Georgian Bay North Shore

Where the Hard Hiking Lives

The North Shore is where Georgian Bay stops being gentle. Billion-year-old quartzite ridges, exposed pink granite, sparse soil, wind-bent pines. The trails here demand more than most Ontario hiking: good footwear, real fitness, thorough preparation, and an understanding that "moderate" on a North Shore trail description often means something quite different than "moderate" near Collingwood.

Killarney Provincial Park anchors this region and contains the most celebrated (and most demanding) trails in the Georgian Bay network. The Crack is Killarney's signature day hike and its most difficult trail. The La Cloche Silhouette is routinely called the toughest backpacking route in Ontario. Even Granite Ridge, at just 2 km, involves genuine scrambling. If you are coming from the South Georgian Bay escarpment trails and expecting something similar, recalibrate your expectations. The rock here is different, the terrain is different, and the consequences of poor preparation are more serious.

The Crack, Killarney

Challenging 6 km out-and-back | 4-6 hours | Significant scrambling | Not suitable for children under 7

This is Killarney's most popular and most difficult trail. Do not be fooled by the leisurely start — the gentle slope and mixed forest quickly give way to rocky scrambles and steep inclines that often take all four limbs. The trail is marked with red signs: red markers on trees in wooded areas, red posts on open rock. If you see only blue markers with no red, stop and turn around. You have wandered onto the La Cloche Silhouette Trail, which is 78 km long.

The Crack itself is a narrow fissure in the quartzite ridge that you hike up through. The views from the top are genuinely extraordinary — clear lakes in every direction, the white La Cloche ridges on the horizon. But earning those views involves sustained scrambling over bare rock that is extremely slippery when wet. Bring minimum 2 litres of water per person, snacks, sturdy hiking boots (not trail shoes), insect repellent, and a first aid kit. Do not rely on your phone for navigation — there is no cell coverage.

The trailhead parking lot is 7 km east of the permit office at George Lake. On summer weekends and holiday Mondays, it fills by 9 am. A daily vehicle permit ($18, can be pre-booked up to 5 days ahead) is required. If the lot is full, you cannot park on the road — come back another day or try very early morning.

Granite Ridge Trail, Killarney

Moderate 2 km loop | 1-2 hours | Rocky scramble | 100 m elevation gain

Do not let the 2 km distance fool you. Granite Ridge involves real scrambling over exposed pink granite that is genuinely difficult when wet. The trail climbs steeply through mixed forest then breaks onto bare rock ridges with 360-degree views across Killarney's lake-studded interior. On clear days you can see Manitoulin Island. This is the best short option in Killarney if you want big views without the full-day commitment of The Crack, but you still need proper hiking boots and dry conditions. The rock is polished smooth by glaciers and becomes a skating rink in rain.

La Cloche Silhouette Trail, Killarney

Challenging 78 km loop | 7-10 days | 300+ m cumulative elevation | Backcountry experience required

This is Ontario's toughest backpacking route. Every experienced source recommends 7-10 days; anything under 5 days is considered high-risk (and you pay for your own rescue in Killarney). The trail circuits the La Cloche Mountain range through white quartzite ridges, past crystal-clear lakes, and over terrain that demands careful footing on nearly every step. There are creek crossings, dam crossings, huge rocks to scramble over, and several treacherous descents.

Most hikers go clockwise, which makes the waterfall section easier to ascend and puts The Crack descent at the end of the trip rather than forcing you to ascend it with a full pack on day one. Buy a Jeff's Map or Friends of Killarney map ahead of time to see all campsite locations and plan your daily distances. Backcountry camping permits must be reserved through Ontario Parks and popular sites (especially lakeside) sell out months ahead for July and August. Water is available from lakes but must be filtered or treated.

Cranberry Bog Trail, Killarney

Easy 4 km loop | 1-1.5 hours | Boardwalk and packed earth | Flat

The one easy trail in Killarney, and genuinely worth doing. The boardwalk loop passes through a boreal bog with interpretive panels about carnivorous sundew plants, sphagnum moss, and peat formation. Kids are fascinated by the carnivorous plants. The cranberry bushes turn brilliant red in late September, making it one of the park's most photogenic walks. Packed earth sections can be muddy in spring, but the boardwalk portions are always passable. This is the only Killarney trail suitable for families with young children.

French River Provincial Park

The French River trails are shorter and more accessible than Killarney's offerings. The Recollet Falls Trail (1.5 km return) leads to a viewing platform above where the river drops through a narrow gorge — it is at its most impressive during spring snowmelt in April and May. The French River Heritage Trail (3 km one-way) follows the riverbank through mixed forest with interpretive signs about the fur trade. Both are accessible from the visitor centre area on Highway 69, about 3.5 hours from Toronto. You can stretch your legs here on the drive to or from Killarney without committing to a full park visit.

Grundy Lake Provincial Park

Easy to Moderate Various trails 2-3 km | Directly on Highway 69

Grundy Lake is the most accessible park on the North Shore, sitting right on Highway 69 between Sudbury and Parry Sound. The Gut Lake Trail (2.5 km) follows the shoreline through jack pine and blueberry-covered granite — some rock scrambling involved. The Swan Lake Trail (3 km loop) is gentler and good for birdwatching, especially warblers in spring migration. These make good stops on the drive north, and the park is much less crowded than Killarney. Daily vehicle permit required.

Point Grondine Park

Challenging 100+ km of backcountry trails | Multi-day | Self-sufficient hikers only

Jointly managed by Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory and Ontario Parks, Point Grondine is far less developed than Killarney with fewer maintained facilities. The Mahzenazing Trail is the primary multi-day loop through boreal forest, along lake shores, and over ridges with views to Manitoulin Island. This is for experienced backcountry hikers comfortable with navigation in areas where the trail may not be obvious. Trailhead is off Highway 637, about 30 km south of Sudbury.