Snowshoeing in the Haliburton Highlands

Haliburton Snowshoeing

• Winter season is for snowballs, snow forts, toboggan and sledding runs, cross country and downhill skiing, skating, hockey, dogsledding and enjoying the snowshoe trails


• Snowshoeing has been around for thousands of years, one of the earliest forms of transportation


• Winter sport anyone can do - If you can walk you can do it


• One of the fastest growing winter sports in the world


• The sport is easy to learn, inexpensive, little risk of injury and is a great way to exercise in the winter months


• Many of our resort guests put on the snowshoes and hike the lake, very relaxing on a nice sunny day

Below is a list of places in the Haliburton Highlands for snowshoeing close to the resort

1. The Frost Centre is mainly for Hiking and Cross Country Skiing but right across the road you can snowshoe.
   Directions: Highway #35 10 km north of Halls Lake between Minden and Dorset
   Parking lot on east side.
   


2. Algonquin Highlands Ridge Trail - 5km or 8km - challenging - 5:00 to 8:00 hours
   The true start of this trail is about halfway around the James Cooper Lookout Trail. You can also access it from the Alven Ferguson Trail. It has many climbs and steep descents over rough ground. The trail wanders over several small cliffs and has a few beaver ponds. The trail joins the Circuit of Five Viewpoints Trail and shares the final 2.5 km to Little Hawk Lake.
   Cautions: For an end-to-end transit of this 8km hiking trail, a car shuttle is needed
   Directions: Take North Shore Road (just 5 km north of Carnarvon on Highway 35) to the Algonquin Highlands Township Office.
   Parking is available at the Township Office and the trailhead is just another 500m further down the road.
   


3. Alven Ferguson Trail - 3km - moderate to challenging - 3:00 hours
   This short uphill trail travels through mixed forest, hills, berry bushes and wetlands. It provides access to the Algonquin Highlands Ridge Trail.
   Directions: Take North Shore Road (just 5 km north of Carnarvon off Highway 35) to McPhail Rd. and follow the road to its end.
   Parking area and the trailhead kiosk are located just outside the gates of the landfill.
   


4. Circuit of 5 Viewpoints - 5km - moderate to challenging - 5:00 hours
   Hikers ascend a gentle rise along the stony backbone of a classic Canadian Shield oak ridge. Each viewpoint is situated on a different dramatic cliff that overlooks rugged valleys, placid rivers, marsh meadows or scenic distant lakes.
   Directions: At Halls Lake, take Little Hawk Lake Road (also called County Road 13) and continue on, cross the one-lane bridge, to the end of the road.
   Parking and the trailhead kiosk are found on the left.
   


5. Crest of Kennisis - 5 km - moderate - 2.5 to 3 hours
   The Crests of Kennisis is the newest addition to the Algonquin Highlands trail system. This trail continues along the same rocky ridge of land as the now famous Algonquin Highlands Ridge Trail and Circuit of 5 Viewpoints so count on more of those spectacular panoramic lookouts. Begin by crossing the Hawk Lake Dam and climbing atop the river gorge where you can take in the sights and sounds of the Kennisis River. The trail winds its way through towering forests providing stunning cliff-top views along the way. The trail ends at the Circuit of 5 Viewpoints – simply follow the trail signs to Viewpoint 5 to exit at the Little Hawk Lake parking area. The Crests of Kennisis begins between Viewpoints 4 & 5 – be sure to watch for the trail junction signage. This trail can be combined with the Circuit of 5 Viewpoints and Ridge Trail for a challenging backcountry trek – 15 km in total. Cautions: A car shuttle is required for pick-up at the end of the trail.
   Directions: At Halls Lake, take Little Hawk Lake Rd (County Rd 13) and proceed to Big Hawk Lake Rd.
   If starting the trail from the Hawk Lake Dam, turn left onto Big Hawk Lake Rd and continue to the Historic Log Chute – parking is available alongside the road or at a small parking lot adjacent the Log Chute Park.
   If starting the trail from the Circuit of 5 Viewpoints, continue on Little Hawk Lake Rd, across the one-lane bridge, to the end of the road. Parking and the trailhead kiosk are found on the left.
   


6. Harrison Woods Hiking Trail - 1.25km - moderate - 1.30 hours
   The trail passes through a plantation of red and scotch pines before carrying on into a beautiful hardwood forest.
   Directions: This hike is accessible from downtown Carnarvon, just meters west of Highway 118 and Highway 35 intersection.
   Parking is available alongside Highway 118 just past the Jug City Convince Store. Access the trail be stepping down the embankment and following through to the Scots’ Pine Plantation.
   


7. Sir Sams Snowshoe Trail - Hike up picturesque trails that follow the ski runs to magnificent panoramic views over Eagle Lake and Moose Lake. This three kilometer trail will exhilarate and challenge the novice and expert snowshoe enthusiast alike!
   Snowshoeing Rates:
   Trail Day Pass: $10.00
   Season Pass: $69.95
   Snowshoe and Walking Pole Rental: $15.00 - Taxes are included in the price
   Sir Sam's Ski Area - Hours of Operation
   5 days per week Wednesday to Sunday
   Weekdays open 9:30am - 4:00pm
   Weekends & Holidays open 9:30am - 4:30pm
   Open every day of March Break, from March 7th to March 16th
   Website: Snowshoeing at Sir Sams

Interesting article on Haliburton Ontario is fast becoming the Snowshoeing Capital of Canada

Source of information - Haliburton Highlands Trails and Tours Network and local brochures

If you have snowshoed these trails and have some pictures please send them to us and we'll post them for all to see