Trails

Explore a variety of beautiful trails in Northumberland County. Browse our trails listing below or download the printable and accessible map guide.

Northumberland County Trails

01 Ganaraska Forest

This 4,000 hectare, multi-use area offers year-round recreational opportunities. It 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. Access from Northumberland's western boundary, Cold Springs Camp Road off County Rd 9 (10th Line has roadside parking). You can also access from Morris Road on County Road 45 or McDonald Road north of Centreton and Castleton. Follow the white blazes or aluminum 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 across from 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. Call Northumberland Tourism (1-866-401-3278) for a map of a deep-woods 5km stretch of this trail north of Port Hope. The path, for hiking only due to challenging terrain, follows an abandoned rail line. 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 Beaver Meadow 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 866-281-5331.

05 Ganaraska Millennium Conservation Area

The Ganaraska Millennium Conservation Area is a relatively level 2.4km looped trail along the Ganaraska River. After walking over the marsh boardwalk halfway along, there is a steep slope up the eastern portion with gentle slopes heading back to the trailhead. 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 office 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

The Spartan Ravine Walkway is part of a network of hiking trails begins at Jocelyn Street (look for trailhead on south side) near Crossley Drive. It connects with the Ganaraska Trail. For a time, breweries seeking a steady source of fresh water were located along the ravine. The first of these, the Ambrose and Winslow Brewery, was built in the 1800s. It burned to the ground in the 1970s. For details on the trail system, 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 at 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, ponds, waterfront parks and a pebble beach on Lake Ontario. Nawautin Nature Sanctuary and Wetland is accessible from Keewatin Drive or Nawautin Drive South, south of Grafton. For details call 905-349-2822.

09 Lime Kiln Trail

Lime Kiln Trail is a .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 or visit Hamilton Township Recreation and Leisure page.

10 Northumberland County Forest

Situated on the Oak Ridges Moraine, this forest is an ecological oasis for flora and fauna. It offers an excellent opportunity to connect with nature. These lands are protected but there are still plenty of recreational opportunities. There are 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 plenty of technical mountain biking trails and horseback riding trails on soft sandy soils. There are trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing over varied terrain as well as regional connections for snowmobiles and ATV's, with some dirt bike riding. Fitting to the rolling hills of Northumberland, there are some spectacular views. For details, call 866-401-3278. NOTE: For the 2022/2023 winter season, the Carstairs Tract, Elderberry, Bowmanton and Split Rail Trails will be temporarily closed for timber harvest operations. Parking lots at these locations will also be closed. More information.

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 905-436-2036

12 Lucas Point Park Trail

This 2km looped, level trail sits on a bluff at the east end of Cobourg across from 130 Willmott Street. It features beautiful views of Lake Ontario. Highlights include a small arboretum, a number of bird species and migrating Monarch butterflies in the fall. For more information call the Town of Cobourg at 905-372-7371 or visit their website.

13 Millennium Trail

This 2.6km wheelchair accessible trail runs along Mill Creek in Warkworth. It offers a panoramic picture of tree-covered drumlins, forests, uplands and valleys. Accessible from the bridge on Main Street in Warkworth just off County Rd 29. For details, call 1-888-653-1556.

14 The Great Trail

Formerly the 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). The trail will take 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. This will take you on some back roads, a steep hill, Rotary trail along the Trent River and over the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge. You can view the Canada-wide map, and zoom in to the Northumberland area, online so you can be aware of points of interest along the way. If you'd like to have easy access on your phone, download The Great Trail app for iOS or Android.

15 Ferris Provincial Park

Located on the shore of the Trent River in Trent Hills, this 200 hectare park offers several trails. There is also a lookout towards beautiful Ranney Falls. The 91 metre Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge is an exciting feature of the Park. Nine metres above the gorge, the bridge connects the 5km granular Rotary Trail (along the banks of the Trent Canal) to Ferris Park. This helps to 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 for a fun, post-hike swim. 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 variety of habitats, 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 Accessible Forest Trails 

Northumberland County Forest has two universal trails, one at Carstairs Forest and one at the Beagle Club Trailhead. These trails have a sturdy, level surface on which to travel, made with a gravel base and limestone screening. Benches are available at rest areas along the trail. No hiker has to go more than 364m before finding a place to rest. The goal in creating these trails was to minimize barriers to accessibility. By meeting or exceeding accessibility guidelines and regulations, recreational opportunities in the forest are available to more members of our community. NOTE: For the 2022/2023 winter season, the Carstairs Tract trail will be temporarily closed during timber harvest operations. The Carstairs parking lot and trails will be closed. See more information on Facebook. 

19 Proctor Park Conservation Area

This area offers a 2.5km marked hiking trail that weaves through mixed forest, carpets of ferns, rolling hills and 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 that offers several flat trails. Presqu'ile shelters one of the most important wetlands in the province. 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 1km long take you through diverse habitants: wetlands, pine and aspen forest, and Cobourg Creek. At the trailhead you're standing in a 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 905-372-3923 or visit www.nltrust.ca.