Trails and Cycling Routes

If you would like a colour brochure listing these trails and a map, please contact us; otherwise, you can begin your journey right now:

01 Ganaraska Forest
 
This 4,000 hectare, multi-use area offers year-round recreational opportunities and has over 300km of trails passing through sandy, rolling terrain typical of the Oak Ridges Moraine. Nature study, photography and orienteering are popular activities in the forest as will be Treetop Trekking in March 2012. There are many access points, but many activities begin at the Ganaraska Forest Centre on Cold Springs Camp Road north of Ganaraska Cty Rd 9 near Kendal. Managed by the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority 1-905-885-8173 or 905-797-2721 (Forest Centre)

02 Oak Ridges Trail

The Northumberland portion of this trail is accessible at Northumberland's western boundary Cold Springs Camp Road which is off County Rd 9. Proceed north to the 10th Line for roadside parking. Follow the white blazes painted on tree trunks as you walk through the Ganaraska Forest. Blazes appear on utility poles and posts along the 15km portion from Bewdley to Gore's Landing. This portion mainly follows side and unmaintained roads. As of July 2010, a new extension has been added through the Northumberland County Forest which is as close to a wilderness experience you will have on this entire trail. The purchase of a guidebook is recommended. Phone: 877-319-0285

03 Ganaraska Hiking Trail
 
This 500km route starts in Port Hope and joins with the Bruce Trail near Glen Huron. The Northumberland portion is maintained by the Pine Ridge Hiking Club. The southern end of the trail is located at the large boulder opposite the Port Hope Town Hall on the west bank of the Ganaraska River. The trail heads north on the west bank of the river. Expect to encounter a variety of terrain including rolling and rocky sections. Ask Northumberland Tourism (1-866-401-3278) for a map of a particularly lovely, deep-woods 5km stretch of this trail north of Port Hope that follows an old abandoned rail line; otherwise, the trail booklet is highly recommended for excellent maps and extensive historical data. Check the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association to purchase the booklet. 

04 Majestic HillsTrail
 
This 1.5km trail passes through groves of sumac, pines, and maple trees. It crosses a valley with a sandy creek. A steep climb to the top of the other side of the valley allows you a commanding view of farm fields and Lake Ontario. The trail, north of Cty Rd 74, begins on an unassumed road allowance across from the Hamilton Township Office parking lot on County Rd 18.  

05 Ganaraska MillenniumTrail
 
A relatively level 2.4km looped trail along the Ganaraska River. After walking over the marsh boardwalk halfway along the trail, there is quite a steep slope up the eastern portion of the trail with gentle slopes heading back to the trail head. Various demonstration sites are designed to show landowners how to protect and enhance their properties through conservation techniques. The trail begins at the Ganaraska Conservation Authority offices on the northwest corner of Hwy 401 and County Rd 28 (across from Tim Horton's). Phone: 905-885-8173 

06 Spartan Ravine Walkway

This network of trails begins at Jocelyn Street (look for trailhead on south side) near Crossley Drive and connects with the Ganaraska Trail. For a time, breweries seeking a steady source of fresh water located along the ravine. The first of these, the Ambrose and Winslow Brewery, was built in the 1800s and burned to the ground in the 1970s. Phone: 888-767-8467   

07 Waterfront Trail

The Northumberland portion of this 650 km trail begins at Victoria Street South and Ridout Street in Port Hope east along the north shore of Lake Ontario mainly on County and side roads. A map is recommended and is available online at www.waterfronttrust.org
416-943-8080 or Port Hope Parks and Recreation 905-753-2230

08 Nawautin Nature Sanctuary and Wetland

This 5.31 hectare sanctuary shelters a wide variety of wildlife including deer, fox, beaver, rabbits and birds. Discover a small covered bridge, several ponds, waterfront parks and a pebbly beach that slopes gradually to Lake Ontario. Accessible from the Estate of Nawautin Shores, Lakeshore Road, south of Grafton Phone: 905-349-2822

09 Lime Kiln Trail

This .5km trail passes by farmers' fields on its way through a grapevine and cedar-lined forest. A lime kiln operated on this trail in the 1800s. Accessibile from Cty Rd 45 about 6km north of Hwy 401 in the village of Baltimore. Turn right on Community Centre Rd and drive 1.1km to the trail sign on your left. The trail opens up to a dead end road -- Lime Kiln Trail Road and then to Cty Rd 45. Cross the road towards a metal-gated laneway. Walk the lane down to the Ball's Mill Conservation area (scenic pond) to add another 1km to your journey. You will end up on Harwood Road. Phone: 905-342-2810 

