10 winter hikes in Ontario to add to your bucket list

Another trail that brings you to a scenic winter waterfall, this 3.5-kilometre loop is a great moderate winter hike in this area. You can also snowshoe on this trail, so pack them with you if the weather and snowfall call for it.

Near the small town of Warsaw is this serene nature area, home to unique natural caves that you can visit via a network of easy, enjoyable winter hikes.

This non-operating (meaning it doesn’t have the typical facilities of other provincial parks) park has a popular through-trail that gives fantastic views and incorporates wooden bridges to make crossing streams easier.

Another provincial park with many options for winter activities, this Algonquin hike offers great views of Jack Lake, one of its best-known spots. At about 3.5 kilometres, it’s a well-rounded option for both new and experienced winter hikers.

Though regular park facilities like campsites aren’t open throughout the winter at Sleeping Giant, snowshoeing and hiking trails are, and they remain popular throughout the season. Many of the trails here open to beautiful vistas of Lake Superior and beyond.

This stunning, expansive forest in Muskoka has a solid network of hiking trails, and its website offers helpful guides and descriptions for hikes of various levels. For a classic, snow-dusted forest vista, Limberlost is a great go-to.

This easy loop is part of the larger Niagara Peninsula’s conservation area, which is home to many different hikes regularly used in the winter. Since this area tends to have milder winters than some parts of Ontario, it’s a good spot for outdoor winter activities in general.

This expansive trail runs through the three communities of Aurora, Newmarket, and East Gwillimbury, but there are many shorter routes within it that you can do for an easy day hike or something more challenging. It makes for a good winter hike option, with the varying landscape and numerous access points.

Experienced hikers may already be familiar with this famous hike in Killarney, and tackling it in the winter adds an extra challenge. With proper gear, including ice crampons and sturdy boots, The Crack can be conquered in the snow and ice, making for a rewarding, unique experience.

A waterfall in winter can be just as, if not more, beautiful as in other seasons, and Stubb’s Falls is an easy trail that takes you to see one in Arrowhead Provincial Park. It’s well maintained throughout the snowy months and clocks in at just over two kilometres.