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Like all good places for people to visit, there is always a Visitor Centre, and naturally, Algonquin Provincial Park is no exception. Located at km 43′s marker, Algonquin Visitor Centre is there to help you gain a little more understanding about the history and ecology of the park. No visit to Algonquin Provincial Park would be complete without a stop at the Visitor Centre at Km 43, opened in 1993 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Algonquin Park and the entire Ontario provincial park system.

The Visitor Centre has world class exhibits on the Park’s natural and cultural history, a relaxing restaurant, an excellent bookstore, and “The Algonquin Room” featuring ongoing exhibitions of Algonquin art. A theatre presentation sums up the Park story and then takes you out to the viewing deck from where you can admire a breathtaking panorama of wild Algonquin landscape.

Look out for the large sign by the side of the road indicating you have arrived and head up the road to the centre. Its a longer road than i first expected but you’re there sooner than you know. When we went the car park was only half full, so it seemed that it had plenty of parking – though i would imagine at some points in the year the car park may get rather busy! Remember if you’re going to park up anywhere in Algonquin Provincial Park or do any of the trails, you’ll need to pull up at the gates (big buildings just off the side of the road either end of Highway 60) and go in to get a Permit. These are $15.00 currently but the rates do change depending on the time of year, so remember to check out their website (linked at the bottom of the article!). (more…)

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Well, its Friday again! Time for the last (for now) of the trail articles from Algonquin Park, we could only cover a few of them on our visit as there simply is so much to do, I’d recommend you take at least three days if you want to hit on the best parts of the park! But don’t worry, if you’re wanting more Algonquin Park trail articles, we’re heading back in October to try catch the Autumn colours, and we’ll see what trails we can go on then!
The trail in this article is the Whiskey Rapids Trail, the very first of the trails along Hwy 60 on the left. Remember if you’re going to park up anywhere in Algonquin Provincial Park or do any of the trails, you’ll need to pull up at the gates (big buildings just off the side of the road either end of Highway 60) and go in to get a Permit. These are $15.00 currently but the rates do change depending on the time of year, so remember to check out their website (linked at the bottom of the article!)

Make sure you’ve picked up one of the Algonquin park news papers while you’re getting a permit, they’re free and they’re very .. VERY useful to use the map on the back so you know where you are going!

Before you go on any of these trails, remember to have brought with you, proper walking equipment – for example decent walking shoes with a good degree of tread, and comfortable clothes suitable for what ever the weather may be on the day you go on the trail. Another thing you’ll want to factor in is the bugs! If it’s forecast to be warm, chances are you’ll be up against the Mosquitoes and or Black Fly – so bring your bug repellent!

The Whiskey Rapids Trail is a 2.1kilometre loop starting on Highway 60, 7.2 kilometres from the West Gate of Algonquin. For about half of its length, the trail follows the Oxtongue River and culminates on a fine view of the picturesque Whiskey Rapids. The trail guide for this particular trail helps you understand the role of rivers in the natural and human history of Algonquin Park.
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Another Friday, and another article visit to Algonquin Provincial Park. This time, we’re not looking at a trail, just one of the small stop-offs which are along highway 60.
If you head down Highway 60, when you get to km 23.5, you’ll see the entrance to the Cache Lake Historic Site Exhibit car park. It’s actually a very big gravelled car park, so you’re likely to find parking at most times, though this car park as far as i can see can be used as a small boat marina as well as for the historic site.

Basically what you will find is an interesting spot – which although is historical, is the result of the removal of various previously essential components of the early park. You’ll arrive at the Car park and walk up to the right where you’ll find your first sign explaining the site. The sign explains that you are now standing at Cache Lake, the hub of Algonquin Park from the 1890s to the 1950s. Park Headquarters, a major railway station and a large hotel occupied this site during those years. As it says, all you need to do is take a 250 metre round trip along the old railway station platform to view four other historical panels which will explain what was there during those 60 years.
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Well, it’s Friday once more – and time for another trail review.. though this is a serious trail.. And one i have to admit i haven’t walked fully, mainly as you will need to dedicate your whole day to this trail – it’s the longest trail Algonquin Provincial Park has on highway 60!

First, I’ll say it again.. this is a beast of a trail. You really have to be serious about this one, it’s going to truly take the majority of your day to walk this one, and with a difficulty rating of “Difficult” you’ll need to make sure you’re properly equipped for the job too!

