Hikes in Ontario

As Canada’s second largest province, it should be no surprise that Ontario is a fantastic place to get outside and explore the natural beauty of the wild landscapes on offer there. The province features six national parks and 280 provincial parks, providing a wealth of opportunities for day hikes and multi-day backpacking treks that can take place on over 80,000.0 km of trails. With such a large number of hiking routes and a great diversity of terrain, it’s easy to see why over 800,000 Ontarians and countless visitors utilize the trail networks in the province every year.

A hiking excursion in Ontario can take many different forms, ranging from brief hour-long strolls through a public park to a multi-day trek along the 890.0 km expanse of the Bruce Trail that cuts across the southern portion of the province. Beginner hikers and seasoned outdoor enthusiasts alike will feel at home here, as the main contributor to the difficulty of a hike is the overall length, as opposed to technical terrain. That is not to say that there aren’t any challenging hikes in the province, far from it; however, the lack of any mountainous terrain means that your focus will largely be on physical fitness rather than technical knowledge or prowess. Even still, the breathtaking scenery and stunning landscapes across the province make for a wonderful experience, no matter where you are or what season it may be, so why not make the wild expanse of Ontario the destination of your next hiking adventure.

What’s New in 2026

• The Grotto now needs a parking reservation, and without one you cannot go. Bruce Peninsula National Park requires a confirmed, timed parking reservation for the Cyprus Lake lot serving the Grotto from 1 May to 31 October, and for Halfway Log Dump from 19 June to 7 September. Slots run about four hours, drop-offs are not permitted, and walking in along Cyprus Lake Road is not allowed, so when parking is full there is simply no access that day. Book well ahead if you are heading for hiking on the Bruce Peninsula and Grey Highlands.
• Park admission is free for much of the summer, but that does not mean walk-up access. Under the Canada Strong Pass, entry to Parks Canada sites including Bruce Peninsula National Park is free from 19 June to 7 September 2026, with discounted camping. Parking fees and the reservation requirement still apply exactly as normal, which catches out a lot of visitors who assume free admission means they can turn up on the day.
• Check for trail closures on the Bruce Trail before a long drive. Sections of the Bruce Trail in the national park, including the stretch from the Crane Lake Road parking area to High Dump, have been closed because of flooding and unsafe conditions. The Bruce Trail crosses a great deal of private land held under licence, and reroutes and closures happen regularly, so check the current status of your section with the Bruce Trail Conservancy or Parks Canada before setting out.
• Plan around ticks, bugs and the seasons. Blacklegged ticks are established across much of southern and eastern Ontario and can carry Lyme disease, so wear long trousers on grassy or brushy trails, use repellent, and check yourself afterwards. Blackflies and mosquitoes peak from late May into June, especially in Algonquin. Autumn is the finest hiking season in the province, with the Algonquin colours usually peaking from late September into early October.

Where to Hike in Ontario

• hiking in Algonquin Provincial Park: Ontario’s oldest and most famous park, a vast expanse of Canadian Shield rock, lakes and maple forest three hours north of Toronto. Short interpretive trails and ridge lookouts, superb autumn colour, and a good chance of moose.
• hiking on the Bruce Peninsula and Grey Highlands: The most dramatic hiking in southern Ontario, where the Niagara Escarpment meets the turquoise water of Georgian Bay. Clifftop trails, the Grotto sea cave, Lion’s Head and the waterfalls of the Beaver Valley.
• hiking in the Niagara region: Escarpment country close to the cities, with a string of waterfalls around Hamilton and St Catharines, the Niagara Gorge and whirlpool, and easy access to long stretches of the Bruce Trail.
• hiking in Toronto: Far greener than most visitors expect, with deep ravine systems, the Don and Humber river valleys, the Scarborough Bluffs above Lake Ontario and long waterfront paths, most of it reachable by transit.

The Best Hikes in Ontario

1. Halfway Log Dump to the Grotto - the classic Georgian Bay shoreline walk, climbing the rocky escarpment between two of the most photographed spots in the province, Indian Head Cove and the Grotto sea cave. Both ends need a timed parking reservation in season, so book before you drive.
2. Lion’s Head Loop - arguably the finest day hike in Ontario, tracing a rugged clifftop bluff high above the blue water of Georgian Bay before returning through quiet forest. It runs over capacity most summer weekends, so start early.
3. Centennial Ridges Trail - the best viewpoint hike in Algonquin, climbing over Canadian Shield ridges to panoramas across an unbroken sea of forest and lakes. Tougher than most park trails, but well within reach of a fit beginner.
4. Booth’s Rock Trail - a short climb to arguably the best lookout in Algonquin, gazing down over Rock Lake, with an old railway bed making the return leg easy.
5. Mount Nemo Loop - an easy escarpment walk outside Burlington that delivers a genuinely dramatic clifftop view over the farmland of southern Ontario, and a favourite spot for watching turkey vultures ride the updrafts.
6. Flowerpot Island Loop Trail - a boat ride from Tobermory to an island of sea stacks weathered into giant flowerpots, with a short loop through inland forest and along the shore. The ferry is a separate booking and only runs in season.
7. Track and Tower Trail - a varied Algonquin loop past waterfalls, rivers and lakes with a fine lookout partway round, and a good chance of spotting moose or black bear along the way.
8. Ball’s Falls Loop - a gentle Niagara escarpment loop combining two waterfalls with a preserved 19th-century milling village, making it as good for a family afternoon as for the walking.

When is the Best Time to Hike in Ontario?

Autumn is the standout. From late September into mid-October the maple forests of Algonquin, the Beaver Valley and the escarpment turn gold and scarlet, the air is cool for walking, and the bugs have gone. It is also the busiest time in the honeypot spots, so book parking and accommodation early.

Summer is warm and reliable, and the best time for the Georgian Bay water, but it brings crowds to the Bruce Peninsula and mosquitoes to the northern woods. Spring is quieter and green, with trilliums through the escarpment forests in late April and May, though trails are often muddy and blackflies arrive by late May. Winter hiking and snowshoeing are excellent across the province if you have traction underfoot, and city ravine trails in Toronto stay walkable nearly year-round.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hiking in Ontario

Do you need a reservation to hike to the Grotto?

You need a parking reservation, and it is strictly enforced. Bruce Peninsula National Park requires a confirmed timed parking permit for the Cyprus Lake lot from 1 May to 31 October, in slots of about four hours, and Halfway Log Dump requires one from 19 June to 7 September. Once the lot is full there is no further access that day, drop-offs are not allowed, and you may not walk in along Cyprus Lake Road. Campers staying at Cyprus Lake can walk to the Grotto from their site.

What is the longest hiking trail in Ontario?

The Bruce Trail, at over 900 km from Queenston on the Niagara River to Tobermory at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula, with more than 450 km of side trails on top. It is Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath and follows the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Most people walk it in day-length sections rather than end to end, and camping is only permitted at designated sites.

Are there ticks on Ontario hiking trails?

Yes. Blacklegged ticks are established through much of southern and eastern Ontario, including the Niagara Escarpment corridor, and some carry Lyme disease. Stay on the trail, wear long trousers and light colours in grassy or brushy sections, use an insect repellent, and check yourself, your children and your dog once you finish. Removing a tick promptly greatly reduces the risk.

Where is the best fall colour hiking in Ontario?

Algonquin Provincial Park is the classic choice, with the maple ridges usually peaking from late September into the first week of October, and lookout trails such as Centennial Ridges and Booth’s Rock making the most of it. The Beaver Valley around Old Baldy and the escarpment above Collingwood run a week or two later and are far quieter.