Peterborough Trails Guide

Eels Creek Canoe Route

Location: Hwy 28 bridge north of Woodview south to the bridge on Northey's Bay Road.

Length: 2 days.

Description: There are five portages of varying difficulty on this mainly flatwater route. Highlights include High Falls and a trail from there to Petroglyphs Provincial Park.

Emily Provincial Park

Location: County Road 10, Peterborough.

Length: 1 km.

Description: This boardwalk leads you through a marsh to a viewing platform on a small island. During spring and summer Osprey can be seen on nearby nests.

The trail is managed by Ontario Parks. For more information, please visit their website .

Ganaraska Forest

Location: There are several access points but most facilities are at the Ganaraska Forest Centre on Cold Springs Road north of Regional Road 9 (also known as Ganaraska Road) near Kendal.

Length: 100 km

Description: This large, mostly reforested area offers trails passing through sandy, rolling terrain typical of the Oak Ridges Moraine.

The forest is managed by the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority. For more information, visit http://www.grca.on.ca/ganfor.htm.

Ganaraska Trail

Location: Accessible at several locations in the Peterborough County region.

Length: 450 km.

Description: One of Ontario's major long-distance trails, this route starts in Port Hope and joins with the Bruce Trail near Glen Huron. Expect to encounter a variety of terrain including rolling, rocky sections.

The trail is managed by the Ganaraska Trail Association. For more information, please visit http://www.grca.on.ca/ganfor.htm.

Jackson Creek Kiwanis Trail

Location: The most convenient entrance to the trail is left off Fairbairn Street from Parkhill Road.

Length: 4 km

Description: The trail opened on June 3, 1995 as part of the Trans-Canada Trail System. This former rail line has been converted for walking and cycling use and travels along Jackson Creek from Jackson Park, to Ackinson Road. The trail takes visitors through forests, agricultural fields and a wetland. Wildlife is abundant along the trail. The last kilometre of the trail passes through the Jackson Creek Wetland, of special interest to bird watchers.

For more information please contact Otonabee Conservation at (705) 745-5791.

Kawartha Highlands Canoe System

Location: Sucker Lake and Catchacoma Lake.

Length: Ranges from short daytrips to lengthy multiple day trips.

Description: Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park contains a large number of lakes suitable for canoe tripping. There are numerous routes to choose from including a shorter trip starting at the Beaver Lake Road bridge on Catchacoma Lake and goes to Bottle Creek, Bottle Lake, Sucker Lake and back. Allow 4-5 hours.

Kawartha Nordic Ski Trails

Location: Simmons parking lot is 40 km north of Peterborough on Hwy 28 just north of Haultain.

Length: 50 km.

Description: This extensive system of cross-country ski trails is free of charge to club members. Classic style skiing only is permitted on these wilderness trails which are managed by the Kawartha Nordic Ski Club.

Lakefield Millennium Trail

Location: Lakefield.

Length: 5.5 km.

Description: This network of trails, constructed in the year 2000, meanders through the village of Lakefield. The trail mainly follows the shore of the Otonabee River and Lake Katchawanooka, with information kiosks/gazebos, benches, and historical and interpretive signage denoting many points of interest along the way.

For more information please contact the Lakefield Municipal Office at (705) 292-9507.

Long Lake Canoe Loop

Location: Start at the end of Long Lake Road off Hwy 28 north of Woodview.

Length: 2-3 days.

Description: The route includes a number of relatively small lakes on the west side of the Kawartha Highlands area. The circle route includes 9 portages and visits Long Lake, Loucks, Compass, Stoplog, Turtle, Sherry, Triangle and Cox Lakes.

Mark S. Burnham Provincial Park

Location: From Peterborough, east on Hwy 7, 0.5km east of Television Road.

Length: 2.5 km

Description: The nature trail provides visitors with an opportunity to enjoy the natural features common to the Peterborough area. Characterized by forested drumlin uplands and adjacent wetlands, the area is home to many birds and animals, especially migratory warblers. Originally settled by Zacheus Burnham in 1797, the land was passed down through the family for three generations before it was donated to the province in 1955 by Mary Erskine Burnham, wife of Mark S. Burnham.

For more information contact Ontario Parks website .

Millbrook Valley Trail

Location: Behind the arena in Millbrook.

Length: 1.5 km

Description: This loop passes through mainly flat terrain next to Needler's Mill Pond. It is currently being extended to join other local trails.

This trail is managed by Cavan Millbrook North Monaghan Township. For more information please call (705) 932-2929.

Miller Creek Wildlife Area

Location: From Peterborough take County Road 18 (Chemong Road) to Bridgenorth. Turn right at East Communications Road. The road bends and becomes the 7th line of Smith. The wildlife entrance is on the south side of the road 3km from County Road 18.

Length: 1 km

Description: A large map is located at the entrance of this trail. A path to the right of the map leads through an open meadow of tall grass and wildflowers to an observation platform. This platform provides a fantastic view over the wetland abundant with plant and wildlife. Various side trails take you through wooded areas and along the edge of the wetland.

For more information contact Otonabee Conservation at (705) 745-5791.

Petroglyphs Provincial Park

Location: From Peterborough, take County Road 29 (formerly Hwy 28), 55km northeast to Northey's Bay Road. Travel east 11km. The park entrance is on the north side of the road.