The Mizzy Lake Trail is an 11-Kilometre loop (not counting a two-kilometre optional side trip) beginning on the Arowhon Road just in from km 15.4 on Highway 60. The trail visits nine small lakes and ponds with a view to maximising your chances of seeing wildlife, particularly moose and beaver. Results obviously cannot be guaranteed but the possibilities are good, especially if you are at the prime areas early in the morning or later in the evening. (Try to avoid the middle part of summer days. That is by far the poorest time to see wildlife.)
You should wear good, solid, water resistant footwear and allow SIX HOURS to do the trail. If by some chance you have misjudged your rate of progress and want to avoid finishing the trail in darkness, you may walk back to the parking lot via the Arowhon or Weldwood roads, both of which connect to the old track part of the trail. (more…)

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Well its another of those Friday articles! Hopefully if you’ve had the appetite already this weekend you’ll be jetting off to Canada to start your Canada Trip! If not, that’s no problem – you’ll be heading out soon right? And if that’s the case, here’s another trail in that awe inspiring place that is Algonquin Provincial Park.
The trail I’m covering in this article is the Spruce Bog Boardwalk, a completely ‘paved’ trail that, although being longer than the Hardwood Lookout Trail, is actually easier, and is suitable for wheelchair users. As on all my articles on the Trails of Algonquin Park, I’m going to reiterate the usual tips. Remember if you’re going to park up anywhere in Algonquin Provincial Park or do any of the trails, you’ll need to pull up at the gates (big buildings just off the side of the road either end of Highway 60) and go in to get a Permit. These are $15.00 currently but the rates do change depending on the time of year.

The Spruce Bog Boardwalk's main Bog

Make sure you’ve picked up one of the Algonquin park news papers while you’re getting a permit, they’re free and they’re very .. VERY useful to use the map on the back so you know where you are going!

Before you go on any of these trails, remember to have brought with you, proper walking equipment – for example decent walking shoes with a good degree of tread, and comfortable clothes suitable for what ever the weather may be on the day you go on the trail. Another thing you’ll want to factor in is the bugs! If it’s forecast to be warm, chances are you’ll be up against the Mosquitoes and or Black Fly – so bring your bug repellent!

The Spruce Bog Boardwalk is a 1.5km, wheelchair-accessible loop which will take you across two separate bogs, the Sunday Creek Bog and a small kettle bog, enabling you to see at close range the little known bog habitat. About half of the trail’s length consists of boardwalk sections resting on bog mat.
To be honest, although it’s an easy trail, one of the very easiest in the park, for me it was actually the most fun. The variety of different sites sounds and environments you pass through make no section of it particularly samey.
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Well, i decided to break the recent double up of foody articles and include another article on the amasing Algonquin Park. I’ll say again what i always seem to say – and that should you be reading this as the first article you’ve seen about this Provincial Park, do not underestimate the size and sheer number of things to do in this place. The first time i went to Algonquin Park was in 2009 and we expected (having not done much research) the park to be similar to a UK national park such as the peak district.. but we were very wrong!
The park has many places of interest on the main route in the south, highway 60, especially trails you can go on. Just remember if you’re going to park up anywhere in Algonquin Provincial Park, you’ll need to pull up at the gates (big buildings just off the side of the road either end of Highway 60) and go in to get a Permit. These are $15.00 currently but the rates do change depending on the year.

The Trail this article is focusing on is the Peck Lake Trail.

Make sure you’ve picked up one of the Algonquin park news papers while you’re getting a permit, they’re free and they’re very .. VERY useful to use the map on the back so you know where you are going!

Before you go on any of these trails, remember to have brought with you, proper walking equipment – for example decent walking shoes with a good degree of tread, and comfortable clothes suitable for what ever the weather may be on the day you go on the trail. Another thing you’ll want to factor in is the bugs! If it’s forecast to be warm, chances are you’ll be up against the Mosquitoes and or Black Fly – so bring your bug repellent!

Peck Lake Trail is a 2.3 kilometre loop starting on Highway 60, 19.2km from West Gate of Algonquin Park. The trail takes you right around Peck Lake. The trail is of Medium difficulty, mainly due to the uneven and steep inclines you have to walk up and down. There are some fairly steep drops right by the path as well so make sure you have good footware on so you reduce risks of slipping. Remember to pick up one of the trail guides that you will find in the initial sign at the start of the trail. If you know you wish to keep the trail guide as a souvenir then put $0.50 into the pipe that is located right below it. Alternatively, you can always do this when you’ve completed your walk (or deposit the guide back in the small ‘letter boxes’ under the sign.
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Well, last year i wrote an article on Algonquin provincial park, and touched on a couple of things briefly. What i also said was that we greatly underestimated what was actually there! Well this year, we headed back to see in detail exactly what was there.. giving us enough time to call in on a couple of the places along Highway 60. Just remember if you’re going to park up anywhere in Algonquin Provincial Park, you’ll need to pull up at the gates (big buildings just off the side of the road either end of Highway 60) and go in to get a Permit. These are $15.00 currently but the rates do change depending on the year, Check out the links at the bottom of the article to have a look at the rate details in full for the permits. One thing i will say about the permits is that they’re very good value for money!

