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.
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Mono Cliffs Trail
The Mono Cliffs Trail is an extremely popular hiking route in southern Ontario, due to its dramatic rock formations, beautiful scenery, and relatively easy access from Toronto. This route eschews the main entrance and parking area for roadside parking along 2nd Line, entering into the forest to follow an undulating trail through the tree cover that features the large sections of rock escarpment that gives the park its name. Well-marked and maintained, this route is perfect for exploring the outdoors with the family.
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Humber River Recreation Trail
This stretch of the Humber River Recreation Trail is an 5.1mi out-and-back route that will take you from Etienne Brulé Park near the Old Mill, to the James Gardens and back. While out on the trail, you will walk along the forested edge of the river and take in some lovely views across the water. This beautiful route is popular with cyclists and walkers as a means to temporarily escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
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Track and Tower Trail
Hiking the Track and Tower Trail is a great adventure in Algonquin Provincial Park that showcases the natural beauty and diverse wildlife in the area. While out on the trail, you will hike through the beautiful woodland landscape and take in stunning views of waterfalls, powerful rivers, and scenic lakes, with a good chance of spotting the blackbears and moose that inhabit the area. This route isn’t overly difficult, yet it still features a good variety of terrain, making it a suitable adventure for beginner and experienced hikers alike.
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Decew Falls Loop
The Decew Falls Loop is a quick and easy adventure near St. Catherines that features some amazing natural and historic elements, making it appealing to a wide variety of outdoor enthusiasts. While out hiking the trail, you will make your way past the site of an old 19th Century grain mill before looping through a serene stretch of forest to visit Decew Falls. Whether you decide to try this hike for the waterfall, the history, or the chance to just reconnect with nature, there is no shortage of fun to be had on the Decew Falls Loop.
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Centennial Ridges Trail
The Centennial Ridges Trail is a 6.1mi lollipop hiking route in Algonquin Park that will take you uphill along the rugged terrain of the Canadian Shield. While out on the trail, you will pass through beautiful stretches of woodland terrain to reach an elevated position atop the ridge where you will enjoy breathtaking panoramic views overlooking the forests and lakes of Algonquin. Although parts of this hike can be tough, it is more than manageable for casual and beginner hikers looking for a bit of a challenge.
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Halfway Log Dump to the Grotto
Hiking the Halfway Log Dump to the Grotto Trail is an amazing experience along the shores of Georgian Bay that will see you climb uphill along the rocky escarpment for some stunning views across the water. While out on the trail, you will pass through tranquil stretches of forest along the rocky and rugged shoreline, eventually arriving at the scenic rock caves of Indian Head Cove and the Grotto. While the middle portions of this trail likely won’t be very populated, the start and end points are popular tourist destinations that will see a dramatic increase in foot traffic.
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Crothers Woods Loop Hike
Walking the Crothers Woods Loop is a great outdoor activity in Toronto that will serve as a nice forest retreat without having to leave the city limits. While trekking through this tranquil forest setting, you enjoy beautiful views of the Lower Don River and have the chance to view several species of wildlife, in particular the birds that call the woods home. You should take note of the fact that this is a multi-use trail, so keep an eye out for passing bikers and trail runners.
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Mount Nemo Loop Hike
The Mount Nemo Loop is an awesome adventure just outside of Burlington that will allow you to explore some of the rugged terrain along the Niagara Escarpment. While out on the trail, you will hike through the charming woodland landscape and make your way up the hillside to reach the edge of the escarpment for spectacular views overlooking the surrounding farmland of southern Ontario. This is a fantastic hike with spectacular views and easy to navigate paths, making it a great day excursion for the entire family.
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Booth’s Rock Trail
Hiking the Booth’s Rock Trail is a fantastic experience in Algonquin Provincial Park that will take you up to an amazing lookout with arguably some of the best views in the park. While out on the trail, you will make your way through a scenic stretch of woodland terrain featuring beautiful pine trees before climbing up to a stunning lookout with views over Rock Lake. Well-marked, maintained, and easily accessible, this is a fantastic day-hike that is suitable for almost all skill levels.
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Lion’s Head Loop Hike
The Lion’s Head Loop is arguably one of the most popular hiking routes in the entire province of Ontario, and it is for good reason. This amazing trail will take you across a rocky and rugged bluff for breathtaking views overlooking the shimmering waters of Georgian Bay before ending the hike with a relaxing stroll through a lovely stretch of woodland terrain. This trail is usually very busy and runs over capacity, so be sure to arrive early to enjoy at least a few of the beautiful views in solitude.
