It turned out better than expected and we had really mild weather considering its mid-January. We started our 4 day backcountry trip in Killarney Provincial Park by hiking "The Crack", then spending a night at the George Lake Campground. First off, that is a pretty sweet cabin. That cabin looks amazing And more incredible hikes so envious and I cant wait to be able to stay overnight in new places again post lockdown! In the park, The Crack is a must-hike trail. That little cabin looks quite cosy and the lighthouse is so beautiful. We immediately stopped to listen. As you continue east past Pond Point, there is an easy scramble up an outcrop at bayside which leads to a great view of Killarney Ridge. The road into the campground typically closes in mid-November when it starts to snow. I have always wanted to do a winter backcountry trip in Killarney, but due to the tipi being so heavy and not having a clue where to go, I hadn't made it there as of yet. Killarney is easily one of my favourite parks. Killarney Provincial Park provides a wilderness experience like no other in Ontario. In July 2019 I backpacked the extreme and rugged Lake Superior Coastal Trail. ). Killarney Provincial Park offers five day-use hiking trails plus may other hiking opportunities. The trail is named for On the drive back to the park, we stopped to hike along the Granite Ridge Trail (2km, rated moderated). By the time we finished eating, the clouds were starting to clear. From the parking area follow the red sign and after 1 km you will find the blue sign which navigates you to the top of the Crack. Lucky us. Two of the parks five interior campsites are found along this trail and two other trails link to the Semiwite to form the parks backcountry hiking opportunity. This sure beats sleeping outside in a tent! Were hoping to return this year. We then drove back to our cabin and settled in for the remainder of the afternoon. Change). La Cloche Silhouette Trail is a backcountry hiking trail in Killarney Provincial Park. It was a bit nerve-racking as there arent many people around and cell reception wasnt the greatest. The trail is named for Group of Seven painter Franklin Carmichael's painting "La Cloche Silhouette." We stopped to check out the East Lighthouse. The landscape in Killarney is breathtaking I cant wait to return! It seems like my travel bucket list just keeps growing over the years. If the snow is deep, snowshoes will be required. After eating breakfast, we bundled up and reluctantly left our heated cabin. The accommodation and the landscape. I would love to visit Ireland someday, including Killarney National Park. And yes, it was nice to return to a warm cozy cabin after a day of hiking. Thanks for sharing and have a good day. Wishing the best of 2021. And then a second wolf ran by. And that wolves/deer encounter If you aren't well equipped with your own camping gear but still While it is suggested that this trail can take up to 10 days, we will be hiking its 100kms in six days and five nights. *Discounted rates apply to Ontario residents over 65 and Ontario residents with a disability. Apparently not anymore. Reservations can be made online or by phone: https://www.ontarioparks.com/reservations. We had very nice weather considering it was November. I enjoyed learning about Killarney. (LogOut/ Georgian Bay is beautiful. I can imagine those being in very high demand. So wonderful to be able to do this kind of hiking in November, even if some of the days were a bit gloomy. Winter Camping at MacGregor Point Provincial Park. Ive spent the past 3 seasons exploring every trail and as much of Killarney Provincial Park as possible. The second trail is the 6.9 kilometre George Island Trail which is best known for its casual nature and bird watching. Im glad we got our winter camping at MacGregor Point in last weekend when it was still open. The landscape is incredible and its no surprise that the Group of Seven drew inspiration from it. To balance out all the downhills, the path then climbs back up the ridge, somewhat less steeply this time. Enter your email address to receive post notifications straight to your inbox. Thanks for reading. It must have been quite something to have a deer cross your path followed by wolves! From the junction its a relatively short, but challenging push back to the trailhead. Killarney Provincial Park offers five day-use hiking trails plus may other hiking opportunities. Backpacking, hiking and photography. Extensive backcountry canoeing and sea kayaking experiences. No wonder actually, it is a popular park. Absolutely beautiful I cant wait to visit myself. The trailhead is located on the north side of the road. It looks like such a beautiful area! AllTrails has 11 great hiking trails, forest trails, views trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. The landscape in Killarney is so incredibly beautiful and is very photogenic. The trailhead is located 7km east of the park office off of Highway 637. km (247 sq. If you're interested in Topaz Lake, check it out here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/ontario/topaz-lake--3?u=i. We initially wanted to visit Killarney earlier in the fall to be there when the leaves were changing colour. The Crack - Killarney Provincial Park | Abandoned Urban Killarney Provincial Park - An Overview. Parking is available at the trailhead. We returned to the cabin to warm-up, take a break, and heat up some soup for lunch. Unlike many of the hiking trails around Killarney that are a chain of short ups and downs, this trail is like a mountain hike, with a long grind to the top and a return trip down the same route. Sturdy footwear, plenty of water and a park map and compass is recommended. Towards the end of the trail, there are a few warning signs to indicate that the path overlaps with La Cloche Silhouette