Spring in Ontario can get muddy, making it more challenging to take walks, but there are still lots of places to take a hike and embrace some of the moodier days. Make sure you have a pair of boots that you can clean easily or you don’t care much about. By end of April, the parks are starting to bloom and the sunshine comes out. I wanted to share with you some of my favourite spots to go to during the springtime.
Limehouse Conservation Area
Location: Halton Hills, Ontario
Located in the Greenbelt, Limehouse Conservation Area has similarities to other parks in the area but offers lots more. This is the perfect park for nature seeks and only takes about 2.5 hours to finish all the trails. Check out the extremely interesting rock formations, where you’ll discover caverns and caves still coated with snow.
Simcoe County Forest
Location: Simcoe, Ontario
Walk along the Midhurst Trail for about 8.5 km, with tons of trails to choose from. You will walk through picturesque paths, between thick forests, and across wood planks.
Valen’s Conservation Area
Location: Flamborough, Ontario
This park has winding boardwalks that will lead you through marshes and open up to expansive views over the lake. Filled with 10km worth of unique trails that will make you feel like you’ve driven further up north.
Rockway Conservation Area
Location: St. Catherines, Ontario
Located along Fifteen Mile Creek, this is one of my favourite parks in the area. Climb tall boulders and over large rocks to reach two stunning waterfalls. This hike is definitely a bit more difficult than most of the others, but you will be treated with incredible views (I promise!).
Edward Gardens
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Take a calm walk past streams and over bridges. Check out all the varieties of flowers starting to bloom.
Herber Down Conservation Area
Location: Whitby, Ontario
This natural wonder offers a variety of beautiful and versatile trails that are perfect for spring. Follow the Devil’s Den Nature Trail for 2.5km, where you will cross a couple of bridges and eventually reach a huge pond. There are lots of spots that are perfect to sit back and have a picnic (if the weather is warm enough). It’s also a great spot for biking!
Greenwood Conservation Park
Location: Ajax, Ontario
Spend the day exploring one of Ajax’s best parks with its 100km trail system. The area is surrounded by spectacular natural settings like Duffin’s Creek, Miller’s Creek, as well as Lake Ontario. If you’re feeling adventurous, climb down via rope to the lower section, where you will be rewarded with a pretty creek.
Humber Arboretum
Location: Etobicoke, Ontario
This lovely park, located on the west side of Toronto, has over 250 acres featuring botanical gardens and lots of natural areas to explore. It’s especially beautiful in the spring when all the flowers are starting to bloom.
Kerncliff Park
Location: Burlington, Ontario
This marshy park was previously a quarry featuring natural stone backdrops and it’s the ideal place for a spring stroll. Walk along the boardwalk and you’ll be able to spot lots of turtles, frogs and snakes in the water.
Secord Forest
Location: Goodwood, Ontario
Spend the day exploring this park in the York region. Take the Secord’s Pond and Oak Ridges Trail loop trail, which takes about an hour and a half to complete. You’ll walk past ponds and through a secluded forest. This is a volunteer-run area, so be sure to be extremely respectful and throw out any trash.
Cover Image via @polishthepaddle
I would also like to acknowledge that all these Ontario parks are located on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and are now the home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples.
Disclaimer: All information and prices are accurate as of the time of the posting. All opinions expressed are completely my own. This post is not sponsored.
*All images are copyrighted by Julia Melcher (@adventureontario) or credited to their owners. Please do not use or re-post without written consent and provide credit where applicable