Length: Nanabush Trail - 5.5km;

Marsh Trail - 7km;

West Day Use Trail - 5km;

High Falls Trail - 16km.

Description: The Petroglyphs contain one of the largest concentrations of Native rock carvings in Canada. The four trails in the park lead you through forests, wetlands and rocky ridges. The Nanabush Trail explores numerous native legends. The Marsh Trail is quite hilly and moderately difficult. The West Day Use Trail is a narrow, easy going trail. The High Falls Trail, the longest and most difficult, leads visitors to High Falls.

For more information contact Ontario Parks website .

The Rotary Greenway Trail

Location: The south entrance to the trail is on the north side of Hunter Street east between Mark Street and Rogers Street.

Length: 7 km of paved trail (3m wide) with various unpaved side trails from Ashburnham Drive to Nassau Mills Road at Trent University and 8.5 km of Limestone Screenings from Trent University's Environmental Science Parking Lot to Lakefield.

Description: This former rail line was developed through the fundraising efforts of the Rotary Club of Peterborough. It provides a link from Trent University to the downtown corridor and beyond. The main trail journeys along the eastern bank of the Otonabee River, through a number of parks and ecosystems which are home to a variety of wildlife. Interpretive signs describe the ecology, flora, fauna and history of the area. A new section entitled The Rotary Greenway: Scenic River Road Trail was officially opened on July 5 2000, spanning the distance from Trent University to Lakefield. For more information about this new trail see the following brochure . For selected newspaper clippings on the Rotary Greenway Trail, click here .

Selwyn Conservation Area

Location: From Peterborough take County Road 18 (Chemong Road) to County Road 20 to Selwyn. Left on County Road 12 to 12th Line of Smith. Sign is on the right hand side of the road.

Length: 3.5km.

Description: The Selwyn Conservation Area is located along the northeast shore of Chemong Lake. The nature trail runs through the northern portion of the Conservation Area and takes visitors through wetlands, woodlands and open fields, an excellent opportunity to view a variety of plants and wildlife in their natural environment. The Selwyn Conservation Area is for day use with swimming, picnicking and boat launching and docking facilities.

For more information contact Otonabee Conservation at (705) 745-5791.

Serpentine Lake Canoe Route

Location: Access is via the public landing towards the east end of Anstruther Lake Road off Hwy 28 just south of Apsley.

Length: 2-3 days and 7 portages.

Description: It starts near the east end of Anstruther Lake and heads north into Rathburn, North Rathburn, Serpentine and Copper Lakes.

Silent Lake Provincial Park

Location: The south side of Hwy 28, just 24 km south of Bancroft.

Length: Bonnie's Pond Trail-3 km;
           Lakehead Loop Trail-1.5 km;
               Lakeshore Trail-15 km;
               Mountain Bike Trails-6, 12 and 19 km;
               Green Cross-country ski trail-2.5 km;
               Red Cross-country ski trail-6 km;
               Yellow Cross-country ski trail-13 km;
               Blue Cross-country ski trail-19 km.

Description: Bonnie's Pond Trail travels through undulating Beech and Hemlock Forests and is accessible from the Princer Bay parking lot. The Lakehead Loop Trail leads through forests of Hemlock, Sugar Maple and Red Oak and is accessible from the day-use area of Granite Ridge Campground. The Lakeshore Trail provides a rugged hike to beautiful lookouts and colourful rock cuts as it skirts the shores of Silent and Quiet Lakes. The Mountain Bike Trail travels through moderately to very challenging rugged terrain on its way around Silent Lake. Accessible from day-use area or Bonnie's Pond parking area. There is also an 8 km ski-skating loop. Trail maps are available.

The park is managed by Ontario Parks. For more information visit their website .

Warsaw Caves Conservation Area

Location: From Peterborough on County Road 4, just past Warsaw turn east on Caves Road.

Length: 13 km

Description: This trail features a scenic lookout and seven caves to explore. Of particular interest is the Kettle/Lookout Trail along which you can hear Indian River as it flows underground for 400m. The path is very rocky and has many potholes or 'rockmills'. The trail will lead you across a footbridge, which passes over the river. After heading back into the forest, the trail leads to the geological formations known as the "four kettles". Follow the trail east from the kettles and you will reach Lookout Point and a spectacular view of the Indian River Valley.

For more information contact Otonabee Conservation at (705) 745-5791.

Acknowledgements

This trail guide is provided by the Trent-Fleming Trail Studies Unit. The text descriptions of the trails are based on a document developed by Dave Clark and a brochure developed by Kawartha Lakes Tourism.

This guide has been developed with the involvement of many individuals and groups. For their support we would like to thank:

Professor John Marsh, Kathy Reid, Dorothy Macdonald, Connie Copps, Mike MacLean, Peterborough ParticipACTION, The City of Peterborough, Otonabee Conservation, Ontario Parks

Special thanks to Christina Vogel and Kerri Tojcic for their tremendous work in preparing this guide.

Back to the Trent University Trail Studies Unit home page

Last updated by Sarah Gauntlett, February 4, 2007.

A GUIDE TO TRAILS IN

PETERBOROUGH COUNTY