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Algonquin Provincial Park

Best Hiking Trails in Algonquin Provincial Park

65 reviews


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Seasonal Popularity

Overview

Ontario's first provincial park and one of Canada's largest, Algonquin Provincial provides a huge variety ecosystems, from pitcher-plant-dotted wetlands to dense evergreen forest. Hikers here can spot moose, black bears, beavers, and wolves, as well as over 270 species of birds.

Algonquin also encompasses the headwaters of five major rivers. That makes the park an ideal spot for fishing and canoeing as well as hiking, camping, and backpacking

Getting Started

Algonquin is a huge park, so there are many entry points. Some of the most easily accessed are the towns of Whitney, Ontario, and Dwight, Ontario, both of which sit along Highway 60, which runs through the park. You can find more specific directions from a variety of nearby locations on the Algonquin Provincial Park web page.

For an easy loop, try the fairly flat, 3.4-mile Rosepond Lake Loop.

Prefer a little more geological history? Take a walk around one of the world's most famous meteorite craters on the 2.0-km Brent Crater Trail.

For a bigger adventure, follow the Western Highlands Backpacking Trail past Maple Leaf, Steeprise, Maggie, Oak, and Ramona lakes for a forested 18-mile loop.

The park publishes a variety of resources, including updated weather forecasts—always be sure to check before you go.

When to Go

July and August are the most popular months for visiting Algonquin, but the park is open year-round. To avoid the crowds, go in spring (April-May) for wildlife watching, or catch the sugar maples turning crimson in late September to early October.

Permits

Permits are required for both day use and overnight use. You can also purchase a seasonal pass if you're a frequent visitor.

Dog Info

Dogs are allowed only in certain areas of Algonquin National Park. Check the park website for a full list of the trails and campgrounds where dogs are not permitted.


Resources

  • ontarioparks.com
  • wikipedia

  • Hiking Trails (33)
  • Reviews (65)
  1. 1
    Rosepond Lake Loop via Booth's Rock Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 3.4 mi
  2. 2
    Ramona Lake via Western Uplands Backpacking Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 4.8 mi
  3. 3
    Highland Backpacking Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 8.2 mi
  4. 4
    Steeprise Lake via Western Uplands Backpacking Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ MODERATE 7.3 mi
  5. 5
    Highland Backpacking Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 2.8 mi
  6. 6
    Maggie Lake via Western Uplands Backpacking Trail
    ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 8.9 mi
  7. 7
    Pincher Lake Loop via Western Uplands Backpacking Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 33.4 mi
  8. 8
    Guskewau Lake via Western Uplands Backpacking Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 2.8 mi
  9. 9
    maple leaf lake via Western Uplands Backpacking Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 2.9 mi
  10. 10
    Madawaska River via Highland Backpacking Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ MODERATE 6.3 mi
    user_profile
    Hélène il y a 1 semaine, 3 jours
    Centennial Ridges Trail Parking Lot to Centennial Ridges Trail
    Favorite trail in Algonquin... beautiful views, amazing slabs of Canadian Shield, good challenge, the Great Outdoors at their best.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Nassor il y a 8 mois
    Centennial Ridges Actual Hike
    Beautiful scenery on a few lookouts on this trail, considered one of the best hike for fall colors in Ontario
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    joelle.seg il y a 2 ans, 7 mois
    Cloud Lake Loop via Centennial Ridges Trail
    Many beautiful viewpoints! Busy during Fall colours. Not technical at all, great 2hr run/hike.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Filip Machiels il y a 2 ans, 7 mois
    Medicine trail via yellow trail
    The medicine tree is very interesting.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    fergusonhhc il y a 3 ans, 8 mois
    Really enjoyed the brochure on this hike as it discussed various aspects of the research done in Algonquin. Good overlook of Jack Lake.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    fergusonhhc il y a 3 ans, 8 mois
    Nice easy hike in pretty woods, with an overlook, big hemlocks, and the usual good trail brochure.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Nick il y a 2 mois, 2 semaines
    Track and Tower Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    jlschilstra il y a 6 mois
    Track (2021-11-28, 11:00:14)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    skippyalbright il y a 6 mois
    Track (2021-07-23, 11:47:49)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    skippyalbright il y a 6 mois
    Track (2021-07-23, 11:47:49)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    ric.doedens il y a 7 mois, 3 semaines
    Starling Lake lookout trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    yves.bilodeau il y a 7 mois, 4 semaines
    Oak Lake camping Wertern Upland
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Hugh il y a 8 mois
    To Dizzy Lake
    ★ ★ ★

