Best Muskoka Hiking Trails: Ultimate Guide to Hiking in Muskoka

There are so many amazing Muskoka hiking trails that it can be difficult to know where to start. From the moment you lay eyes on those massive rocks of the Canadian shield and those famous windswept trees, so many outdoor adventures await. In fact, many of them appear on my list of the 100 best hiking trails in Ontario.

In this Ontario hiking blog post about the best Muskoka trails, I’m going to show you the parks and conservation areas that need to be on your list this year. You might find yourself returning to Muskoka again and again. There are so many breathtaking views, beautiful lakes, and magnificent waterfalls.

Algonquin Provincial Park

Algonquin Provincial Park is probably the most famous place in Ontario for hiking, camping, and outdoor adventures. It’s one of the largest provincial parks in Ontario and offers some of the most accessible wilderness for those living in major cities like Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton and more.

Some of my favourite Muskoka trails at Algonquin Park include Booth’s Rock Trail, the Spruce Bog Boardwalk Trail, the Lookout Trail, the Track and Tower Trail, Whiskey Rapids Trail, Beaver Pond Trail, Mizzy Lake Trail, and the Barron Canyon Trail. You can combine a few of these Muskoka hikes if you plan to visit for the day. If you’re camping at Algonquin Park, you can tackle many of these hiking trails during your trip.

Muskoka Trails: Arrowhead Provincial Park

Arrowhead Provincial Park contains several quintessential elements that you might be looking for in Muskoka hiking trails. There are many trails at Arrowhead, so here are the ones that you don’t want to miss on a day trip there.

First, Big Bend Lookout has one of the most stunning views. It isn’t too much of a hike as there’s a parking lot right next to the viewing deck. But, you don’t want to miss it. There are panoramic views of the Big East River that encircles the forest.

Next, the Stubb’s Falls Trail is where you’ll actually be able to go on a hike. The trail leads you to a bridge and a rocky area right next to a beautiful waterfall (Stubb’s Falls). You can sit on the rocks and admire the views all around. There are several other Muskoka trails at Arrowhead Provincial Park to explore while you’re there, too. Check out the Ontario Hiking guide to Arrowhead Provincial Park to plan your trip.

Muskoka Hiking Trails in Bracebridge

The Trans Canada Trail meanders through Bracebridge and you can see five different waterfalls from the trail. You can hike the entire Trans Canada Trail in Bracebridge or you can do it in sections in order to maximize your time in an afternoon.

High Falls (as well as Potts Falls and Little High Falls), Wilson’s Falls, and Bracebridge Falls are all located on the Trans Canada Trail. You can walk for as much or as little as you like on the Trans Canada Trail, which is the longest trail in Canada (and technically the world). The Trans Canada Trail is one of the best Muskoka hiking trails, especially these portions of it in Bracebridge.

Georgian Bay Islands National Park (Beausoleil Island)

Georgian Bay Islands National Park is located within Muskoka and you need to hike the trails at Beausoleil Island. It’s an amazing adventure as you’ll take the DayTripper ferry from Honey Harbour to Beausoleil Island for the day. You can also go camping at Beausoleil Island, too! There are a collection of north trails and south trails on Beausoleil Island.

I went hiking on the north trails, including the Cambrian Trail loop, and the Fairy Trail loop. They offer such gorgeous scenery, and it’s a good amount of hiking before you need to catch the ferry back to the mainland.

You’ll walk along the shoreline, through peaceful forests, and there’s even an opportunity to take a dip in the bay in the summertime. Bring your swimsuit for this hike! This national park in Ontario doesn’t get enough attention, so I hope you get the chance to visit sometime soon.

Hardy Lake Provincial Park

Hardy Lake Provincial Park is one of my favourite places to go hiking in Muskoka. You’ll witness nearly non-stop scenic views of Hardy Lake along the way. It’s one of the best Muskoka trails because it’s lesser known and you might even have it all to yourself on a weekday. Enjoy boardwalks upon boardwalks that extend across the lake with several viewpoints on the way.

