The weather is warming, the snow is melting (later than usual this year), the trees are still waking from their long winter slumber, and the small but mighty human nemesis – the black fly – has not yet emerged. All of these things make April one of the best times to check out local trails. You’ll see a different landscape than you’ll experience in the summer or fall, with some increased opportunities for spotting wildlife that might otherwise be hidden by foliage. Break out your waterproof footwear, though. Shady spots might still be mucky or snow-covered.
You might already have some favourite hikes in Muskoka. If these ones aren’t among them, I highly recommend checking them out.
In recent years, word has been getting out about the Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve. It’s a privately owned, 10,000-acre forest that has maintained trails open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the year. There are 10 main trails with a combined length of more than 70 kilometres. Among the highlights of this hidden gem are scenic lookouts, a quartz deposit, a bird sanctuary, lakeside boardwalks, charming rest cabins, and a trail dotted with wildlife statues. Be sure to check out the resident goats, too. Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve is located 22 kilometres east of Huntsville off Limberlost Road. The trails are free to use – you just have to sign in when you arrive.
Also of note in North Muskoka are Hunters Bay Trail with its new floating boardwalk and Lions Lookout, both in Huntsville; and the Echo Valley Nature and Bike Trails and the Oxtongue Rapids Hiking Trail near Dwight. There are beautiful trails in Arrowhead Park, too, which re-open for the summer on May 11, but a park permit is required.
The Bracebridge Resource Management Centre Trails are easily accessible off Highway 11. A favourite with hikers and mountain bikers alike (and cross-country skiers and snowshoers in the winter), the BRMC trails offer 19 kilometres of woodland to explore along with some vistas of the Muskoka River. The trails are well groomed and there are options for all abilities.
Other trails to check out in South Muskoka are Wilson’s Falls in the heart of Bracebridge; Peninsula Trail beside the wharf in Gravenhurst; and the Torrance Barrens Trail near Bala, which is also a dark-sky preserve – a wonderful place for star-gazing.
For details on these trails and more, the Muskoka Trails Council is a great resource. You’ll find them at muskokatrailscouncil.com.