Hit the Snowshoe Trails To Explore the Winter Woods

By erin

December 20, 2022

Snowshoeing is quite possibly the best way to enjoy winter in this rural destination, as donning a pair of “shoes” lets you explore in winter like never before. Check out all the places to discover in the Great Canadian Wilderness just north of Toronto! Here is just a partial list, including where to rent and guided tours:

Algonquin Park

The Interpretive Walking Trails inside Algonquin Park are open year round, but are not maintained by Ontario Parks in the winter months. As the snow accumulates, plowing of the parking lots is completed as staff time allows (please do not attempt to park your vehicle along roadways or in unplowed lots). Find more details on plowed and unplowed areas here.

Algonquin Logging Museum Trail km 54.5 – an easy 1.3km trail through the history of logging in Algonquin Park.
Barron Canyon Trail km 29.0 – a 1.5 km loop trail that leads along the north rim of the spectacular, 100 m deep Barron Canyon and then returning to the parking lot.
Bat Lake Trail km 30.0 – a 5.8 km loop trail that introduces you to basic Algonquin Park ecology while visiting a beautiful hemlock stand, and a fine lookout.
Beaver Pond Trail km 45.2 – a 2 km loop trail that yields excellent views of a variety of beaver ponds.
Berm Lake Trail at Achray Campground – a 4.5 km loop that starts and ends at the Achray Campground. This trail takes you completely around Berm Lake.
Big Pines Trail km 40.3 – a 2.9 km long, fairly level loop trail, that visits large, old growth White Pine and the remains of an 1880s logging camp.
Booth’s Rock Trail km 40.3 – a 5.1 km loop trail that visits two lakes and a spectacular lookout, returning via an abandoned railway.
Brent Crater Trail Brent Road – a 2 km loop near the Cedar Lake – Brent Access Point with scenic views of the Brent meteorite crater.
Centennial Ridges Trail km 37.6 – a very demanding 10.4 km loop trail that affords spectacular views along two high ridges.
Fire Tower Trail Algonquin Visitors Centre km 43.0 – This fully accessible trail is 200 metres round-trip and goes to a viewpoint overlooking the Sunday Creek Valley.
Hardwood Lookout Trail km 13.8 – a 1 kilometre loop trail introducing you to the ecology of a typical Algonquin hardwood forest and culminates in views of Smoke Lake and the surrounding hills.
Hemlock Bluff Trail km 27.2 – a 3.5 km loop trail leads through mixed forest to an impressive view of Jack Lake.
The Jack Pine Trail Achray Campground – a 1.6 km trail that takes you to the location where Tom Thomson was inspired to paint The Jack Pine.
Lookout Trail km 39.7 – a 2.1 km loop trail that is fairly steep and rugged, but rewards the hiker with a magnificent view of several hundred square kilometres of Algonquin.
Mizzy Lake Trail km 15.4 – is a 10.8 km trail that requires an early start and a full day to do properly. It visits nine ponds and small lakes and affords some of the best chances to see wildlife in the Park. No dogs are permitted on this trail.
Peck Lake Trail km 19.2 – a 2.3 km loop trail goes completely around the shoreline of Peck Lake.
Spruce Bog Boardwalk Trail km 42.5 – this 1.5 km loop trail that give you an excellent close-up look of two typical northern spruce bogs.
Track & Tower Trail km 25.0 – a 7.5 km loop featuring a spectacular lookout over Cache Lake.
Two Rivers Trail km 31.0 – a 2.3 km loop trail includes an easy ascent to a pine-clad cliff.

Almaguin Highlands

Almaguin Community Trails South River – a series of trails spanning around 3km.
Animosh Trail Kearney – a 1km trail from the Main Street access point passing through poplars and more dense and diverse woodland as you walk up Widowmaker Hill.
Bare Rock Trail Kearney – a 3.3km trail that is broad and easy with great views of the many outcroppings of the Canadian Shield which walkers will encounter along the way.
Cornelia Levering Broadmeadows Trail Magnetawan – a 3km loop at the Ahmic Lake Golf Club winding through different forest stands including hardwood maple, white pine, and a small tamarack plantation.
Craig Lake Dam Trail South River – the trail along Craig Creek follows the river to towards the Algonquin Park border.
Dam Trail Magnetawan – a 1.3km network of footpaths that start at the lift locks over the Magnetawan River.
Horseshoe Trail Kearney – this 0.6km trail takes you along a ridge above Sucker Creek to a picturesque hardwood forest. The current end point is a well-marked gate which leads to private property.
Lion’s Park Boardwalk Kearney – a short 190m trail.
Loxton Beaver Trail South River – an 8.5km trail that is moderately difficult with areas that feature challenging climbs and descents.
Moose Mountain Trail South River – this 2km loop, managed by Forgotten Trails, offers views from the top of what is locally known as Moose Mountain. Hikers should be prepared for a moderate climb.
Old Muskoka Trail South River – The 2 km Old Muskoka Trail follows along part of the original Muskoka Road.
One-a-Day Trail South River – a 1.2km comfortable, short walking trail.
Sprucedale Recreation Trail Sprucedale – a 2km trail that winds into the rugged terrain surrounding Sprucedale. The trail begins on a boardwalk that stretches across a beaver pond, then proceeds into a forest where you will come across broad maples and high ridges.
White’s Farm Trail Kearney – a 1.6km loop trail that runs through land that was hayfield more than 50 years ago.

