A boardwalk trail is the perfect way to walk leisurely to places that are totally inaccessible. It also allows for very easy walks since they are mostly flat and well maintained. Usually situated above ponds, marshes or bogs, a boardwalk trail lets you feel completely immersed in a park, its environment and its own ecosystem. The majority of these parks are marshy and filled with tons of potential for wildlife spotting.
Get outside and enjoy the warm weather at one of these stunning trails:
Bannockburn Conservation Area
Location: Exeter, Ontario
This hidden gem of a park takes you through six different natural areas from marshes to old forest. Early morning hikers will be delighted to hear the birds chirping. The trail is considered ‘beginner’ but there are definitely areas that change in elevation, so be sure to keep that in mind.
Rattray Marsh Conservation Area
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Follow the Waterfront Trail for lots of views over Lake Ontario, as well as the boggy area surrounding it. Parking is available at Jack Darling Memorial Park, where you can take excellent panoramic shots of the CN Tower and Toronto.
Crawford Lake Conservation Area
Location: Milton, Ontario
Visit during any season and follow the lakeside trail. It will lead you to the windy boardwalk across forest and meadows. You will find a lot of lookout points during your hike which are all perfect spots to take pictures over the meromictic lake.
Sifton Bog
Location: London, Ontario
This short and easy boardwalk trail is a hidden gem with a 0.8 km trail where you will walk through wildflowers. It is the perfect place to bring your dog on a walk. Make sure to check out all the side trails, which are worth exploring.
Algonquin Provincial Park
Location: Algonquin, Ontario
Take the 1.4 km Spruce Bog Boardwalk and follow the loop trail with views of the boggy sections along the way. The boardwalk is handicap and stroller accessible, which makes it a great park for absolutely everyone. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a moose!
Point Pelee National Park
Location: Leamington, Ontario
Point Pelee Marsh Boardwalk is a 1.1 km trail that takes you through Ramsar Wetland. Along the way, there are lots of lookout points (and a viewing tower) that give you an expansive view of the park. There is lots of wildlife here, so look for frogs, turtles, and birds across the park. Plan a full day to properly explore the park in its entirety as there is a lot more to observe.
Mer Bleue Bog
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
One of the Greenbelt’s most outstanding features, Mer Bleue Bog is the largest bog in Canada’s Capital Region. Walk the 1.2 km trail on the floating boardwalk and enjoy the soothing surroundings sounds of nature. The park is also home to the endangered spotted turtle, along with a lot of other rare birds and plants.
Wye Marsh Conservation Area
Location: Tay, Ontario
Situated on the south shores of Georgian Bay, this conservation area is truly a hidden gem. The big floating boardwalk has a few elevated points where you can see the marshes. Pass by huge waterlilies and check out wildlife like turtles, frogs and a variety of birds. Make sure to climb the lookout tower to get an amazing view of the entire park.
The White Water Walk
Location: Niagara Falls, Ontario
The iconic White Water Boardwalk trail should take about an hour and will take you along Niagara River’s white-water rapids. Take in the beauty of the gorge and the power of the water splashing below you from the viewing platform.
Presqu’ile Provincial Park
Location: Brighton, Ontario
Follow the 1.2 km loop trail on the floating wooden boardwalk to explore areas that usually wouldn’t be possible to visit. Check out the two viewing towers and enjoy the stunning landscape. There is also a ton of other experiences awaiting you in this park, so plan for a full day out!
Valen’s Lake Conservation Area
Location: Hamilton, Ontario
Only an hour’s drive, this beautiful park features a 300-metre wetland boardwalk and an observation deck that will give you views of the whole area.
Grundy Lake Provincial Park
Location: Parry Sound District, Ontario
Take Swan Lake Trail which winds through a protected nature reserve inside the park. The 1.5km boardwalk trail allows you to spot lots of wildlife, like turtles and birds.
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
Hi,
You list a Valen’s Lake CA near Brighton in the article above. Is that correct ? I’d love to review it myself, but when I looked it up, I can only find one near Hamilton, which is a bit out of our range at this time, unfortunately.
Thanks
Wow – you are correct. I messed that one up!