The Ultimate Guide to Ontario's Most Spectacular Hiking Destinations

04/07/25 • 12 min

We're on a mission to inspire others to get outside and enjoy camping adventures, and today we're exploring some of Ontario's favorite hiking spots that range from easy day trips to challenging wilderness experiences.
• The Crack Trail in Killarney Provincial Park features spectacular views over the La Cloche Mountains with white granite outcroppings
• Bruce Trail near Lion's Head offers views of turquoise water that looks almost tropical, with its own dedicated hiking community
• Centennial Ridges and Mizzy Lake trails in Algonquin Provincial Park provide multiple viewpoints and wildlife sighting opportunities
• Cup and Saucer Trail on Manitoulin Island features some of the best cliff top views overlooking Lake Huron's North Channel
• Sleeping Giant Provincial Park's Top of the Giant trail is challenging but rewards with spectacular views 250 meters above Lake Superior
• Barren Canyon Trail offers dramatic views of a 100-meter deep canyon in a short, easy 1.5km loop
• Hardy Lake Loop in Muskoka provides a peaceful wilderness experience without crowds
• Silver Peak in Killarney requires canoeing to access but offers 360-degree views from the highest point in the park
• Devil's Punch Bowl near Hamilton features a dramatic waterfall and millions of years of geological history in an easy hike
If you would like to talk to us, feel free to reach out on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Blue Sky, Twitter, or email us at [email protected].

Note: The Algonquin kilometer markers run along Highway 60 from the West Gate to the East Gate.

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Note: The Algonquin kilometer markers run along Highway 60 from the West Gate to the East Gate.

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Journey into the Wild: Saskatchewan's Untamed Backcountry

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Tyler Chilabecki's love affair with the Saskatchewan wilderness began with a fishing rod in his hand at just three years old. Now, as the creator behind the YouTube channel Puddle Jumper, he's on a mission to shatter stereotypes about his home province one paddle stroke at a time.
"Everyone thinks of Saskatchewan as flat prairies and wheat," Tyler explains with the weariness of someone who's heard it once too often. "But half our province is boreal forest and Canadian Shield." This northern wilderness forms the backdrop for his solo paddling adventures, which range from weekend trips to epic three-week journeys through some of Canada's most untouched waterways.
What makes Saskatchewan's backcountry uniquely appealing is the profound solitude it offers. While popular parks like Algonquin might have portage trails "like superhighways" with paddlers carrying coolers and boxes of wine, Tyler describes paddling for 12 days in Northern Saskatchewan without seeing another soul. Even in the province's "busier" paddling areas around Missinipi on the Churchill River, traffic is minimal compared to other Canadian paddling destinations.
The geological diversity adds another layer of fascination. In the "Pelican Window" area, paddlers can find three-billion-year-old Precambrian rock formations that create dramatic landscapes unlike anything you'd expect from Saskatchewan. Tyler's eyes light up describing the Athabasca Sand Dunes, Hunt Falls (the province's largest waterfall), and ancient pictographs along historic voyageur routes that connect the province's vast network of lakes and rivers.
For those inspired to explore Saskatchewan's hidden waterways, Tyler recommends connecting with local outfitters and using resources like GoTrekker maps. Many routes remain undocumented, requiring paddlers to study satellite imagery and topographic maps – adding an element of genuine exploration to each trip. As Tyler puts it: "There's so much to explore here and so much that's undocumented. That's where I keep my focus – trying to document these different routes that no one really knows about."
Ready for a paddling adventure that defies expectations? Follow Tyler's journeys on the Puddle Jumper YouTube channel and discover the Saskatchewan that tourists never see.

https://www.youtube.com/@puddlejumper-sk

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Finding Healing in the Forest: How a Chronic Condition Led to Epic Adventure

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Curtis LaFleche's life changed dramatically at age 16 when he was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis – a condition that causes spinal fusion and threatened his athletic pursuits. Rather than surrendering to limitations, this diagnosis sparked an unexpected journey into the wilderness that transformed his life.
"I just started walking down the ski trails," Curtis recalls, "and then I fell in love with hiking... seeing birds for the first time I didn't know existed and these plants." What began as rehabilitation became a profound connection with nature that would shape his future career in forestry and conservation, where he made conscious decisions to protect wildlife habitats and riparian zones while managing logging operations.
Now 46, Curtis embraces outdoor adventures with a wisdom born from decades managing chronic pain. His upcoming 15-day solo canoe expedition through Ontario's Temagami region represents both a physical challenge and a deeply meaningful journey. Beginning on Gamble Lake, where he planted trees 25 years ago, and ending at Emerald Lake, where his partner's family has scattered ashes of loved ones, the 160-kilometer route creates a perfect circle in his life story.
Curtis shares his meticulous planning process – from creating detailed spreadsheets tracking gear weight to dehydrating trail meals and calculating necessary daily calories. His "nothing but time" philosophy prioritizes enjoyment and safety over covering distance. "If I have to triple carry, I don't care," he explains. "I'm going to pull out my camera and watch birds and take three carries and spend two hours on the trail."
Beyond his personal adventures, Curtis finds joy in introducing his teenage daughters to the backcountry, carefully balancing challenge with comfort. "I think someday they're going to find solace in the forest," he reflects, recognizing how his own wilderness connection began during life's challenges.
Ready to embark on your own wilderness journey? Follow Curtis (@notsoepicdventurers) on Instagram and YouTube to witness his upcoming Temagami adventure and discover how nature can transform challenge into opportunity.

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Super Good Camping Podcast - The Ultimate Guide to Ontario's Most Spectacular Hiking Destinations

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:00.040

Hello and good day . Welcome to the Super Good Camping podcast . My name is Pamela .

Speaker 200:00:04.391

I'm Tim .

Speaker 100:00:04.919

And we are from supergoodcampingcom . We're here because we're on a mission to inspire other people to get outside and enjoy camping adventures such as we have as a family Today . We thought , wh