Windy Ridge Conservation Area: Beautiful Short Hike in Kawartha Lakes

Windy Ridge Conservation Area is the perfect place to go if you’re looking for a shorter hike with pretty scenery. The conservation area is technically located in Omemee, Kawartha Lakes, but it’s more like the middle of nowhere. With that said, it’s less than 20 minutes from Lindsay and under 30 minutes from Peterborough. It’s worth the trip if you’re looking for a new place to hike with a lookout.

Windy Ridge Conservation Area Map

Here is the Windy Ridge Conservation Area trail map. As you can see, there is one loop trail from the parking lot. The hiking trail is surrounded by meadows, wetlands, and the picturesque Pigeon River. In total, the park is 209 acres: 87 acres were originally donated by Hugo Germeraad in 1999, and an additional 122 acres were secured by Ontario Heritage Trust and Ducks Unlimited.

Windy Ridge Conservation Area Hiking Trail

The hiking trail at Windy Ridge Conservation Area is a 1.5km loop trail that starts and ends at the parking lot. From the parking lot, you can either start hiking on the trailhead near the little bathroom building (the west side) or from the east side of the parking lot. If you want to avoid climbing up a big hill, start at the side of the trail that isn’t by the bathroom building.

You’ll begin hiking through calm and gentle meadows near neighbouring farmlands. When I visited Windy Ridge Conservation Area, I was the only one there. As this trail is not near any major cities and it’s a shorter trek, it’s a little less popular than other spots. But, it’s really such a pretty place to go for a walk and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

The Lookout at Windy Ridge

Windy Ridge Conservation Area lives up to its name. You’ll slowly ascend from the parking lot all the way to the lookout point. It’s only about a 10 or 15 minute walk tops from the parking lot. This is such a stunning view. There are panoramic scenes overlooking Oak Ridges Moraine, the Hogsback Esker, significant wetlands, Pigeon River and Fleetwood Creek.

Beyond the Lookout

As you continue hiking the loop beyond the lookout, you’ll encounter a steep downward hill. This is the hill that I was talking about earlier. It’s likely easier to climb down the hill than it is to climb up it, especially if it’s muddy or slippery depending on the time of year. Once you’re at the bottom, keep following the trail and you’ll walk right alongside the river bed for more pretty views.

The hike will likely take you around 30 minutes, adding time if you choose to stay and admire the lookout view for a while. If you want to keep on walking, you can venture to the nearby Victoria Rail Trail beyond the park. The rail trail does not connect to the conservation area, so you’ll have to walk down Mt Horeb Road for a short while to get there.

Plan Your Visit

Windy Ridge Conservation Area is free to visit. The conservation area is open all year long: May to October from 7:00am to 9:00pm, and November to April from 8:00am to 6:00pm. There is free parking year round, though the parking lot is not maintained during the winter months.

There is a bathroom near the parking lot, and a couple of different picnic areas. By the parking lot, there is a picnic shelter, and you’ll find a picnic table closer to the river halfway through your hike. This trail is great for kids, great for walking your dog (on a leash), and you can go snowshoeing and cross-country skiing here in the winter (the trails are ungroomed).

More Hiking in Kawarthas Northumberland

Looking for more hiking in the Kawarthas Northumberland region? Here are some more nearby hiking trails:

• Ferris Provincial Park (and the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge)
• Proctor Provincial Park (Brighton, Ontario)
• Presqu’ile Provincial Park (Brighton)

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