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    nklacar il y a 8 mois, 1 semaine
    Track (9/21/18, 12:02:02PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    don il y a 8 mois, 1 semaine
    Centennial Ridges
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    dupont.dube il y a 9 mois, 2 semaines
    Tracé (2021-08-11 11:22:31)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    MaQ23 il y a 10 mois
    Track (2021-07-30, 11:41:15)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    MaQ23 il y a 10 mois
    Track (2021-07-29, 13:03:9) Big Pines Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    MaQ23 il y a 10 mois
    Track (2021-07-28, 12:00:16) Tower and Track Algonquin
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    firewoodfd il y a 10 mois, 2 semaines
    Wolf Howl Pond Loop via Mizzy Lake Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    dlepper il y a 10 mois, 3 semaines
    Track and Tower Trail Parking Lot to Old Railway Bike Trail; Track and Tower Trail, ON, Canada
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    need2fly il y a 11 mois, 1 semaine
    Day 3 canoe
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    need2fly il y a 11 mois, 1 semaine
    Missy Lake Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    mrslorieady il y a 11 mois, 3 semaines
    Pincher Lake Loop via Western Uplands Backpacking Trail
    ★ ★

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    gmarchi il y a 1 année
    Track (2021-05-23, 11:40:31AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Peter Wallace il y a 1 année
    maple leaf lake via Western Uplands Backpacking Trail
    ★

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    Leveille31 il y a 1 année, 1 mois
    High Falls Natural Waterslide via High Falls Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    tbaylx il y a 1 année, 3 mois
    Hemlock Bluff Trail Parking Lot to Jack Lake, ON, Canada
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    info il y a 1 année, 4 mois
    Track (2021-01-01, 12:07:50PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    maxim2000813 il y a 1 année, 4 mois
    Track (2020-09-22, 2:31:37PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Peter Wallace il y a 1 année, 5 mois
    Track (2020-12-05, 2:44:48PM)
    ★

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    smirandola il y a 1 année, 5 mois
    2020-08-01 - Centennial Ridges - 12:57:07
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    styles17117 il y a 1 année, 6 mois
    maple leaf lake via Western Uplands Backpacking Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    styles17117 il y a 1 année, 6 mois
    maple leaf lake via Western Uplands Backpacking Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    styles17117 il y a 1 année, 6 mois
    Ramona Lake via Western Uplands Backpacking Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    styles17117 il y a 1 année, 6 mois
    Steeprise Lake via Western Uplands Backpacking Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Bill Schiavone il y a 1 année, 7 mois
    Maggie Lake to Mink Creek
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Bill Schiavone il y a 1 année, 7 mois
    Highway 60 to Maggie Lake
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Bill Schiavone il y a 1 année, 7 mois
    Mink Creek to Highway 60
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Dudley Do Hike il y a 1 année, 7 mois
    Centennial Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    abe.tomas il y a 1 année, 7 mois
    Centennial Ridges
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    abe.tomas il y a 1 année, 8 mois
    Logging Museum : Track (2020-09-30, 11:16:54AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    abe.tomas il y a 1 année, 8 mois
    Centennial Ridges Trail : Track (2020-09-29, 9:29:56AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    abe.tomas il y a 1 année, 8 mois
    Spruce Bog : Track (2020-09-28, 3:09:16PM)
    ★

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    abe.tomas il y a 1 année, 8 mois
    Peck Lake : Track (2020-09-28, 10:37:20AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    babagugu il y a 1 année, 8 mois
    Merganser
    ★ ★ ★

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    jonathanmungal89 il y a 1 année, 8 mois
    Lookout trail (2020-09-06, 2:41:39PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    sullivan_kelli il y a 1 année, 8 mois
    High Falls Natural Waterslide via High Falls Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Chris il y a 1 année, 8 mois
    Algonquin Canoe to Burnt Lake
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    mirci il y a 1 année, 9 mois
    Brewer lake to MacAuly
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Jen il y a 1 année, 9 mois
    Track (2020-08-13, 11:51:15AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    ronstreecare il y a 1 année, 9 mois
    Track (2020-07-28, 11:15:20AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    ronstreecare il y a 1 année, 9 mois
    Track (2020-07-30, 12:46:00PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    windfan_ls il y a 1 année, 10 mois
    Canoe Lake, Algonquin Park
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    windfan_ls il y a 1 année, 10 mois
    Canoe Lake, Algonquin Park
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    smcdermott il y a 1 année, 10 mois
    Big Pines Trail Parking Lot to Big Pines Trail, ON, Canada
    ★ ★ ★

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    matt21 il y a 1 année, 10 mois
    Track (2020-07-02, 2:23:53PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    windfan_ls il y a 1 année, 10 mois
    Track and Tower Trail, Algonquin Park
    ★ ★

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    matt21 il y a 1 année, 11 mois
    Rail trail one way
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    mtorlee il y a 1 année, 11 mois
    Track and Tower Trail Parking Lot, ON, Canada
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    oldschlguy il y a 2 ans, 2 mois
    Polly
    ★

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    michaelboehringer il y a 2 ans, 8 mois
    Ramona Lake via Western Uplands Backpacking Trail
    ★

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    stephen.gibbs il y a 2 ans, 11 mois
    Algonquin Western Uplands Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Rev600 il y a 2 ans, 11 mois
    Rosepond Lake Loop via Booth's Rock Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    bettercalljohn558 il y a 2 ans, 11 mois
    Rosepond Lake Loop via Booth's Rock Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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