Hiking Trails

Map: AlgonquinTrails.pdf
Length: 0.7 km linear
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead Address: The parking area is currently under construction due to the expansion of the entranceway to the landfill that is next to it. Parking during this time will only be available along the side of the road, please plan accordingly and limit the number of vehicles if possible. Do not park inside the landfill gates at any time. 1317 McPhail Road – From Highway 35 just north of the Town of Carnarvon, turn east onto North Shore Road, follow to McPhail Road, turn north and proceed to the trailhead.

GPS Location: UTM Zone 17. T 0681035E 4996165N

Description: A short, 700-metre hike to connect to the Ridge Trail, James Cooper Lookout Trail or Circuit of 5 Viewpoints Trail from McPhail Road.

Map: AlgonquinTrails.pdf
Length: 1.3 km loop
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead Address: 1053 Dominion Road – from Highway 35 just north of the Town of Carnarvon, turn east onto North Shore Road, follow to Dominion Road, turn south and proceed to the trailhead.

GPS Location: UTM Zone 17. T 0680302E 4993689N

Description: A casual, semi-wilderness loop around 1.3 km of varied terrain, residential roads, shared use snowmobile trail, and the scenic Beech River. This trail is considered to be the easiest trail that Algonquin Highlands has to offer and is perfect for a relaxing stroll.

The west side trail as described below is closed to winter access. Only the east side trail is open. This is because the west side trail crosses private property where it becomes a ski trail in the winter. Hikers must stay off of that portion of trail to avoid damage to the groomed ski trail. Please respect private property and posted signage. 

Map: BeetleLakeTrail.pdf
Length: The Beetle Lake Trail currently consists of two 2.5 km ‘lollipop’ style out and back loops. One is on the east side of Oxtongue Lake and the other is on the west side. Each are accessed from the same parking location. Historically this trail was a 5.5km loop which started and ended in the same location. It has been changed to the lollipop format as a temporary measure due to a failure of the bridge that crossed Oxbow Creek at the midway point of the trail. A replacement timeline for this structure has not yet been established and users will not be able to cross the creek.
Difficulty: Challenging

Trailhead Address: Parking is located at 1035 Algonquin Outfitters Road. The west side trail head can be found on the left just past Algonquin Outfitters store where it then crosses a portion of private property, please obey posted signage and respect the wishes of the landowners. The east side trail head is located off of Elliot Road which can be found after a short but scenic walk from the parking area back out to Hwy 60. Then head east (left) across the highway bridge then turn north (left) onto Elliot Road, the trailhead can be found on the east (right) side a short distance up that road. Please respect nearby local residents and private property and do not park on this road.

GPS Location: UTM Zone 17. T 0662459E 5027454N

Description: These two lollipop loops hike through an active beaver pond, bog, hardwood hills and primary growth forest to a stunning lookout of Oxtongue Lake. Because of the varied and open forest types, this area provides one of the best opportunities in the Highlands for spotting many of Central Ontario’s best known bird and wildlife species such as moose, deer, otter, beaver, snowshoe hare, red-tailed hawk, barred owl and ruffed rouseg, just to name a few!

Map: AlgonquinTrails.pdf
Length: 5 km loop
Difficulty: Moderate - challenging
Trailhead Address: 2029 Little Hawk Road (County Road 13) – From Highway 35 North in Halls Lake, travel east on Little Hawk Road and proceed to the trailhead.

GPS Location: UTM Zone 17. T 0679034E 50000120N

Description: Hike 5 km along classic Canadian Shield country overlooking rugged valleys, placid rivers and amazing fall colours!

Map: AlgonquinTrails.pdf
Length: 6 km linear
Difficulty: Moderate - challenging
Trailhead Address: 1584 Big Hawk Road – This trail begins at the Log Chute Trail and Interpretive Site (see directions below) and ends at the Circuit of 5 Viewpoints trailhead (see above).

