Hikes in Ontario

The Bat Lake Trail is a nice and easy hiking route within Algonquin Provincial Park that provides some beautifully scenic views of the surrounding woodland landscape and the chance to hike along several small lakes. While out on the trail, you will make your way through a variety of terrain, including forested paths, creekside walkways, and wooden boardwalks. The route also features a few short climbs; however, the majority of the terrain is perfectly suited for a fun family hike.

Hiking the Flowerpot Island Loop Trail is a fun experience near Tobermory that will see you take a scenic boat ride to a small island to explore its inland forests and coastal areas. While out on the trail, you will be able to check out the namesake of the island, a series of unique rock formations that have weathered severely over time and now resemble giant flower pots towering above the water. Pair this hike with a weekend of camping on the island for the ultimate outdoor experience.

Also known as the Martin Goodman Waterfront Trail, the Toronto Waterfront Trail is a long multi-use route that provides a great recreation space for people in the city to get out and enjoy the outdoors. This trail will take you along the shoreline of Lake Ontario from the Humber Bay to Harbour Square Park, providing access to countless public spaces, businesses, and recreation areas along the water’s edge. With little in the way of elevation gain, well-maintained paths, and beautiful scenery, this route is perfectly suited for a fun family outing in the city.

The Scarlet Tanager to Hemlock Valley Hike is a moderate length route near St. Catherines that will lead you through the beautiful terrain of Short Hills Provincial Park. While out on the trail, you will make your way through serene stretches of woodland terrain and traverse some of the short hills that provide the park with its name. This is a quiet trail that is perfect for a weekend stroll to clear your head and reconnect with nature.

The Niagara Whirlpool Trail in Niagara Falls, Ontario, is best known for introducing hikers to the spectacular, naturally occurring Niagara Whirlpool. The Whirlpool formed over 4000 years ago and is located in the Niagara Gorge, which unfolds downstream from the world-famous Niagara Falls. The 2.1 km out-and-back trail leads hikers on a steep descent into the plunging depths of the Niagara Gorge, along an undulating trail, toward the Niagara River. Surrounded by beautiful forest scenery, hikers will be beckoned toward the rapids by the sound of the rushing whirlpool, turbulently swirling in the distance.

The Beaver Pond Trail is a quick and easy adventure in Algonquin Provincial Park that will lead you around a charming lake for beautiful views across the water. While out on the trail, you will traverse some pleasant woodland terrain around the lake and witness the effect that the local beavers can have on the landscape. While this is a fairly short and easy hike, there are some sections of uphill hiking along uneven terrain, making it unsuitable for those with limited mobility.

The Spirit Rock Trail is a fantastic hiking route near Wiarton at the south end of the Bruce Peninsula that will provide you with stunning views overlooking Georgian Bay. While out on the trail, you will trek through a lovely stretch of woodland terrain and experience beautiful views of the water and nearby town of Wiarton. An easy-to-navigate route and very little elevation gain makes this hike perfectly suitable for people of all skill levels.

The Leslie Street Spit Trail is an amazing hiking route in Toronto that will take you through Tommy Thompson Park along the shores of Lake Ontario. While out on this hike, you spot a wide range of wildlife species like beavers and various types of fowl, in addition to experiencing beautiful views across Lake Ontario and the ever-changing Toronto skyline. Made up of easy-to-navigate paved and gravel pathways, this trail is perfectly suited for hikers of all ages and skill levels, including those with wheelchairs and families with strollers.

Hiking the Whiskey Rapids Trail is a great family-friendly experience in Algonquin Provincial Park that will take you through a beautiful stretch of woodland terrain to reach the edge of a river. While out on the trail, you will have the opportunity to hike along the banks of the Oxtongue River, where you will spot the rippling waters of the Whiskey Rapids. As the trail sits in close proximity to the water, make sure to bring bug spray for this hike.

The Horse and Marr Lakes Trail is a spectacular hiking route near the northern end of the Bruce Peninsula that will lead you around several charming lakes for stunning views overlooking the shimmering waters of Georgian Bay. While out on the trail, you will make your way past the shores of Horse Lake and along the edge of Georgian Bay to visit the picturesque rock formation known as the Grotto before returning along the edge of the Marr and Cyprus lakes. As this trail sets out from the Cyprus Lake Campground, this hike is perfectly paired with a fun weekend of camping along the wild expanse of the Bruce Peninsula.