Trail. We parked at the small parking lot, which had a sign for the trail and is also an access point for Turbid Lake. Catch panoramic views of Killarney and O.S.A lake and the stunning La Cloche Mountains surrounding them. We arrived just before 5:30p.m and drove straight to our cabin as the park office was closed for the day. Were hoping to visit again this year and book the cabin again. We then drove into Killarney (the town). Theres supposedly a trail that leads to the lighthouse (the Tar Vat Trail), but it wasnt clear where the trailhead was. The trailhead is located across Highway 637 from the park office. Everything was quieter. The trail gets its name from a small bay where local commercial fishermen of the late-1800s and early-1900s regularly tarred their nets to prevent them from deteriorating so quickly. Such wonderful photos! We have to rely on vague directors, and the odd tree blazing. We hope our stories can help as you plan for your adventures. Thanks for reading and commenting. (LogOut/ Deciduous trees are a plenty, which makes it a great fall camping adventure. The temperature hovered around 0C and it didnt get much colder than that during the night. Wow! We initially wanted to visit earlier in the fall to enjoy the fall colours, but of course the two cabins (and yurts) were all booked solid until November. It is recommended to stay over night at topaz lake, as it usually takes a day to get there. So many beautiful photos. Decorate your laptops, water bottles, helmets, and cars. On the drive out of the park, we stopped to hike along the Lake of the Woods Trail (3.5km, rated moderate to difficult). Maybe some day Ill make it there. live2hike2 Backcountry Trips Leave a comment February 2, 2020 April 7, 2020 2 Minutes. After eating breakfast, we went to the visitor centre to check-in and collect our permit. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. This trail is one of Ontario's classic multi-day hikes. There are three trail loops from 8 km to 14 km for a total of 35 km of ski opportunities. I think there must be at least one ancient abandoned car on every hiking trail. We left Toronto Thursday morning and after spending the afternoon hiking at Lake Laurentian Conservation Area in Sudbury, we drove to Killarney. We parked at the second beach area and from there its a short walk to get to the trailhead. 5. The path continues through the forest and leads up and down a series of small ridges. Tar Vat Bay Trail leads through the forest to Pond Point and back following Georgian Bay. From there its a short walk back to the car. Many of the hikes are suitable for experienced hikers and we were anxious to try our hand at hiking The Crack in Killarney with kids. From the parking lot its a short walk along an unmaintained road to the lighthouse, which is situated on a large rocky outcrop on the shore of Georgian Bay. It then leads down through the dense forest, much of which is blocked with fallen trees and overgrown firs and pines. After a fairly intensive 4km uphill battle, we were treated to breathtaking views on the summit of Silver Peak. Ive spent the past 3 seasons exploring every trail and as much of Killarney Provincial Park as possible. Within the final 20 minutes of the hike, it started to lightly sprinkle. You can travel in either direction around the loop but most backpackers travel in the clockwise direction, as in this photo hike. Havent hiked for a while but need to as doctor advised eating healthier and more exercise. 55 were here. The trail ends at the top and provides panoramic views of the surrounding area, La Cloche Silhouette Trail continues onwards. Wow, 5 months in advance?!! I booked the cabin back in the beginning of July as they are usually in high demand, especially because of the pandemic. It was great visiting Killarney during the off-season as the park was so quiet and the wildlife encounters were amazing. lighthouse. The trailhead is near the East Lighthouse in Killarney. The trail then leads back down to the campground. Looking for a great trail in Killarney Provincial Park, Ontario? Thanks for the pictures. The cabin was very cozy and it sure beats sleeping outside in the tent. Theres a reason that the Crack has become the most famous trail in Killarney Provincial Park. We also enjoy playing Rummikub! Youth $5.00 The electric blanket was really nice. The park is situated in La Cloche Mountain Range on the north shore of Georgian Bay and has an extensive network of backcountry hiking and canoe routes, as well as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. But of course the cabins and yurts were booked solid until mid-November. 2.9K views Just North of Toronto, the La Cloche Silhouette Trail in Killarney Provincial Park offers one truly amazing multi day backcountry hike. Paddling across clear topaz coloured lakes is We definitely turned around a few times, just out of paranoia. I love how the forest has started to reclaim it and plants and trees have now been growing around it. Thats an experience Im sure you will never forget. xx. Additionally, you will have to hike along the La Cloche Silhouette (rated moderate/difficult.) The bright quartzite peaks gleam under the sun, and provide a beautiful contrast to the windex blue lakes. I have made note of it. The trail loops around a lake, which we hiked counter-clockwise. A good trail with unbelievable viewpoints from the top in Killarney, Ontario, Canada. I guess I used to go to those places when my kids were little. One Week on the La Cloche Silhouette Trail | Killarney Park 9 Best Hikes in Killarney Provincial Park, ON | PlanetWare. Whether you want to stay on or close to the resort or venture down the road to Killarney Provincial Park, there are many hiking trails for all different skill levels to choose from that We pretty much had the entire park all to ourselves. Its