This post of my favourite photos of hiking in Ontario has been a long time coming, but I figure it’s better than an album! And what better time than the holiday break to sort through old photos of hiking in Ontario and take a trip down memory lane? Pics of hiking in Ontario are from anytime between 2008 and the present. A couple are from random walks rather than hikes, but I just couldn’t leave them out. And the same goes for the few that might’ve snuck in which were taken by the roadside…
Hiking Close to Home in Ontario: French River Area
Lake Nipissing’s West Arm
St. Charles
Though not technically in French River, St. Charles is near the West Arm of Lake Nipissing, and where I grew up until high school.
Pine Creek
Browse the Pine Creek gallery — click any image above to view a full-sized version in a pop-up carousel.
The old logging roads down Pine Creek are now used by ATVers and snowmobilers, hikers and snowshoers, deer hunters and duck hunters. We don't use them in the fall. Forget the orange vests; we just don't use them in the fall. They're wet in spring, but safe. Overgrown in summer, but safe.
Bear Lake
Browse the Bear Lake gallery — click any image above to view a full-sized version in a pop-up carousel.
Mashkinonje Provincial Park, Monetville
With 35 kilometres of looping trails and so close to home, I’ve been to Mashkinonje too many times to count. In all seasons and weather, geared up or without even a snack, in snowshoes, hiking boots, or sandals, by boat or car, I always end up at Mashkinonje. My very last post was devoted to day-tripping in Mashkinonje. And still one of my most memorable times in Mashkinonje was in 2008, when a prep hike for a longer trek went all wrong. I think it’s a great example of how quickly the landscape changes on lots of trails while hiking in Ontario.
Browse the Hiking in Ontario at Mashkinonje Provincial Park gallery — click any image above to view a full-sized version in a pop-up carousel.
Noëlville
Favourite local swimming and walking spots…
Browse the Noëlville Walks gallery — click any image above to view a full-sized version in a pop-up carousel.
French River Provincial Park
Récollet Falls and Trail
Browse the Récollet Falls gallery — click any image above to view a full-sized version in a pop-up carousel.
Bad River
As a little girl, I came to this river with my family every weekend for several years. My father had built a houseboat in his old stomping grounds, which became ours. We then switched our fishing spot to Lake Nipissing, but we returned every once in a while for a visit.
Browse the Bad River gallery — click any image above to view a full-sized version in a pop-up carousel.
Pickerel River
Marc’s family is from the other side of the French River Delta, the Pickerel River, so we’ve been all over the area together now.
Grundy Lake Provincial Park, Britt
Browse the Grundy Lake gallery — click any image above to view a full-sized version in a pop-up carousel.
Hiking Further Afield in Ontario
Hiking in Ontario sure has kept us busy!
Restoule Provincial Park
Browse the Restoule Provincial Park gallery — click any image above to view a full-sized version in a pop-up carousel.
Killbear Provincial Park, Parry Sound
Browse the Killbear Provincial Park gallery — click any image above to view a full-sized version in a pop-up carousel.
Huntsville Area
Ragged Falls Provincial Park
Browse the Ragged Falls gallery — click any image above to view a full-sized version in a pop-up carousel.
Algonquin Provincial Park
Taken at Faya Lake on the Highland Trail in Algonquin Provincial Park during a relaxing but bug-filled June weekend.
Browse the Algonquin Park gallery — click any image above to view a full-sized version in a pop-up carousel.
Manitoulin Island
Browse the Manitoulin Island gallery — click any image above to view a full-sized version in a pop-up carousel.
Cup and Saucer Trail
Browse the Cup and Saucer Trail gallery — click any image above to view a full-sized version in a pop-up carousel.
Wanapitei Provincial Park, Capreol
Double-checking the spelling of the name of both park and lake (which is spelled differently than the town of the same river near where I live), I found out camping is no longer permitted here. Tents used to be allowed right on the beach, and people would leave trailers on the sandy wooden shores all season. I guess it got to be too much for the ecosystem (frowny face).
Duchesnay Falls, North Bay
Browse the Duchesnay Falls gallery — click any image above to view a full-sized version in a pop-up carousel.
Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park, Mattawa
Browse the Etienne Trail gallery — click any image above to view a full-sized version in a pop-up carousel.
Temagami Area
Ottawa-Temiskaming Highland Trail: Rib Mountain
We had quite the adventure coming out of this one. And we thought hiking up Rib Mountain on the way in had been tough!
Browse the Rib Mountain gallery — click any image above to view a full-sized version in a pop-up carousel.
Backwoods of River Valley: Gull Lake
Browse the Gull Lake gallery — click any image above to view a full-sized version in a pop-up carousel.
Wakami Lake Provincial Park, Sultan
Having been to the Wakami backcountry once was not enough, even though what seems like a dream trek will never be possible with the continued cuts to northern parks.
Esker Lakes Provincial Park, Kirkland Lake
I absolutely had to return here on a pleasure trip since I was an Ontario Ranger here! I half-recognised quite a lot but mostly had incredible nostalgia. Hiking in Ontario has brought me to a lot of places! While I was stuck in the past, Marc was stuck on the moon. How is it even possible to forget your fishing gear on May long weekend?
Really nice pics, I’ve visited a good portion of these places and I never tire of visiting them. Some of the locations I want to visit.
Wow, great pictures! thanks for sharing!
beautiful pictures I have hiked some of those places ..makes me want to go back (smiley face).
This is such an amazing album and yes worth the years of collection. I have walked many of these places myself but alas without a camera……..I have a fb page that I would love to share your blog on………it is called kybun Canada……have a peek and if it is ok with you please let me know……….thanks for sharing your “staycations” who needs to hop on a plane to find breathtaking views !!!
Thank you! Yes, please go ahead with sharing on your Facebook page… “Staycationing” is right most of the time, but some destinations within Ontario take longer to drive to than flying to Mexico. Ha!
Love your photos. If u have any more of esker lakes could u forward a couple to me? Go there every year
A great collection of photos from memorable hikes! Which one was your favourite experience?
It’s tough to pick just one! Every spot’s got it’s own beauty (smiley face). But in terms of the quality of the hiking, Killarney’s La Cloche Silhouette Trail is awesome! Tough, challenging — fun!