A Break From Toronto: Ontario’s Top Natural Adventures

Although Toronto is an eclectic and ever-changing concrete jungle, every once in a while it’s nice to put some hiking shoes on and breathe in some fresh, clean air.

Below are some of the top spots for your next camping or hiking adventure outside of the city.

Algonquin

If you’re looking for a place that makes you feel like Christopher McCandless from “Into The Wild,” look no further than this iconic spot.

Here you can spend days on end without seeing a single soul and get back to being one with nature. No cars are allowed past the parking lot, which means your only options to get around are by foot, canoe or bike. The interior of the park is a whopping 140 km of trails with eight designated campsites. You can hike 14 spectacular trails, swim in the crisp, clean lake, fish some of the best trout in Canada, check out the art center, logging museum or spend time just getting lost in pure bliss.

Address:

Hwy 60, P.O. Box 219

Whitney

K0J 2M0

Killarney Provincial Park

If the famous Group of Seven painters fell in love with Killarney’s picturesque scenery, it’s no doubt that you will too.

The park is comprised of 645 km of backcountry with over 50 crystal clear lakes in-between the La Cloche white-hilled mountains and two beaches for swimming. There are five main hiking trails for all levels and accommodations consisting of 183 canoe-in sites and 33 backcountry hike-in sites to camp at along with cabins and yurts to rent all year round.

Address:

960 Highway #637

Killarney, ON

P0M 2A0

Ouimet Canyon, Dorion, Thunder Bay

The nearly 8 km trail of Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park is the perfect spot for an easy day-trek through various trails and boardwalks which connect to two outlook platforms and along suspension bridges to view the 150 wide, 100-meter deep canyon where you’ll have stunning panoramic views. Other activities include camping and zip lining. 

Address:

Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park c/o Sleeping Giant Provincial Park R.R. #1

Pass Lake

P0T 2M0

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Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

Located on Sibley Peninsula only about an hour from Thunder Bay, the Tee Harbour View and Chimney Lookout alone are worth the drive and provide some of the best views of Lake Superior.

There are over 80 km of hiking and biking trails for a range of skill levels, swimming and canoeing at Marie Louise Lake as well as over 200 sites for camping.

Address:

R.R. #1

Pass Lake

P0T 2M0

Bon Echo Provincial Trail

At Bon Echo, you can hike through six various trails — three of which interconnect and provide striking panoramic views. (The Cliff Top Trail is only accessible by water but a must-do for those who like a bit more of a challenge.)

For canoeing, if you’ve got the time, you will want to paddle the Kishkebus Route. A moderate to difficult adventure made up of a 21 km loop and 1.5 km portage perfect for an exciting day-trip.

If you want to kick back and relax, there are 25 canoe-in campsites, five campsites on the Abes and Essens trail, rustic cabins, soft-sided shelters and yurts to rest up at before swimming in the three natural sand beaches.

Address:

16151 Hwy. 41

Cloyne, Ontario

K0H 1K0

Bruce Peninsula National Park (Tobermory)

From the turquoise waters of Georgian Bay that are reminiscent of Italy, the impressive Cyprus grotto you wouldn’t expect from Ontario, boating over to Flowerpot Island, rock climbing, scuba diving alongside sunken pirate ships or walking along The Bruce Trail (the longest Trail in Ontario stretching from Niagara Falls to the Bruce Peninsula) — It’s not far-fetched to say this is one hell of a place to unwind.

It’s a great spot for first-time hikers consisting of four easy self-guided trails and well-equipped campsites.

Address:

407 Cyprus Lake Rd at Hwy 6

Tobermory, ON

N0H 2R0

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