Hiking

The North Corridor follows the former CN rail line north, from Fenelon Falls to Kinmount. Stop for a picnic lunch at Island Park or view the falls at Trent-Severn Waterway Lock 34. The trail follows Cameron Lake and then the Burnt River leading into Somerville Tract which is heavily forested and perfect for hiking, bird watching and wildlife viewing. After leaving the Forest, head north past the Crego Creek Bridge and into Kinmount.

Recommended Access Points:

• Fenelon Falls at Garnet Graham Park
• Fell Station West of Arterial Road 121
• Burnt River North of the former Burnt River Library
• Watson's Siding West of Arterial Road 121, South of Monck Rd.
• Kinmount at Austin Sawmill Heritage Park, Pinery Road

The Central Corridor begins in the north end of Lindsay at Thunder Bridge Road and takes you north to Fenelon Falls. Ken Reid Conservation Area is the first stop and contains a variety of trails, marsh boardwalk, Osprey nests, picnic shelters, group camping and a beach area. Follow Sturgeon Lake into Cameron and then north into Fenelon Falls.

Recommended Access Points:

• Lindsay (Non-motorized), William Street North - Victoria Junction between Eglington Avenue and Orchard Park Road
• Lindsay (Motorized) at Thunder Bridge Road, Ken Reid Conservation Area
• Cameron on Long Beach Rd. (Arterial Road 34) East of Highway 35
• Fenelon Falls (South) at the Old Railway Station

The South Corridor is the old CP Rail line that extends 30 km from Lindsay to Bethany. This trail begins off King Street East with the new Rotary Trail - 1.5 km of paved pathway. Going south from Logie Street the trail follows the old CP Rail line to Bethany passing through farmlands and the natural areas of Fleetwood Creek Valley, bordered by the Bethany Hills. A portion of the trail passes through the newly formed Windy Ridge Conservation Area.

Recommended Access Points:

• Bethany at the intersection of Ski Hill Road and Jackson Street
• Pigeon River (limited parking) at Mount Horeb Road (Arterial Road 31)
• Lindsay off of King Street

While on the Victoria Rail Trail a few basic rules apply:

• Speed limits of 20 km/h must be observed by all vehicles (ATV's, snowmobiles, and bicycles) in urban areas (Lindsay, Bethany, Fenelon Falls, Burnt River and Kinmount); elsewhere the speed limit is 50 km/hr;
• Use of the VRTC is limited to between 7:00am and 9:30pm;
• ATVs are not permitted on the VRTC between Logie Street and Thunder Bridge Road in Lindsay at any time;
• ATV's are not permitted on the trail during winter months;
• Motorized vehicles are not permitted on the VRTC during the month of April;
• No two-wheeled motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail;
• Only licensed and insured ATV's and snowmobiles with trail permits are allowed;
• Dogs must be kept on a leash;
• Pedestrians have right of way over all other users;
• Privacy and rights of abutting landowners must be respected;
• Do not litter or remove natural vegetation.

Trail rules ensure all users have a good experience. They will be enforced pursuant to City By-Laws governing use of the corridor. You can report violations by calling 705-324-9411 or by calling the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.

Bobcaygeon Wilderness Park provides over eight acres of safe, accessible trails for walking, hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing through a beautiful mature forest. The park also provides a unique educational opportunity to visitors.

A large pollinator patch showcases hundreds of native plants and highlights the importance of pollinators, especially bees to our ecosystems.

Interpretive signs provide another educational component, explaining the significance of many of the natural features found within the park and along the trails.

The Bobcaygeon Wilderness Park is located in the northeast corner of Bobcaygeon, just off County Road 36.

The Dunsford Nature Trail is a recently built trail on a converted railway line. It extends 2.5 km from Dunsford to Verulam Concession Road 2. The trail passes through an area of lowland swamp and forest at the headwaters of a branch of Emily Creek.

Access to this trail is available in the village of Dunsford, which is located northeast of Lindsay and southwest of Bobcaygeon on Sturgeon Road (Kawartha Lakes Road 7).

For more information call 705-738-2363.

Explore the wetlands and forests at Gamiing Nature Centre. The 55 hectare property includes over 7 km of trails and 15 hectares of wetland along scenic Pigeon Lake. Future plans include a 600 metre boardwalk into the marsh.

Address: 1884 Pigeon Lake Road, Lindsay, ON

For more information call 705-799-7083.

Kawartha Setters' Village features a beautiful nature trail that extends around the perimeter of their 9 acre property. The trail is completely natural with mature trees, historic flowers and vines. The grass is kept short and the trail provides a peaceful walk. Plan a walk and visit the Village while you are there.

Address: 85 Dunn St, Bobcaygeon, ON

For more information call 705-738-6163.

Balsam Lake Provincial Park has two hiking trails.

Lookout Trail - a 2.6 km walk through eskers and kames formed over 10,000 years ago from the Wisconsin Glacier. Enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding area.

Plantation Trail - a 4.2 km moderate forest trek with both natural and pioneer highlights.

Located on the north end of Balsam Lake, the 946 hectare Indian Point Provincial Park features one of the longest undeveloped shorelines in Kawartha Lakes. Consisting of a low, limestone escarpment, this lake shore property is an alvar.

This is not an operating Provincial Park and there are no visitor facilities. Camping is prohibited.

Water access is available from Balsam Lake. 

For more information call 705-454-3324.

Somerville Tract is comprised of 3,420 hectares of mixed forest property. There are three trail loops covering a variety of terrain including pine plantations, wetlands, hardwoods and rock outcrops. Somerville Tract offers many kilometers of double track. The rolling cottage roads and forest tracks are ideal for mountain bikes.