So, you’re kitted up – Make sure you’ve picked up one of the Algonquin park news papers while you’re getting a permit, they’re free and they’re very .. VERY useful to use the map on the back so you know where you are going!

Before you go on any of these trails, remember to have brought with you, proper walking equipment – for example decent walking shoes with a good degree of tread, and comfortable clothes suitable for what ever the weather may be on the day you go on the trail. Another thing you’ll want to factor in is the bugs! If it’s forecast to be warm, chances are you’ll be up against the Mosquitoes and or Black Fly – so bring your bug repellent!

The Hardwood Lookout is located at km13.8 up Hwy 60 and I’d recommend you go on this walk as a warm up. It’s a short 0.8km loop featuring a pleasant walk through typical Algonquin hardwood forest and a fine view of the Smoke Lake Basin. The difficulty level for this particular trail is medium, but to be fair, the walk is pretty easy in general for anyone – the only bits that cause it to be medium is a small uphill incline that is very ‘rooty’ which I’ll show you later, and a number of steep ascents and descents down hillsides. This trail is also handily ‘paved’ with fine chippings.. So be careful as they may be slightly loose in some places, make sure you have a good foothold before heading down a steep part of the path!

So, you park up in the car park and get out, a quick look around will give you an idea of where to go, you’ll see the entrance back onto the road, a small path that seems to head up into the woods, and in the corner the Trail Sign which you’ll become familiar with the more trails you do. (more…)

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I love letting you all know of little hidden secrets and gems, ones which many would never find sometimes even in a lifetime.. so one of these places that I’d like to introduce you to – is the Country Fare & Inn. To do it though, I’m going to set the scene, with the story of how we came across it!

While we were out in Canada last week, we went to a family wedding, and the reception was at a place, around a lake we’d never been round before. Unfortunately, after we’d picked up the truck and had driven out to the area, we had forgotten the name of the place we were going to and we had to rely on the sat nav to take us to the place it suggested. One thing about the place our sat nav had taken us was that even if this place wasn’t the place the wedding reception was going to be – it sure had one amazing view over a beautiful lake, surrounded by sheltered bays, all bathed in woodland with the slight glimpse of the odd cottage scattered along the shoreline on the far sides. We weren’t blessed with the best weather that day, and there were quite a few clouds around, not to mention the large looming raincloud off to the left of us, so i hopped out of the truck and took some photos of this beautiful scenic lookout – beside a store.

View over Baptiste Lake on a slightly cloudy day

We set off to Bancroft to get something to eat while trying to decide on what was best to do – we just couldn’t remember the name of the place the wedding reception was at and we were doubting our sat nav.. had we put the right address in 118 village road? or 188 village road.. so we headed back to that store, where the sat nav wanted us to go – with the beautiful view and tried to ring someone who would know on the pay phone just outside. Unfortunately the person we were trying to ring was in a no-signal area. . . but as the rain started to pour, things started to click in place. This place wasn’t just a store. On closer inspection, having got out of the truck one more time, there seemed to be tables set, down some steps behind the store. This gave us a little hope. We knew we were in the right area so we decided the best thing was to wait, and see if we saw anyone we knew passing by in their vehicles..
Finally, someone did.. and parked right up beside us! This place, as we finally were reminded – was the Country Fare & Inn, Baptiste Lake!

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Well, this last trip i went with the intention of heading up to Algonquin Provincial Park, and since we worked out a route past Muskoka Wildlife Centre, we thought we’d tag it onto that, and then make it back to eat at Wild Wing that night… wow did we underestimate Algonquin Park..

Algonquin Provincial Park

In the UK, lets face it – Although we created the idea of National Parks, we figured the best thing is to designate an area and let it sit there.. So in the UK our national parks, although a place of great beauty very rarely have huge potential for long stays – unless you plan on going hiking across the wilderness. A few scenic lookout points along the road and a tea shop or two in a quiet village is the most many who travel through the peak district for example get to see.. We went to Algonquin, naively expecting the same.. And we were so very wrong! This place is so packed that not only could we not get everything we needed in the short time we had there – but i’m wondering if in the whole day we’re planning next trip to go there – will be enough time to get a good snapshot of everything this beautiful Canadian national treasure has to offer.. So, here’s the information i wished i had had before we headed there!
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Hey there everyone! I’m doing this smaaall article from Canada since i thought it’d be a fairly good idea to put up a lil info about what we’ve been up to!

Algonquin Provincial Park

Now, we’ve been busy, we always are – and now we find ourselves specifically hunting out and descovering places to tell you about, and we sure have done that! – places we’ve been so far this week include Bancroft, Algonquin park (and wow did we underestimate what was on offer there!), Muskoka Wildlife Centre, Kirkfield Lift Lock, New market, Orillia and of coarse the beach near Bolsover, Lake Simcoe. (more…)

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