The Lower Don Recreation Trail is a great adventure in the heart of Toronto’s east end that will allow you to reconnect with nature as you hike through stretches of natural and urban terrain. While out on the trail, you will make your way through the Don Valley along the banks of the Don River while taking in all of the sights between Riverdale Park East in the south and E.T. Seton Park in the north. This trail is also very popular with cyclists, so be sure to exercise caution while out on your hike and allow others to safely pass.

Hiking the Niagara River Recreational Trail is a lengthy adventure in Niagara Falls that will take you through the city for some amazing views across the water. While out on the trail, you will head down to a viewpoint overlooking the iconic Horseshoe Falls before walking along the river’s edge to reach Queenston Heights Park. While long, this is a great trail for families looking to explore the beauty of Niagara Falls.

Hiking the Mizzy Lake Trail is a great way to experience a variety of terrain types and beautiful views that can be found within the boundaries of Algonquin Provincial Park. While out on the trail, you will make your way through tranquil stretches of woodland terrain that border beautiful wetland areas, including charming lakes, quaint ponds, and mucky bogs. The trail itself is well-maintained and fairly level, making it suitable for experienced hikers and casuals looking for a moderate length route.

The Burnt Point Loop Trail is a fantastic hiking route near Tobermory that will lead you through the beautiful terrain of Fathom Five National Marine Park, making for a fun family adventure out on the trails. While out hiking this route, you will pass by several scenic lookouts that offer stunning views of the rocky shoreline of Georgian Bay with its shimmering blue waters. With easy-to-navigate trails that are well-maintained and a good variety of terrain, this route is perfectly suitable for hikers of nearly every skill level.

The Scarborough Bluffs Trail is a scenic hiking route just east of Toronto that will allow you to experience the natural beauty of Lake Ontario’s shoreline. While out on the trail, you will hike along the water’s edge and make your way past yacht clubs and beaches before taking in the sights of the rocky and rugged Scarborough Bluffs. This trail features very little in the way of elevation gain or difficult terrain, making it perfectly suitable for hikers of all skill levels.

Hiking the Black Walnut and Swayze Falls Loop is a fantastic adventure near St. Catherines that will lead you through the beautifully scenic woodland setting of Short Hills Provincial Park. While out hiking the trail, you will loop through serene stretches of forest and experience views overlooking two charming waterfalls. Although there are a few sections with steep terrain, this is a great route for beginner hikers and families that are looking for a fun intermediate length trail.

The Spruce Bog Boardwalk Trail is a nice and easy roadside adventure in Algonquin Provincial Park that offers the chance to stretch your legs on a long drive while taking in views of local wildlife. While out hiking this trail, you will pass through a lovely stretch of woodland terrain along a well-maintained boardwalk that is suitable for all ages and skill levels. Be sure to pick up the leaflet at the beginning of the route to learn more about the ecology of the area.

The Old Baldy Lookout Trail is a fantastic day-hike in Grey County that will take you along an elevated position for some truly beautiful views overlooking Beaver Valley. While out on the trail, you will hike along the forested edge of an escarpment and take in the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape from a series of rocky outlooks, including views of the quaint town of Kimberley in the valley below. While this trail does feature a small amount of elevation gain and some uneven ground, it is perfectly suitable for a fun family adventure.

Hiking the Rouge Valley Loop via Vista Trail is a fantastic outdoor experience in the Greater Toronto Area that will take you through a peaceful stretch of woodland terrain to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. While out on the trail, you will make your way past winding creeks and up to an observation platform with views overlooking the forest. This is a great hike no matter the time of year; however, most people would agree that it is best done in the autumn, when the vast sea of green leaves changes to a myriad of yellow, orange, and red hues.

The Woodend Conservation Area Loop is a family-friendly hiking route in the Niagara region that will lead you through a lovely stretch of woodland terrain on a quick lollipop trail. While out on this hike, you will make your way through the tranquil atmosphere of the forest and traverse the rock strewn landscape of the Niagara Escarpment. Hiking this lovely forest trail is a great way to spend an afternoon escaping the city to reconnect with nature.