Loring-Restoule

Loring Deer Yard Port Loring – 3.6km of trails on Crown Land that wind around stunning wetlands through a beautiful hemlock forest.

Muskoka

Arrowhead Provincial Park Huntsville – Visitors can explore the 8+ km of marked snowshoe trails, as well as off-trail snowshoeing through mature hardwood forest.
Bracebridge Resource Management Centre Trails Bracebridge – a big cross-country ski trail area, there are some smaller snowshoeing trails here.
Brydon’s Bay Trail Gravenhurst – a 2.3km loop that wanders through majestic red and white pine.
Cooper’s Falls Trail Gravenhurst – a challenging 7.3 km hike was designed with nature lovers in mind. It winds its way past beaver ponds, deer habitat and bird nesting areas. A bridge is out at the 7.3 mark.
Devil’s Gap Trail Gravenhurst – an 8.7km trail is considered a moderately challenging route. It navigates between marshes and ponds and is occasionally shared with snowmobiles.
Fairy Vista Trail Huntsville – a 4.5km all-season trail travelling through fields, forests and wetlands.
Frost Centre Trails Dorset – 11 kilometres of stacked loop trails, located just across the road from the ski trails. Fees are by donation with donation boxes and maps located at the trailhead.
Gravenhurst Nordic Trails Gravenhurst – a network of groomed and track set cross-country ski trails with snowshoe rentals available.
Hardy Lake Trail Torrance – choose between a 3km or 8km trail through moderately difficult lake-studded Precambrian rock landscapes.
Hazlewood Trail Port Carling – a 2.5km trail that includes some moderate to steep climbs through mature hardwood forest.
Hahne Farm Trail Gravenhurst – a 3.7km trail featuring a stunning granite ridge view that overlooks an environmentally significant wetland and also a mix of hard and softwood forest.
Huckleberry Rock Lookout Trail Milford Bay – quite steep in places, the 2.5 loop trail goes over some of the oldest rocks in the world, with some being well over a billion years old.
Kahshe Barrens Trail Gravenhurst – a 3.2km trail that consists of two loops – Casey and Kadz. Kadz is hilly and provides views of the beaver pond at Lookout Ridge. Casey loop is similar in terrain and features a picturesque stream.
Limberlost Forest & Wildlife Reserve Huntsville – a series of 9 trails through spectacular scenery, with link trails, that range in difficulty and distance from 6.3 to 1.3km.
Milford Manor Golf Course Trails Milford Bay – an easy 1km loop around the ski trails on the golf course.
Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery Bala – more than 10km spaced over five trails with lots of other amenities on site.
Old Stone Trail Gravenhurst – this 4.5km trail was once an alternate route between Bala and Gravenhurst
Skeleton Lake Fish Hatchery Trail Utterson – a 1km trail that winds past the hatchery ponds towards small waterfalls and rapids.

Parry Sound & Area

Nesbitt Trail Ardbeg – a 2.5 km one-way trail that traverses a rocky terrain.
Northshore Rugged Trail Parry Sound – a 6km a rugged trail that follows the Georgian Bay shore. The trail head is located at the bottom of Salt Dock Rd.
Georgian Nordic Outdoor Activity Centre McDougall – boasts more than 15 kilometers of trails dedicated to snowshoeing. Located only 10 minutes from Parry Sound, you will find yourself enjoying the solitude of nature in no time.
Humphrey Nature Trails Seguin – 8km of trails to explore featuring creeks, wetlands, and waterfalls.
Rotary and Algonquin Regiment Waterfront Fitness Trail Parry Sound – a 6 km trail that hugs the shore of Georgian Bay. Known as the ‘Fitness Trail’ there are a number of interpretive plaques along the way.
Whitestone Lake Recreational Trail Dunchurch – a 3.5 km looped trail that is rugged in sections. A steep climb takes hikers to the top of a ridge that overlooks Whitestone Lake.

South Algonquin

Bear Mountain Trail Madawaska – a 13.7km loop that offers great vistas, beautiful lakes and streams, and varied woods to walk through.
Kluke Lookout Loop Madawaska – a 5.6km loop trail of moderate difficulty. Beautiful lookouts throughout and the Bear Lake lookout is stunning.
Old Railway Trail Whitney – a 5.6km trail that takes you to the boundary of Algonquin Park.
Spectacle Lake/Burnetts Mountain Trail Madawaska – more than 50 kilometres of trails centred around Spectacle Lake. The trails are accessed from 5 trailheads.

Rentals

Algonquin Outfitters Bracebridge, Huntsville or Oxtongue Lake
Camp Bongopix Whitney
Frost Centre Rentals Algonquin Highlands *onsite use only
Georgian Nordic Outdoor Activity Centre McDougall *onsite use only
Gravenhurst Nordic Trails Gravenhurst *onsite use only
Liv Outside Bracebridge
Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery Bala *onsite use only
Muskoka Stay n’ Play Tours Mactier
White Squall Outdoor Store Parry Sound

Guided Tours

Algonquin Adventure Tours Algonquin Park
Camp Bongopix Whitney
Find Your Wild – Snowshoe Safari Huntsville
Liv Outside Bracebridge
Northern Edge Algonquin – Fire & Ice Winter Getaway Algonquin Park
Voyageur Quest – Snowshoe Adventure Algonquin Park