Silver Peak Day Hike Route Suggestions — Introduction

Posted 10 years ago on   •   Last updated on May 23, 2019   •   Reading time estimated at 9 minutes
Planning a Silver Peak day hike is a fun way to spend some time in Killarney Provincial Park, without a doubt.

Beautiful vistas on a Silver Peak day hike.

What’s great about it is that there are tons of ways to do it. You can do your Silver Peak day hike on a day trip if that’s all the time you’ve got or the inclination for. Or you can incorporate a Silver Peak day hike into a paddle trip or hiking trip. We’ve done the Silver Peak day hike both while Trekking Killarney’s La Cloche Silhouette Loop Trail and Canoe Camping in Killarney.

Here are some Silver Peak day hike route suggestions for all sorts of paddle trips — some of which we’ll eventually tackle! (For ways to include a Silver Peak day hike into your La Cloche Silhouette trek, check out Hiking the La Cloche Silhouette Trail: A Selection of Itineraries.)



Silver Peak Day Hike Routes for Day Trips

These Silver Peak day hike routes are easily doable in one day, just as a day hike should be (winky face).

View of Killarney Park during a Silver Peak day hike while trekking the La Cloche Silhouette Trail.

Bell Lake

Probably the most well-known way to reach Silver Peak for a day hike is via Bell Lake. The route is straightforward. Drive to the Bell Lake access point to put it, paddle to the side trail, hike, return.

Johnnie Lake to Clearsilver Lake

This is for early risers who want to spend a little more time on the water. From the Bell Lake access point, put in at Johnnie Lake, start paddling, then portage to Clearsilver Lake, at the end of which there’s access to the Silver Peak side trail. It’s a bit of a longer day, but not by much.

Silver Peak Day Hike Routes for Weekend Trips

Some of the following Silver Peak day hike route suggestions can certainly be extended into longer trips, but for the most part, these should be doable in a weekend, or a long weekend (bless them!).

Views of Killarney Park during a Silver Peak day hike

Silver Peak Day Hike Routes for Paddle-In Camping

For those who want it all — paddling, hiking, camping, relaxing — these paddle-in camping route suggestions contain a Silver Peak day hike but aren’t overly strenuous, so there’s still lots of time for relaxing and just plain enjoying Killarney.

Bell Lake – David Lake – Boundary Lake

Any of these lakes can provide easy access to a Silver Peak day hike. By accessing via Bell Lake, paddlers can spend all weekend at one of the many sites on the lake. Or, portage over to David Lake to choose one of the many sites there. One final portage to Boundary Lake assures more privacy as there’s only one canoe campsite on the lake (there’s one hiking campsite as well, but it’s so far on the other side of the lake, it’s still totally private). We chose to stay at Boundary Lake while Canoe Camping in Killarney.

Either way, from David Lake or Boundary Lake, the portage between the two intersects with the La Cloche Silhouette Trail. Follow it east for your Silver Peak day hike — you’ll see a sign at the junction. From David Lake, you can also take the portage towards Clearsilver Lake and take the side trail from there.

Johnnie Lake to Clearsilver Lake

Accessing via Johnnie Lake, paddlers can make their way to Clearsilver Lake, where they can rest up for their Silver Peak day hike. The side trail is just a short paddle away from the only campsite on the lake.

Fun with photography during a Silver Peak day hike.

Carlyle Lake to Ruth-Roy Lake via Johnnie Lake

Okay, so this route doesn’t provide direct access to a Silver Peak day hike, but bear with me for a moment. My thinking is that if someone has a long weekend, this might be a good option. Put in at Carlyle Lake, paddle through Johnnie Lake, and barely notice the portage to Ruth-Roy Lake, where there are only two campsites. Now you can rest up a day before having to get up early for the longer paddle before your Silver Peak day hike. Fun, right?

Silver Peak Day Hike Routes for Paddling Trips

For those who like to stay active, these weekend paddle trips won’t let you quit. You’ve got to hustle because they’re designed to include a Silver Peak day hike. If you think this is where you’ll get to slow down, think again! But don’t let my smack talk scare you off — these paddling and hiking combo trips are still no longer than a few days.

Johnnie Lake – Clearsilver Lake – David Lake – Bell Lake – Johnnie Lake

Putting in at Johnnie Lake, this route leads to Clearsilver Lake on the first day, so it might be nice to stay there overnight and undertake the Silver Peak day hike on the morrow. But, it’s also an option to continue on to David Lake and do the Silver Peak day hike by accessing the Boundary Lake portage and the La Cloche Silhouette Trail. Afterwards, the route leads through David Creek (which looks like a marsh on the map), then into Bell Lake. After a short portage, the loop ends back at Johnnie Lake.

Bell Lake – Three Mile Lake – Balsam Lake – David Lake – Bell Lake

For this paddle trip, you’ll need at least three full days if you’re to have time for the Silver Peak day hike. Putting in at Bell Lake, head northeast to Three Mile Lake and then around westward to Balsam Lake. From there you can portage into David Lake, and another couple of portages will bring you back to Bell Lake.

Silver Peak day hike views

You can save the best for last with this route and leave the Silver Peak day hike for the very end of the trip. If you time it right, you can access the Silver Peak side trail immediately after portaging over to Bell Lake. Otherwise, plan to do your Silver Peak day hike from David Lake, either via the Boundary Lake portage intersection with the La Cloche Silhouette Trail, or the side trail which is accessible only via portage between Bell Lake and David Lake (the one connecting David Lake and Clearsilver Lake).

Carlyle Lake – Johnnie Lake – Log Boom Lake – Bell Lake – Johnnie Lake – Carlyle Lake

From the Carlyle Lake access point, paddle through to Johnnie Lake and make your way to Log Boom Lake. From there, head to Bell Lake. The portage comes out near the side trail to Silver Peak, so consider this a good time for your Silver Peak day hike. From Bell Lake, return to Johnnie Lake and finish your loop at Carlyle Lake.

Conclusion

Before going on your own Silver Peak day hike and Killarney paddle-in adventure, remember to contact Killarney Park to find out about permits and such. And if you don’t have your own park map, you can check out Jeff’s Killarney Map online. Of course, if you’re headed into the backcountry, it’s worth getting a waterproof copy from the Friends of Killarney Park.

There are many ways to integrate a Silver Peak day hike into a Killarney Park visit, whether you’re looking to do a little camping, paddling, or hiking — or a lot of each!

Happy trails!

Comments

4 Thoughts on “Silver Peak Day Hike Route Suggestions”

  1. Bayden Cline:
    June 2, 2014 at 4:16 pm

    One other option for the slightly more adventurous is to walk all the way in from Bell Lake using the old overgrown logging road. Not the clearest or best trail from what i understand and you might need some navigation skills just in case but it is doable

    1. Julie @Niackery:
      June 2, 2014 at 4:18 pm

      Thanks Bayden! I had no idea that trail existed, but now that it’s on my radar, I’ll definitely be keeping it in mind!

      1. Bayden Cline:
        June 2, 2014 at 4:25 pm

        I have not done it myself however there are a couple of decent write ups on it on the Friends of Killarney Park forums

        1. Julie @Niackery:
          June 2, 2014 at 4:27 pm

          I’ll make sure to check that out (smiley face).