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Glen Stewart Park Trail
Hiking the Glen Stewart Park Trail is a quick and easy outdoor experience in the east end of Toronto that can be enjoyed by hikers of all ages and skill levels. Along the trail, you will experience a tranquil woodland atmosphere, as you make your way past mature trees that line a scenic ravine that is dissected by a quaint stream. While this route is accessible year round, portions of the trail can become icy in the winter and muddy in the spring, making it less than ideal to hike during these periods.
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Ball’s Falls Loop
The Ball’s Falls Loop is one of the most popular day-hikes in the Niagara Region due to its compatibility for hikers of all skill levels and fascinating historical buildings. The trail unfolds on the scenic Niagara Escarpment and takes hikers through a rich natural landscape, including waterfalls and the Twenty Mile Creek. Hikers can explore relics of the old milling operations that once thrived here, orchestrated by the prominent “Balls” family that settled the area. A fascinating 19thcentury village is available for hikers to explore, home to the Ball family home, a small church, various mills, a blacksmith shop and more!
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Hemlock Bluff Trail
The Hemlock Bluff Trail is a quick and easy hiking route in Algonquin Provincial Park that will see you traverse a good variety of terrain along its short length, including a beautiful stretch of mixed forest. While out on the trail, you will make your way through a tranquil woodland setting in a clockwise direction before enjoying some amazing views overlooking the calm surface of Jack Lake. With easy-to-navigate paths and beautiful scenery - including the chance to spot wildlife - this route is perfectly suited for a fun family hike in Algonquin.
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Eugenia Falls and Hoggs Falls Loop Hike
The Eugenia Falls and Hoggs Falls Loop is an amazing gem of a hike in Ontario that will take you through the Beaver Valley to visit two stunning waterfalls. This 7.8mi trail sets out from the quaint hamlet of Eugenia, the home of a would-be gold rush in 1852, and travels along the Boyne River for scenic woodland views and the chance to swim below Hoggs Falls. With easy-to-navigate terrain and beautiful views, this route is perfectly suited for both casual and experienced hikers alike.
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East Don Parkland Trail
Hiking the East Don Parkland Trail is a great way to spend an afternoon exploring a small slice of nature in the heart of North York. While out on the trail, you will follow along a well-maintained path along the banks of the East Don River, crossing over it at several points by means of a series of charming bridges. With almost no elevation gains present throughout the trail, this route is perfectly suited for hikers of almost every skill level. While the paths are largely paved, there may be a few sections of gravel that could slow travel for those with wheelchairs or strollers.
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Canterbury, Sherman, and Tiffany Falls Hike
Hiking the Canterbury, Sherman, and Tiffany Falls Trail is a fun, family-friendly experience near Ancaster that will take you along a stretch of the Niagara Escarpment to visit a series of waterfalls. While out exploring the trail, you will make your way through a beautiful stretch of woodland terrain, before visiting the Canterbury, Sherman, and Tiffany waterfalls. This hiking route is a perfect escape for when you need to get away from the city and reconnect with the natural world.
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Lookout Trail
Hiking the Lookout Trail is a great outdoor experience in Algonquin Provincial Park, thanks to its short overall distance and breathtaking views that sweep across the landscape. While out on the trail, you will make your way along a short loop that climbs uphill at a steady pace until you reach the lookout atop a bluff. Here, you will experience a great sightline across the countless trees and lakes that make the park such a beautiful place to visit. Try hiking this trail during the autumn, when the vast expanse of green trees shift to a myriad of yellow, orange, and red hues.
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Pretty River Loop Trail
The Pretty River Loop Trail is a fantastic hiking route near Collingwood that will lead you through the beautiful terrain that can be found within Pretty River Valley Provincial Park. While out hiking this trail, you will make your way along the winding banks of the Pretty River before climbing uphill to one of the high points along the Niagara Escarpment for some amazing views overlooking the picturesque Grey County landscape. Try timing this hike for late-April to May when the trilliums along the trail are in bloom.
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High Park Trail
Hiking the High Park Trail is a wonderful experience in the west end of Toronto that will expose you to a vast area of woodland terrain that serves as a retreat for many people to escape the hectic environment of the city. While out walking the trail, you will make your way through mature forests, experience views across serene bodies of water, and pass by a number of well-maintained gardens and recreation spaces. Although this trail is certainly accessible year-round, the best time to visit High Park is during the April to May window, when the Japanese cherry trees in the park reveal their picturesque pink blossoms.
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Queenston Heights via Bruce Trail
The Queenston Heights via Bruce Trail Hike is a fun adventure in Niagara Falls that will provide a bit of respite from the tourists and allow you to reconnect with nature. The trail sets out from Queenston Heights Park and leads you through a wonderful stretch of woodland terrain along the escarpment. This route is a great way to spend a weekend afternoon outdoors while getting some exercise in a peaceful setting.
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