Rock Dunder – Rock Dunder Conservation Area
Total distance: 3.9 km loop
Time: 2–3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Details: You climb through mature forest and along shoreline sections, finishing at a soaring lookout over the Rideau Waterway. It’s been a local landmark for generations, and once you hit that rocky summit, it’s easy to see why. We’ve been going since we were kids.
The property has a strong conservation story too: once owned by Scouts Canada, it’s now protected and maintained by the Rideau Waterway Land Trust and Rideau Trail Association.
Getting there: Open sunrise to sunset, May 15 to November 15. Exit off of Highway 15 south of the town of Morton.
Learn More: Click here
35. Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge Trail – Ferris Provincial Park
Total distance: ~2–4 km
Time: 1–2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Details: This is the town of Campbellford’s biggest attraction! A trail with a 300-foot (91.4 metre) suspension bridge stretching high above the Trent River with killer views of Ranney Falls, no matter the season. I’ve done this in winter, summer, fall and spring, and it hits every single time. It’s also part of the Trans Canada Trail, so you’re literally walking a piece of the longest trail network in the world.
Getting there: Within Ferris Provincial Park; day-use permit required or access from the town of Campbellford.
Learn more: Click here
36. Abes & Essens Trail – Bon Echo Provincial Park
Total distance: 17 km loop
Time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Hard
Details: There is a different side of Bon Echo than what it’s known for. People come for the petroglyphs on the rocks in Mazinaw Lake and don’t even know this amazing hike exists.
A long, rugged loop offering some of the best backcountry-style hiking in southern Ontario. Expect ridgeline views over Mazinaw Lake, forested sections and a true sense of solitude the deeper you go. Really peaceful and a great hike to escape reality for a day because there’s no cell phone service. There are backcountry campsites here as well that can be booked in advance.
Getting there: From Bon Echo campgrounds; park permit required.
Learn more: Click here
37. Crest of Kennisis Trail
Total distance: 6 km one-way
Time: 2–3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Details: A scenic ridge hike through classic Haliburton Highlands terrain, with steady elevation and rewarding lookout points along the way. The trail builds toward its natural finish at the Circuit of Five Viewpoints trailhead, where you can extend your hike or call it a day. Along the way you see forested sections, exposed rock and glimpses of surrounding lakes as you gain elevation.
Getting there: Typically accessed from Kennisis Lake Road; ends at the Circuit of Five Viewpoints trailhead. Plan your route as a one-way or arrange a return. The best way to do it is go with a friend and drop a vehicle off at the end point.
Learn more: Click here
38. Blueberry Mountain – Blueberry Mountain
Total distance: ~3 km return
Time: 1.5–2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Details: A short but steady climb to a wide-open summit with sweeping views over the Ottawa Valley. It’s especially stunning in fall, but delivers year-round with exposed rock, forested sections and that classic “earned it” feeling at the top.
Here’s a hot tip from me to you: the final stretch opens up fast, don’t rush it. Take your time and soak in the view once you hit the summit.
Getting there: 502 Hills of Peace Rd, Lanark
Learn more: Click here
39. Dorset Lookout Tower – Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower
Total distance: ~2.3 km loop
Time: 1–2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Details: A steady climb through mixed forest leads to one of the best panoramic views in Muskoka. The trail has some steep sections, but the payoff is worth it.
At the top, the historic tower (built in 1967 on the site of an original fire tower) gives you sweeping views over lakes and forest that feel endless. This is definitely the place to linger and enjoy what you accomplished.
Getting there: Turn off Hwy 35 onto Dorset Scenic Tower Road; trail begins behind the Dorset Heritage Museum.
Learn more: Click here
40. Point Pelee Marsh Boardwalk – Point Pelee National Park
Total distance: 1 km
Time: 30–60 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Details: Not your typical hike, but absolutely worth the list. A peaceful boardwalk through marshland at the southernmost tip of mainland Canada, known for birding, wildlife, and calm water views. Can definitely visit in all seasons and with the family. The trail is accessible, stroller and child-friendly.
Access: Within Point Pelee National Park; park entry fee required.
Learn more: Click here
41. Bluff Trail – Awenda Provincial Park
Total distance: 13 km
Time: 3 to 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Details: Beautiful deciduous forest, great views of Georgian Bay, trilliums and birdwatching await you on the Bluff Trail. Bluff Trail a circular 13 km route with little in the way of elevation gain. Its rating simply comes from its length. Side trails within the park offer a chance to extend this hike.
Getting there: There are several access points to this trail, throughout the park. Specifically, Bluff Trail intersects Awenda Park Road in two spots.
Park website: Click here
Trail website: Click here
42. Mizzy Lake Trail – Algonquin Provincial Park
Total distance: 11 km
Time: 5 to 8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Details: While hiking this trail, you’ll pass nine different ponds and small lakes, plenty of which are home to resident beavers. The trail winds through a sensitive wetland, so expect to leave pups at home. Keep your eyes on the trail—this one can be quite rocky and rooted.
How do I get to the Mizzy Lake trailhead? The Mizzy Lake Trail is located at kilometre 15.4 on Highway 60. Look for signs on the highway to find the trailhead
Trail website: Click here
Park website: Click here
43. White River Suspension Bridge Hiking Trail – Pukaskwa National Park
Total distance: 18 km
Time: Done as a day-hike
Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
Details: This rugged trail will take you through thick boreal forest, wetlands, Canadian Shield and a stunted jackpine forest. About halfway to the bridge, you’ll arrive at a secluded beach at Playter Harbour. It’s a great rest spot to eat before continuing on. This is also a good place to turn back if you don’t intend to trek to the bridge. The White River Suspension Bridge is an impressive sight, spanning 30 metres and standing 23 metres above Chigamiwinigum Falls. This is the first leg of the Coastal Hiking Trail.
Getting there: Follow Trans-Canada Highway 17 to Highway 627. Take Highway 627 for 15 km to Pukaskwa National Park and the Hattie Cove Campground and Day Use Area.
Park website: Click here
Trail website: Click here
44. H.R. Frink Conservation Area
Total distance: 1–8 km (various loops)
Time: 1–3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Details: A network of easy, well-maintained trails winding through forest, wetlands and boardwalks, perfect for a low-key hike with lots of variety. Expect peaceful paths, wildlife spotting and a few interpretive elements along the way.
Here’s a hot tip from me to you: this is a great shoulder-season hike, less crowded, still beautiful and ideal when you want to get outside without committing to a full-day trek.
Getting there: Located just north of Belleville off Thrasher Road; parking available on-site.
Learn More: Click here
45. Casques Isles Trail – Casques Isles Trail
Total distance: 53 km (full trail)
Time: Multi-day or section hikes
Difficulty: Moderate–Hard
Details: A rugged coastal trail hugging Lake Superior’s north shore, with a mix of cliff-top views, cobble beaches, and forested sections. Suspension bridges and constant elevation changes keep it interesting, whether you’re tackling a day section or going full backcountry.
Access: Multiple access points between Terrace Bay and Rossport.
Learn more: Click here