a bit of a rugged climb and you will be pouring sweat once you get to the top, but the view is beyond worth it. The park was very quiet and we were often the only people on the trail. In the park, The Crack is a must-hike trail. It was nice to come back to somewhere warm after a day of hiking in the cold. The parks campground becomes a great trail network. "Hike in the footsteps of the Group of Seven" and discover for yourself why Killarney Provincial Park is the subject of so many of the impressionist's paintings. Yah, the trails with storyboards are generally short and sweet and relatively easy. We turned around and hiked back the way we came. There are 5 moderate trails in Killarney Provincial Park ranging from 0.9 to 14.1 miles and from 669 to 1,217 feet above sea level. Take care. Interior camping permits are required for backcountry camping at Killarney Provincial Park. We followed the path along a small boardwalk, which connects to an island on the lake. Come chill out in Killarney Provincial Park! These spectacular trails never get old, and never fail to leave me in awe of their stunning views. The trail forms a loop and passes bogs, swamps and marshes. The roads remain unplowed, and ski trails are groomed and set. In the winter, Killarney transforms into a cross-country skiing paradise. Cell reception isnt the greatest, so I just felt more vulnerable. About half a kilometre in, we heard a large animal stirring in the bush. The provincial parks in Ontario are pretty great at marking the trails. Backcountry Camping-Hiking. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The drive in was super sketchy and was along a bumpy gravel road with lots of potholes. And it was great to have a warm cabin to come back to after a day of hiking. At sign #4 the path passes by the remains of a car, which seems very out of place in the forest. From hiking and canoeing in the summer to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. Were hoping to return next year, assuming we can book one of the cabins again. There are 3 car camping campgrounds: George Lake A, George Lake B&C and George Lake D. There is only 1 comfort station offering hot showers, flush toilets and a laundry mat. Theres a reason that the Crack has become the most famous trail in Killarney Provincial Park. AllTrails has 11 great hiking trails, forest trails, views trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. We visited earlier in the summer, but it was nice to return in the fall during the off-season. Respect physical distancing along trail and at trailhead. But if you do get out there, the trails are generally quiet and there are no pesky mosquitoes or flies. October 2017. Hiking: Campsite specific reservations are available online or by phone up to five months in advance of your arrival date for the La Cloche Silhouette hiking trail. If youve booked a stay at the campground, your vehicle permit will allow you to park at the trailhead. Thanks for commenting. What an experience to see them up close and in action! It would be neat to do La Cloche Silhouette Trail a multi-day hike that usually takes between 7-10 days, but Ill need to work up to that. (LogOut/ Hiking trail guide for Killarney Provincial Park. The park has is a boat launch. Just minutes from the resort, Killarney Provincial Park provides backcountry enthusiasts with further opportunity to explore some of the best hiking Ontario has to offer. Such a rush with the wolves, luckily for you they were busy, not so much for the deer.. There are 6 hiking trails within the provincial park, meaning that you get to choose from moderate 2km hikes through La Cloche Mountains to 7-10 day adventures through 80km of breathtaking scenery. It also didnt hurt that we stayed in a heated cabin. We have the story boards on the shorter, interpretive trails. We initially wanted to go earlier in the fall to enjoy the fall foliage, but of course all the cabins and yurts were booked solid until mid-November. Catch panoramic views of Killarney and O.S.A lake and the stunning La Cloche Mountains surrounding them. I bet it did! We definitely spotted some unusual stuff on our hikes. After settling in, we made some dinner and played a few boardgames before heading to bed. (LogOut/ These spectacular trails never get old, and never fail to leave me in awe of their stunning views. Yamnuska) gets blue paint on the rocks, but thats it. Ive never seen a wolf so up close in the wild before. Were planning on visiting Manitoulin Island for a few days this summer. Killarney is open all-year round and provides a number of activities depending on the season. Featured. Instead we went back inside, made some dinner, and played a bunch of board games for the remainder of the evening. Killarney is considered a wilderness park, so much of the area is left to nature. And that little cabin was a good choice. There are 5 moderate trails in Killarney Provincial Park ranging from 0.9 to 14.1 miles and from 669 to 1,217 feet above sea level. Wow, beautiful! We had awesome weather last weekend for winter camping. The trail winds through the southern boundary of the park, crosses a series of small smooth ridges and leads down to a point on Georgian Bay. There are 5 moderate trails in Killarney Provincial Park ranging from 1.4 to 22.7 km and from 204 to 371 meters above sea level. We were lucky that we didnt get any rain or snow. Wishing you and yours all the best for the New Year as well. The entire trail is six kilometers, and it lies within Killarney Provincial Park. Chikanishing Trail 3 km (1.5 hours) moderate This trail winds along the parks southern boundary and crosses a series of small ridges and then ending at a wave-washed point on Georgian Bay. In 2004, 3 kms were added around H8, to bypass a bridge. We did do a day trip once up to Silver Peak. What a wonderful place.