Trails

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.  It's touted as the best place to dirt bike near Toronto, not to mention great hiking trails.  Nature study, photography and orienteering are popular activities in the forest as is Treetop Trekking!  There are many access points, but many activities begin at the Ganaraska Forest Centre on Cold Springs Camp Road. 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 the Oak Ridges Trail is accessible in many places: at Northumberland's western boundary Cold Springs Camp Road which is off County Rd 9 (10th Line has roadside parking), Morris Road on County Road 45, McDonald Road north of Centreton, and Castleton. Follow the white blazes or aluminium strips on tree trunks as you take this provincial hiking trail through forests and quiet back roads. The purchase of a guidebook is recommended. For details, call 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 of this hiking trail 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 (for hiking only due to challenging terrain) that follows an old abandoned rail line; otherwise, the trail booklet with maps is found here as a pdf.

04 Hazel Bird Nature Reserve >>>

Visit oak savannah and tallgrass prairie habitats on this Nature Conservancy of Canada reserve in Hamilton Township.  The 3.2 km hiking trail takes you through fields and woodlands and includes interpretive signs, benches, and scenic vistas. It also lets you experience protected habitats that are being restored by the Conservancy and its supporters and volunteers. Accessible from Harwood Road/Regional Road 15 about  18 km north of Cobourg. Turn east on Beavermeadow Rd and drive 1.2 km to #9475 (a gate and property sign is on your left; north side. Please park on the north side of the road.  This is a side loop of the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail. For details, call the conservancy at (705) 749-1806.

05 Ganaraska Millennium Trail >>>

The Ganaraska Millennium Trail is 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).  For details, call 905-885-8173.

06 Spartan Ravine Walkway >>>

This network of hiking 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. For details, call 888-767-8467.

07 Waterfront Trail >>>

The Northumberland portion of this 650 km trail begins at Port Hope in the west and Brighton in the east on quiet back roads following the north shore of Lake Ontario. The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail has been identified as one of Ontario's Trails of Distinction.   A map is recommended and is available online or by calling 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. Along the hiking trail, discover a small covered bridge, several ponds, waterfront parks and a pebbly beach that slopes gradually to Lake Ontario. Accessible from Keewautin Drive or Nawautin Drive South, south of Grafton.   For details call 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. Accessible 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. For details, call 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. For details, call 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. For details, call 905-349-2822.

12 Russ' Creek Trail

Note:  no motorized vehicles allowed. 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 Rd (road allowance). 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. For details, call 705-653-1900.

14 Trans Canada Trail >>>

Identified as a Trails of Distinction, the Northumberland portion  of this Canada-wide 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 packed dirt rail line with 1" - 2" gravel approaching the Bailey Bridges. 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 Gorge Suspension Bridge. A map is recommended and is free by contacting us or you can view it online so you can be aware of points of interest along the way.

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 to help form the Trans Canada Trail.  Free 1 hour guided walks in the park are offered rain or shine at 9am every Tuesday from May - Dec.   Accessible from County Rd 8 south of Campbellford. For details, call 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. For details call the Lower Trent Conservation Area at 613-394-4829.

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 savanna 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. For details, call 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 of Hwy 401.  From the east, go north on Christiani/Coltman Road, 2km north of Hwy 401 to a large parking lot on your left.  For details, call 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. For details, call 613-394-4829.

20 Presqu'ile Provincial Park >>>

Presqu'ile Provincial Park is a 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. For details, call 613-475-4324.

21 Laurie Lawson Trail >>>

Five looped trails up to 1 km long take you through diverse habitants:  wetlands, pine and aspen forest, Cobourg Creek.  At the trailhead you're standing in a grand section of red pine forest planted in 1968.  Accessible from County Rd 18 north of Cobourg, turn west to 8000 Telephone Rd.  For details call 905-342-3851or view the map. 

22 Lucas Point Park Trail

This 2km looped, level trail sits on a bluff at the east end of Cobourg across from 130 Willmott Street with grand views of Lake Ontario.  Highlights include a small arboretum, a number of bird species and migrating Monarch butterflies in the fall.  

23 Crowe Bridge Park Trail >>>

The weir dam located in the Crowe River creates a wonderful swimming area. Alongside the river are peaceful places to hike and picnic. Over the years the land has been extensively developed offering gravel walking trails, several parking lots, and washrooms. See if you can spot the hidden and abandoned mini-putt course (remnants from the old campground days).

24 Accessible Forest Trails 

Northumberland County Forest has two universal trails, one at Carstairs Forest and one at the Beagle Club Trailhead. These trails are different from others in the County Forest because they have a sturdy, level surface on which to travel, made with a gravel base and limestone screening. Benches are also available at rest areas along the trail so no one has to go more than 364 m before finding a place to rest. The goal in creating these trails was to minimize barriers to accessibility and meet or exceed accessibility guidelines and regulations so that recreational opportunities in the forest are available to more members of our community.