Backpacking in Ontario/Québec
Urban hikes and backcountry routes
Backpacking trips in Ontario range from urban hikes to isolated backcountry trails. Home to the famous Bruce Trail, there are also a variety of guided and group tours available all over the province.
Ontario's Ferguson Trail Network offers over 37 miles (60 km) of trails around Lake Temagami, with campsites and lodges throughout. The Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail runs along the north shore of Lake Ontario for 155 miles (250 km), passing through urban centers and natural settings, with campsites located in Provincial Parks along the way. Backpacking the Bruce Trail is done through the Hockley Valley Provincial Park, Hope Bay Forest Provincial, Noisy River Provincial Park and Smokey Head-White Bluff Provincial Park. Campsites are abundant here.
Ontario's famous and beautiful Algonquin Provincial Park is a backpackers' dream. The Western Uplands Backpacking Trail here offers serious hiking. There are over 62 miles (100 km) of trails, consisting of 19, 34, and 44 mile (32, 55 and 71 km) loops, with backcountry campsites along the routes.
Backpacking northeast of Manitoulin Island you'll find Killarney Provincial Park which offers the 62-mile (100 -km) Cloche Silhouette Trail. Hiking ranges from easy to difficult and takes 7 to 10 days to complete. There are numerous backcountry campsites along the trail. Pukaskwa National Park offers 37 miles (60 km) of coastal hiking with backcountry and campsites near beaches and bays. It is a tough trek and requires proper gear and fitness, and the area is home to a considerable number of black bears.
Lake Superior Provincial Park provides rugged hiking near the shores of Lake Superior. One of the best hikes in Ontario, this 34 mile (55 -km) route challenges backpackers with high winds, heavy fogs and rain. A similar trail exists in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. The Kabeyun Trial follows Lake Superior with a backpacking trail system offering routes from one to five days long. The cliffs here are the highest in Ontario.
Québec is a prime destination for backpacking. Québec has thousands of miles of mountain and shore side routes. In the Gaspe region, Forillon National Park offers mountainous backcountry hiking on the Les Crêtes trail and the incredible International Appalachian Trail nearby. Wilderness adventures for experienced backpackers can be found in Gaspesie Provincial Park . This area is spectacular with huge mountains and stunning peak views. There are a number of spurs and loops over 49 miles (80 km) of trails, and the park boasts arctic vegetation and a herd of caribou.
Grand Jardins Provincial Park near Québec City has a 31 mile (50 km) looped trail system in the Chateau-Beaumont area, while nearby Jacques-Cartier Provincial Park is a true hiking gem with 16 trails running over 62 miles (100 km). On the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, La Mauricie National Park has a variety of shorter trails and loops for backpacking, including the 46 mile (75 km) Laurentian Trail.
Québec's Eastern Townships offers Les Sentiers de l'Estrie which is a great backpacking trail. It is easily accessible but not well known. Isolated in sections, it can be difficult due to the number of mountains en route. Also in the area, Mont Megantic Park offers over 31 miles (50 km) of mountain trails with rustic camping sites.
Backpacking in the Laurentians is stunning. Mont Tremblant Provincial Park, with 45 miles (74 km) of trails with varying difficulty. The 124 mile (200 km) P'tit Train du Nord Trail winds through the Laurentian Mountains north of Montréal and is less crowded than Mont Tremblant.