You’ll find the most beautiful lookout points halfway through your hike. Boardwalks around Hardy Lake lead to a small rocky island with picturesque views. Some other intriguing highlights at Hardy Lake Provincial Park include historic ruins and a little cascading waterfall.

Muskoka Hiking Trails: Limberlost Forest

Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve near Huntsville is a favourite among Muskoka locals. After reading so many recommendations to go hiking at Limberlost in the Ontario Hiking Facebook group, I finally managed to make it up there for a hiking trip.

Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve is described as “a publicly accessible private year-round wilderness haven with twenty private lakes and more than 10,000 unspoiled acres of mixed forest near Huntsville, Ontario, Canada.” It’s a truly enchanting place to go hiking in Ontario.

There are several Muskoka hiking trails at Limberlost to explore, so you can visit multiple times for new experiences each visit. I trekked around Solitaire Lake on the Solitaire Lake Loop Trail. There are stunning views of the lake throughout the trip with a few boardwalks, including one spot where you hike beneath big rocky cliffs. Then, you can hike to the top of the rocks for an amazing lookout spot.

McCrae Lake Conservation Reserve

McCrae Lake is a large lake that’s connected to Georgian Bay and offers many similar features of Georgian Bay as well. You’ll hike on granite rocks of the Canadian Shield and witness many windswept pine trees. You’ll hike on the McCrae Lake Conservation Trail from the parking lot to McCrae Lake and back. This is an out and back trail, meaning that it doesn’t form a loop.

Some highlights along the McCrae Lake Conservation Trail are the Eagles Nest Lookout, hiking through the dense forest, and being able to admire the brilliant views of McCrae Lake. You can go swimming in the lake in the summer, too. It’s also a popular place to go camping. McCrae Lake is crown land with about 50 campsites that are first come, first serve.

Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery

Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery might not be on your radar, but you’ll find some of the best Muskoka hiking trails here. They offer hiking trails that are open in all seasons, as well as a skating trail and snowshoe trails in the winter.

There are over 10km of trails at Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery: the Cranberry Trail (1.1km), Orville Lake Nature Trail (2.5km), Sandsmen Trail (1.2km), Medora Creek Trail (3.1km), Pioneer Trail (2km), and the Superberry Trail (7.5km). Depending on the season, you might also have the chance to see the cranberry harvest, tour Blueberry Hill, or enjoy the fall colours.

Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls Provincial Park

Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls Provincial Park is often overshadowed by its neighbour, Algonquin Provincial Park, as it is nestled on the southwestern edge of Algonquin. However, it’s totally worth visiting on your way into Algonquin or simply on its own. I combined a day trip hike to Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls PP with one to Limberlost Forest, if you’re looking for suggestions.

At Oxtongue River Ragged Falls, a short trail from the parking lot leads to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Ontario. This Muskoka hiking trail is only 1km long, but it leads to the magnificient Gravel Falls. This is a powerful, gorgeous, whitewater falls that’s the result of glacial meltwater. Even though it’s a short hike, it offers a big reward for very little effort.

Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Preserve

Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Preserve is the world’s first permanent dark sky preserve since 1999. While many visitors flock to Torrance Barrens to view the night sky, there are also many wonderful Muskoka hiking trails to check out at the conservation area.

There are three trails: the Main Trail (3km), Pine Ridge Loop Trail (5km), and the Barrens Extension (6km). You’ll walk across boardwalks that loop around peaceful marshes. There are also several viewpoints of the beautiful Barrens landscapes. Plus, you might even spot some beavers or other wildlife while hiking here.

More Muskoka Hiking Trails

There are so many fantastic places to go hiking in Muskoka beyond the trails that I’ve mentioned above. Here are some more Muskoka trails that I’m sure you’ll love on my list of honourable mentions.

• Lions Lookout Trail in Huntsville
• Hunters Bay Trail in Huntsville
• Fairy Vista Trail in Huntsville
• Dwight Heritage Walking Tour (Dwight)
• Hillside Hamlet Trail (Hillside)
• Huckleberry Rock Lookout Trail in Bracebridge
• Walker’s Point Lookout Trail in Torrence
• Tree Museum in Gravenhurst

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