The Muskoka region is one of the ultimate winter destinations in Ontario. Muskoka is the perfect hub for all Canadian winter activities. One of my favourite winter activities is hiking, and Muskoka has so many beautiful winter hiking spots to explore. I hope you enjoy my list of six winter hiking spots in Muskoka, Ontario!
Limberlost Forest – Solitaire Lake Trail
Limberlost Forest is our favourite winter hiking spot in Muskoka that we have discovered so far. Not only is this gem open to the public all year round but it is also free to visit! With 20 private lakes and tons of trails for hiking, biking, skiing, and snowshoeing, you will never be bored at Limberlost. They also offer rental accommodations (cottages, cabins) and campsites.
More information on Limberlost Forest: https://limberlostforest.com/
My favourite winter hike at Limberlost is the Solitaire Lake Trail, which goes around Solitaire Lake and takes around 2 hours at a moderate pace. Park at the main/first parking lot and look for the sign for the trail near the check-in/visitor information booth. On this beautiful trail you’ll pass by several cottages so make sure to be respectful.
Near the end of the hike, the trail will take you up a rock cliff to a quartz deposit. Once here, stay right and follow the sign that says Echo Rock Lookout. Take a break at the lookout for an incredible view of Solitaire Lake. After that, you will head down the cliff and come to a road where you can take Clear Lake Trail back to the parking lot (cross the road to the trail entrance on the other side) or walk down the road.
Limberlost Forest – Buck Lake Trail
Another one of my favourite winter hiking spots at Limberlost is Buck Lake Trail. Drive past the first parking lot and follow signs for Buck Lake. This hike takes around 1.5 hours give or take. You’ll pass by icicles hanging off cliffs and a boardwalk overlooking a beautiful dam.
Limberlost Forest – Turtle Lake and Clear Lake Trails
Turtle Lake and Clear Lake trails are the most popular and easiest hikes at Limberlost. Walking around each lake takes about an hour. At the north end of Turtle Lake there is a wooden bench and chair – a great spot to rest and admire the lake!
Arrowhead Provincial Park – Stubb’s Falls Trail
Arrowhead Provincial Park is a great place for winter activities such as hiking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and skating. Stubb’s Falls Trail is a quick but beautiful trail to hike in the winter, with a waterfall as the main attraction. This trail takes about 45 minutes.
BONUS: Arrowhead Provincial Park Ice Skating Trail
Although it’s not a hiking trail, I had the best time skating on Arrowhead’s 1.3 km ice skating loop trail. What’s more Canadian than skating through a forest in the winter? Due to COVID-19, they are allowing only 50 people on the trail at a time with no time limit to skate so be prepared to wait outside in a line. I highly recommend visiting early in the morning and arriving before the trail opens to line up. Once you enter the park, simply follow the signs for the ice skating trail parking – this parking lot is quite small and fills up quickly. Please also note that they close the trail from 11:30am-1:00pm for daily maintenance.
More information on Arrowhead Provincial Park: https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/arrowhead
Lions Lookout Trail
Lions Lookout is a famous cliff top viewpoint in downtown Huntsville, the largest town in Muskoka. Start your hike at the Forbes Hill Drive and Camp Kitchen Road intersection by the Active Living Centre – there is parking here. Head down Camp Kitchen Road where you’ll walk alongside the Muskoka River and a historic railroad track. The end of the road will bring you to one of the Heritage Place train stations. Here you’ll have a great view of Fairy Lake on ground level. Reverse your steps a bit and you will find a trail that leads through the forest, up a steep hill, to the sports track. Cross the sports track to Lookout Road and head up the road to reach Lions Lookout. Here you will have amazing views of Fairy Lake and Huntsville.
Hunters Bay Trail
Hunters Bay Trail is another hiking trail in Huntsville, which runs along one side of the Muskoka River and Hunters Bay. Head north on Centre Street and you will find a small parking lot just past Payne Drive and just before you drive over the bridge crossing the river. This hike takes about 1.5 hours. You’ll walk past a beach and along floating docks.
I hope you enjoyed my list of six winter hiking spots in Muskoka, Ontario!
To read my blog post, “A Guide to Huntsville, Ontario in the Fall,” click here.
To read my blog post, “10 Winter Hiking Spots in Southern Ontario,” click here.
To read my blog post, “10 Great Hiking Spots in Southern Ontario,” click here.
