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Family-Friendly Hikes in Ontario

We track 182 routes that match this search in Ontario. They average 2.5 km and 54 m (177 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 6.5 km.

That is 63 percent of the 289 routes we map in Ontario. They are shorter than the local average, 2.5 km against 16.6 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 54 m (177 ft) against 365 m (1,198 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Family routes here are short, gently graded and interesting enough to keep younger legs moving. Every one is under seven kilometres with limited climbing. Most of these are on the gentler end, which makes the list a good starting point if you are new to the area.

Trails

Easy

Manitou Lake Beach Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
6.1 km
/ 3.8 mi
Elevation gain
134 m
Typical duration
1 hr 28 min
  • Lake
  • Coastal
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Voyageur Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
2.0 km
/ 1.2 mi
Elevation gain
44 m
Typical duration
29 min
Easy

Lower Falls Side Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
1.5 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
33 m
Typical duration
22 min
  • Waterfall
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Arab Lake Gorge Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
1.2 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
27 m
Typical duration
18 min
  • Lake
  • Canyon and gorge
Easy

Mayflower Lake Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
1.2 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
27 m
Typical duration
18 min
  • Lake
Easy

Homesteader Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
2.9 km
/ 1.8 mi
Elevation gain
63 m
Typical duration
41 min
Easy

Laura Secord Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
1.1 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
25 m
Typical duration
16 min
Easy

Upper Grand Gorge Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
2.1 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
46 m
Typical duration
30 min
  • Canyon and gorge
Easy

Arteban Road Side Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
3.1 km
/ 1.9 mi
Elevation gain
69 m
Typical duration
45 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Louth Side Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
0.6 km
/ 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
13 m
Typical duration
9 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Newcastle Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
5.1 km
/ 3.2 mi
Elevation gain
113 m
Typical duration
1 hr 14 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

White Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
5.6 km
/ 3.5 mi
Elevation gain
123 m
Typical duration
1 hr 21 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Chickadee Loop Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
2.7 km
/ 1.7 mi
Elevation gain
60 m
Typical duration
39 min
  • Lake
Easy

Doe Lake Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
3.2 km
/ 2.0 mi
Elevation gain
70 m
Typical duration
46 min
  • Lake
Easy

Evergreen Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
2.1 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
46 m
Typical duration
30 min
  • Lake
Easy

Hemlock Lake Loop

Ontario · Canada

Distance
4.4 km
/ 2.7 mi
Elevation gain
97 m
Typical duration
1 hr 4 min
  • Lake
Easy

Kingfisher Loop Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
3.2 km
/ 2.0 mi
Elevation gain
71 m
Typical duration
47 min
  • Lake
Easy

Little Clear Lake Loop

Ontario · Canada

Distance
6.0 km
/ 3.7 mi
Elevation gain
132 m
Typical duration
1 hr 27 min
  • Lake
Easy

Mud Lake Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
2.4 km
/ 1.5 mi
Elevation gain
52 m
Typical duration
34 min
  • Lake
Easy

RT Mud Lake Blue Loop

Ontario · Canada

Distance
1.5 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
32 m
Typical duration
21 min
  • Lake
Easy

Pine Meadow Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
1.2 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
27 m
Typical duration
18 min
  • Alpine meadow
Easy

Bartlett Creek Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
1.1 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
25 m
Typical duration
17 min
  • River
Easy

Crawford Tract

Ontario · Canada

Distance
2.6 km
/ 1.6 mi
Elevation gain
58 m
Typical duration
38 min
  • River
Easy

Forty Mile Creek Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
2.9 km
/ 1.8 mi
Elevation gain
65 m
Typical duration
43 min
  • River
Easy

Hullet Marsh Blue Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
2.4 km
/ 1.5 mi
Elevation gain
52 m
Typical duration
34 min
  • Wildlife watching
Easy

Hullett Marsh Green Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
2.0 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
45 m
Typical duration
30 min
  • Wildlife watching
Easy

Hullett Marsh Red Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
1.9 km
/ 1.2 mi
Elevation gain
42 m
Typical duration
28 min
  • Wildlife watching
Easy

Hullett Marsh White Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
4.7 km
/ 2.9 mi
Elevation gain
103 m
Typical duration
1 hr 8 min
  • Wildlife watching
Easy

River Cardoner Trail

Ontario · Canada

Distance
1.6 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
36 m
Typical duration
24 min
  • River
Easy

River Gorge Trail System

Ontario · Canada

Distance
3.2 km
/ 2.0 mi
Elevation gain
71 m
Typical duration
47 min
  • River
  • Canyon and gorge
Easy

Walker Woods

Ontario · Canada

Distance
2.3 km
/ 1.4 mi
Elevation gain
50 m
Typical duration
33 min
  • Forest
Easy

Ranney Falls Loop

Ontario · Canada

Distance
0.8 km
/ 0.5 mi
Elevation gain
17 m
Typical duration
11 min
  • Waterfall

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Manitou Lake Beach TrailOntario6.1 km134 m1 hr 28 minEasyApril to October
Voyageur TrailOntario2.0 km44 m29 minEasyApril to October
Lower Falls Side TrailOntario1.5 km33 m22 minEasyApril to October
East Duchesnay Falls TrailOntario1.5 km32 m21 minEasyApril to October
Arab Lake Gorge TrailOntario1.2 km27 m18 minEasyApril to October
Mayflower Lake TrailOntario1.2 km27 m18 minEasyApril to October
West Duchesnay Falls TrailOntario2.0 km45 m30 minEasyApril to October
Arkell Springs Loop TrailOntario2.6 km57 m38 minEasyApril to October
Blue Springs Side TrailOntario1.6 km36 m24 minEasyApril to October
Homesteader TrailOntario2.9 km63 m41 minEasyApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with Manitou Lake Beach Trail, Voyageur Trail, Lower Falls Side Trail. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

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