10 Northumberland County Forest

Situated on the Oak Ridges Moraine, this forest is an ecological oasis for flora and fauna and offers an excellent opportunity to connect with nature. While ensuring these lands are protected, there is still plenty of recreational opportunities, with 50 plus kilometres of hiking trails including the single largest and continuous stretch of off road trail established on the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail. This trail can be enjoyed when you head north from Hwy 401 at exit 474 (Cobourg), drive approximately 14 km and turn off onto the right hand side parking area across from Morris Road at County Road 45. Follow the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail blazes to a 310m elevation for a wonderful view atop an abandoned ski hill. It takes about 25 minutes one way. In the forest there are also plenty of technical mountain biking trails, horseback riding trails on soft sandy soils, cross country skiing and snowshoeing over varied terrain and regional connections for snowmobiles and ATV's, with some dirt bike riding mixed in. And, fitting to the rolling hills of Northumberland, a spectacular view. Phone: 866-401-3278

11 Peter's Woods Provincial Nature Reserve

This special area represents the sole-surviving Oak Ridges Moraine "old growth" forest in Ontario. A .8km trail passes through an open field and circles the maple-beech forest. Accessible from McDonald Road north of the village of Centreton. Phone: 905-349-2822

12 Russ' Creek Trail

From Exit 474 on Hwy 401, take Cty Rd 45 north approximately 15 km to County Rd 29. Right turn at the first stop sign and a left turn at the next stop sign still keeps you on Cty Rd 29. Watch for Covert Hill Road on your right and head south approximately 1km to Russ' Creek Road. Hike Russ' Creek Rd 5km south through an area of natural and scientific interest which was a farming community in the mid 1800s now home to a remnant tallgrass prairie ecosystem containing provincially rare wildflowers, shrubs, trees and grasses as well as the animals and insects that depend on these species for survival. Where the trail forks .5km after crossing Dunbar Rd, keep to your left. The trail passes under a hydro corridor and ends across from the Day Rd sign at Cty Rd 22.

13 Millennium Trail

Meandering along one of Warkworth's most lovely features, the Mill Creek, this 2.6km wheelchair accessible trail offers a panoramic picture of the surrounding tree-covered drumlins, forests, uplands and valleys. Accessible from the bridge on Main Street in Warkworth just off County Rd 29. Phone: 705-653-1900 

14 Trans Canada Trail

The Northumberland portion of this trail spans from Hastings southeast to Hoard's Station (just east of Campbellford) taking you through 22km of marshland, meadows, hayfields and some shade trees. You'll be travelling on an abandoned rail line with 1" - 2" gravel. At the halfway point in Campbellford there is a deviation from the trail which will take you on some back roads, a steep hill, Rotary trail along the Trent River and over the Ranney Falls Suspension Bridge. A topographical map is recommended and is free by contacting us.

15 Ferris Provincial Park

Located on the shore of the Trent River in Trent Hills, this 200 hectare park offers several trails and a lookout towards picturesque Ranney Falls. The 91 metre Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge is a grand feature of the Park. It suspends 9 metres above the gorge connecting the 5km granular Rotary Trail (along the banks of the Trent Canal) to Ferris Park. Accessible from County Rd 8 south of Campbellford. Phone: 705-653-1900

16 Seymour Conservation Area

This 3km looped trail meanders through open meadows and woodlands.  No map is necessary; just keep to your left at each junction.  The beginning of the trail is accessible as it is hard-packed gravel.  A covered picnic shelter is at the trailhead as is an accessible privy.  On the west end of the property is an old quarry full of water for a fun swim after your hike. Accessible from County Rd 30 just south of Campbellford.
Phone: 613-394-4829 Lower Trent Conservation Area

17 Goodrich-Loomis Conservation Area
 
This area has 12km of trails suited to hikers of all ages. This diverse natural area supports a wide variety of ecological communities including a cold water stream, prairie remnants, a provincially significant wetland, oak savannah and mature mixed forest. Accessible from exit 509 at Hwy 401. Travel north on Cty Rd 30 and at Orland, turn west onto Goodrich Rd and travel for 2km. Phone: 613-394-4829

18 Brighton Provincial Wildlife Area
 
This 392 hectare section of Crown land offers multi-use trails passing forests, grasslands, streams and a 5 acre pond that provides excellent habitat for a variety of wildlife. Accessible from County Rd 26 approximately 3km north beyond Hwy 401 to Carman Road. East on Carman and a right on Coltman Road. Drive 2km to a large parking lot on your right.
Phone: 613 475-0670  

19 Proctor Park Conservation Area

This area offers a 2.5km marked hiking trail that weaves its way through mixed forest, carpets of ferns, rolling hills and a couple of interesting bridges. Accessible from the north side of the Proctor-Simpson Barn Theatre or the picnic shelter.  It's on Cty Rd 30 just north of the town of Brighton. Phone: 613-394-4829 

20 Presqu'ile Provincial Park

This popular park along the north shore of Lake Ontario offers several flat trails. Presqu'ile shelters one of the most important wetlands in the province and its position under a major flyway makes it especially popular with birds and birdwatchers. Accessible from Cty Rd 2 about 4km south of the town of Brighton. Phone: 613-475-4324