GPS Location: UTM Zone 17. T 0677468E 5001267N

Description: Hike 6 km on towering ridgelines to stunning cliff-top views. This trail has some of the best views the Highlands has to offer. Please be aware that this trail is linear and the distance is 6 km in one direction ending at the Circuit of 5 Viewpoints trailhead (see above). Ensure you have a trail guide map with you on this trail and pay close attention to trail junction signs so as not to mistakenly end up hiking onto a longer trail to a different access point. A car shuttle or some other form of return trip to the trail head is required to complete this trail in one direction, but the extra work is well worth it. This trail has some of the best, most varied terrain in the area and offers hikers an opportunity to fully immerse themselves in a true wilderness experience.

Map: DorsetTower.pdf
Length: 1.5 km loop
Difficulty: Challenging
Trailhead Address: From the bottom: 1038 Main Street, Dorset. From the top: 1154 Dorset Scenic Tower Road (off of Highway 35 North, just north of the Town of Dorset).

GPS Location: UTM Zone 17. 0665302E 5012916N

Description: A challenging hike from the Dorset Museum to the top of the ‘Dorset Mountain’ where one can climb the steps up the 25m Fire Tower and view a panorama of 800km² of forest and numerous lakes. This is a must-see for anyone wanting to truly experience the Highlands. This trail can also be hiked from the top of the ‘Dorset Mountain’ down to the museum. If you want to start at the top (option available May to October), a fee to drive up to the access point/picnic area is applicable. During the open season there’s also a gift shop/visitor information centre, washrooms and numerous photo opportunities at the top of Dorset Mountain. Please see the Dorset Tower page for more information.

Map: FrostCentre.pdf
Length: 1-11 km stacked loop
Difficulty: Easy-moderate-challenging
Trailhead Address: 20130 Highway 35 North – 12km south of the Town of Dorset.

GPS Location: UTM Zone 17. 0669383E 5002819N

Description: A number of stacked loops totaling 11km meander through the forest adjacent to St. Nora Lake. This trail system offers a little bit of everything, from millennia old geological formations which give insight into the last significant ice age, to large bogs, towering cliff faces, mixed forests, challenging climbs and spectacular lookouts. Be sure to pack lunch and your camera because you can spend an entire day exploring these trails.

Map: Algonquin Trails.pdf
Length: 1.5 km loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead Address: This access is located at 1065 North Shore Road. From Highway 35 just north of Carnarvon, head east onto North Shore Road and proceed to the trailhead.

GPS Location: UTM Zone 17. T 0680558E 4994116N

Description: This is a short but very satisfying hike to a lookout over Maple, Beech, Boshkung and Twelve Mile Lakes.

Map: LogChuteTrail.pdf
Length: 500 m loop
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead Address: 1584 Big Hawk Road in the town of Halls Lake – From Highway 35 North head east on Little Hawk Lake Road then turn north onto Big Hawk Road and proceed to the trailhead.

GPS Location: UTM Zone 17. T 0677409E 50000120N

Description: A leisurely and scenic stroll which passes by Ontario’s ‘one of a kind’ historic log chute heritage site. This site features a real, full-size, operating historic log chute, picnic area, washrooms and interpretive displays.

Map: Algonquin Trails.pdf
Length: 8 km linear
Difficulty: Challenging
Trailhead Address: #1242 North Shore Road. Can also be accessed from the Alven Ferguson Trail access point (above).

GPS Location: UTM Zone 17. T 0680558/4994116

Description: Hike 8 km of challenging back-country forest and hillsides. Considered the ‘backbone’ of Algonquin Highlands, this trail connects many of the above hiking trails which can be linked to provide the experienced hiker with a lengthy and challenging trek. This is a true back-country trail experience. Please be aware that this trail is linear and the distance is 8km in one direction ending at the Circuit of 5 Viewpoints trailhead (see above). Ensure you have a trail guide map with you on this trail and pay close attention to trail junction signs so as not to mistakenly end up hiking onto a longer trail to a different access point. A car shuttle or some other form of return trip to the trail head is required to complete this trail in one direction.