Somerville Tract is located 5.6 km west of Kinmount on Arterial Road 45.

For further information call 705-324-9411 extension 1176.

Formerly known as Dalton Digby Wildlands, this park is one of the most diverse and least disturbed natural areas found in Central Ontario. Containing more than 50 landform vegetation patterns, this site has limited or no recent history of logging. Its low-rolling topography includes organic soils, flat sandy deposits, and bare bedrock uplands with shallow soil patches.

Day use hiking and canoeing are permitted activities. Overnight camping is only allowed on existing campsites on the Ganaraska Hiking Trail. Victoria Falls, Hunter's Lake and Little Gull Lake are popular day use areas. No camping is actively enforced in these areas.

There are no maintained public facilities or services within the park.

Over 40 km of trail traverse the Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Park including an additional three loop trails. Check the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association website for more information.

Access Points:

• 1115 Devils Lake Road - Township of Minden Hills
• 1526 Black River Road - City of Kawartha Lakes

Telephone: 705-454-3324 extension 5224

Ken Reid Conservation Area is a 110-hectare (272 acre) property of open meadow and forest that provides protection to the Mclaren's Creek wetland. It is designed to be easily accessible and enjoyable for the whole family. Amenities include:

• swimming beach
• hiking trails
• cycling trails
• picnic shelters
• group camping area
• wetlands
• viewing platform
• cross-country ski trails

Ken Reid Conservation Area is located 3 km north of Lindsay on Sturgeon Lake, off Hwy 35 on Kenrei Park Rd. It contains 12 interconnected trail loops totalling almost 12 km. Please call 705-328-2271 for more information.

Emily Park is located on Regional Road 10, just north of Omemee. The entrance to the trail is near the south beach parking area. Walk along the elevated boardwalk over a cattail marsh to a sphagnum moss island and a lookout tower to see the osprey nests. You can also swim at two sandy beaches along Pigeon River, fish or paddle.

Marsh Boardwalk Trail

The Marsh Boardwalk Trail begins on a bark-chipped surface and immediately you enter an area of tall and mature cedar trees creating a dense tree canopy. Soon you arrive at the boardwalk and begin walking through cattails and ferns. The boardwalk stops at a unique island referred to as Sphagnum Island, which was created over thousands of years. The trail continues to circle around the island and leads to a lookout platform that allows you to scan the marsh, Pigeon River and forest. If you look carefully, you will see a nest where for generations a pair of ospreys has raised their young.

Emily Tract is located on Arterial Road 14, just west of Cowan's Bay and Emily Provincial Park.

Emily Tract comprises 99.2 hectares (205 acres) of mixed forest property, with two trail loops winding through the property allowing you to explore unique glacial land features including moraines and eskers.

Emily Tract contains two trail loops: Loop 1 is gently rolling and heavily forested and Loop 2 crosses a wooden bridge, is hillier and is also heavily forested.

For more information please 705-324-9411 extension 1176.

Windy Ridge Conservation Area is a 35-hectare (87-acre) property that offers an ideal spot to enjoy a short walk in the open air and a stunning view. It is located at 998 Mount Horeb Road off of highway 35. A lookout is minutes away from the parking lot, where you can see a panoramic view of natural areas of significance and beauty, including the Oak Ridges Moraine, the Hogsback Esker, and a provincially significant wetland that includes Pigeon River and Fleetwood Creek.

The Conservation Area has a single 1.3km loop trail and is bordered by the Victoria Rail Trail along the western boundary. Parking is not maintained from October 31 to May 1.

Fleetwood Creek Natural Area is a 900 acre (380 hectare) tract of land managed by Kawartha Conservation for the Ontario Heritage Foundation. Located within the Oak Ridges Moraine, the area is characterized by steep valleys, sand, soil, and many cold water streams. These streams form the headwaters of Fleetwood Creek, a major watercourse within the Kawartha Region watershed. The property is home to 250 species of flora and fauna and 44 species of birds. Three trails lead you through uplands, deciduous forests, meadows, and wetlands. Fleetwood Creek Natural area is located at 902 Ballyduff Road, Pontypool. Please call 705-328-2271 for more information.

Forest Trail

The Forest Trail is divided into two branches; the West Branch is a 3 km loop which consists of a twisting path on a gradual slope leading through open meadows and forests. The East Trail, a 3 km loop leads through a dense forest then climbs up the valley slope. The Trail ends with a walk through an open meadow and then back through the forest to the parking area.

Valley Trail

The Valley Trail is a 2.2 km trail that allows the visitor to view the characteristic valley lands of the area from two perspectives.  An observation platform offers a spectacular view of the surrounding land at any time of the year.  The more adventuresome can also descend into the valley.

Telephone: 705-328-2271

Pigeon River Headwaters Conservation Area is a diverse 125-hectare (308 acre) property situated partially within the Oak Ridges Moraine. It is important for the many cold water seeps and springs that form the headwaters of Pigeon River, and as habitat for a diversity of wildlife. The southeast corner of the property offers a panoramic view of a vast tableland and the valley of the Pigeon River.

The conservation area has three interconnecting trail loops that total almost 5 km. The trails go through dense forest, wetlands and meadows.

The marsh boardwalk is a highlight of the park. Water milfoil, turtlehead, asters, cattails, and arrowhead all thrive along the length of the walkway. Frogs, salamanders, turtles, and other water loving creatures also enjoy the marsh.

It is located at 445 Gray Road, Pontypool off of highway 35. The road is unassumed and the driveway and parking lot are not maintained from October 31 to May 1.