7 Best Hikes in Ontario with Awesome Views
Ontario is home to some of Canada’s most breathtaking scenery. You’ll find everything from sweeping clifftop views over crystal blue water lakes to canyons that may not be grand but will still leave you in awe. So to give you a taste of Ontario’s beauty here are the seven best hikes in Ontario for awesome views.
Bruce Trail
The Bruce Trail is easily Ontario’s most popular hiking trail. Following the Niagara Escarpment from Niagara to Tobermory, the Bruce Trail is 840 kilometres long. It is Canada’s oldest and longest marked hiking trail. The Bruce Trail will take you through every kind of terrain, from fields to roads and through marshland to cliffs.
The best part is it is made into manageable segments so you can hike for days or a few hours. For me, one of the best places to hike the Bruce Trail is on the Bruce Peninsula. And my favourite Bruce Trail day hikes are in Lion’s Head Provincial Park. It’s home to geological potholes, epic cliff-top views, and a plethora of birdlife and wildflowers.
Top of the Giant Trail
The Sleeping Giant was voted the number one natural wonder of Canada. And it’s for good reason. Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is home to some of the highest cliffs in Ontario, serene lakes, a wealth of wildlife, and over 100 kilometres of trails.
Top of the Giant Trail is definitely one of the top hikes in Ontario and one of the most scenic. This 22 kilometre trail is difficult but oh so worth it. Start early and take your time. Soak in the majesty of the Boreal Forest, calm lakes, and a steep ascent up the Giant himself. And once you reach the top you’ll be rewarded with the best views of ANY Ontario hiking trails.
Granite Ridge Trail
Killarney Provincial Park is known for its unspoilt wilderness, over 50 lakes, and a dozen trails through varying terrain. And when many think of Ontario’s top hikes the La Cloche Silhouette Trail comes up. But if you only have a few hours or the day then don’t worry there’s a great alternative.
The Granite Ridge Trail is a moderate 2 kilometre trail with a lot to offer. You’ll be surrounded by forest then climb over the Canadian Shield, and find not one but two incredible views. The first view is similar to the view you’d find on the La Cloche Silhouette Trail with the Cloche Mountains in the distance. And the second is of Georgian Bay dotted with its many islands.
Barron Canyon Trail
Algonquin Provincial Park is the first Provincial Park in Canada and is one of Ontario most popular. It’s home to over 2000 lakes, a wide array of wildlife, a mix of coniferous an deciduous forests, nearly 20 trails, and is one of the top places in Ontario to take in the fall
One of Algonquin’s best trails is the Barron Canyon Trail. This short 1.5 kilometre trail is perfect to hike at any time of year. This loop trail takes you along the northern rim of the remarkable Barron Canyon that is over 300 feet deep. With a view like this, you’ll definitely want to stop and soak it in.
Agawa Pictographs Trail
If you’re looking for some of the best hikes in Ontario then head to Lake Superior Provincial Park. Here you’ll find everything from waterfalls, sweeping views of the mighty Lake Superior, and even one with a view on history.
The Agawa Pictographs Trail is a short trail over rugged terrain that takes you down to the rocky shore of Lake Superior. This trail offers a bit of everything, from rock chasms to canyons and breathtaking views over the Lake. But it’s a different view that makes it one of the top Ontario trails. Towering above Lake Superior is a sheer rock face that is home to 35 images painted by the Ojibwe centuries ago.
This is a sacred site and can only be visited in the summer when the Lake is calm. As the only way to see them is to venture along a narrow rock ledge along the Agawa Rock.
Spillway Trail
Another of my favourite places to hike in Ontario is Mono Cliffs Provincial Park. Located about an hour northwest of Toronto, Mono Cliffs again has a lot to offer. With half a dozen trails you can enjoy forest trails, riverside trails, and cliff-top trails.
But unlike many of the top Ontario hikes with awesome views above, my favourite trail in Mono Cliffs Provincial Park has a completely different kind of view. What Mono Cliffs’ Spillway Trail lacks in length it makes up for in drama. The Spillway Trail leads you through a canyon that will cool you in the summer heat. And transport you to an enchanted place with its tall moss-covered cliff faces.
Keyhole Side Trail
The last trail on my list of best hikes in Ontario is located in Nottawasaga Bluffs Conservation Area. This Conservation is the perfect place to hike in Ontario in every season. There are perfect fall views, spring song birds, and it becomes a winter wonderland once snow falls.
But it’s one particular trail that will wow you. The Keyhole Side Trail is an offshoot of the Bruce Trail and leads you down into a large and at times narrow canyon. Rising up around you are incredible rock faces that in the summer create an enchanted wonderland of moss and in the winter a layer of snow adds to the awe and magic. And at its end is the Keyhole itself. A narrow slit in the rock to squeeze yourself through and continue your hike.
More Places for Hikes in Ontario for Views
Before you hit the trails be sure to check out my top tips for day hikes. If you’re heading out in the winter check out my winter hiking tips. And make sure you have everything you need for a successful and safe hike, here’s my packing list for top hiking gear for day hikes.
Are you looking for more reading material on hiking in Ontario? There are a host of great books out there, but where do you begin? I’ve done some of the work for you. Some are not available online but can be found at local bookshops and retailers like the amazing Loops & Lattes collection, and Adventures with Bruce. Below are a few more of my favourite hiking books.
Trail to the Bruce – this is a must-read for anyone interested in the Bruce Trail or Ontario nature history. The book tells the fascinating story of how the Bruce Trail came to be.
Nature Hikes: Near-Toronto Trails and Adventures – this is a great book if you’re looking for great hikes in and around the Toronto area. It has photos, maps, tips, and more on over 30 different hikes.
Ontario Provincial Park Trail Guide – this is a great guide for hiking in Provincial Parks. The guide has information on over 300 hiking trails found throughout over 85 parks. It’s great for the average day hiker as many of the trails are around two hours and under.
Do you have a favourite hiking trail in Ontario that has awesome views?
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