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Map of Ontario Hike, Bike & Canoe including Canada

Hit the highlights of southern Ontario, from the backcountry to the Bruce

From the shores of Sandbanks Provincial Park to the cliffs of the Bruce Peninsula, this 7-day active adventure across southern Ontario shows off some of the best experiences the province has to offer. You’ll scramble up sand dunes, dip your toes into the crystal-clear waters of Georgian Bay, sip local wines and ciders in Prince Edward County, and sleep under the stars in the backcountry of Algonquin Provincial Park. Be prepared to hike, bike, and paddle your way through spectacular scenery and preserved wilderness, all within easy driving distance of Toronto.

Start
Toronto, Canada
Finish
Toronto, Canada
Destination
Canada
Style
Original
Theme
Active Adventures
Code
SSXO
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 4, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Hike the famous giant sand dunes of Sandbanks Provincial Park, home to one of the best white sand beaches in Ontario.

  • Indulge with tasting stops at wineries, cideries and microbreweries on a bike ride through the picturesque farmland of Prince Edward County.

  • Set off in a canoe and navigate the remote wilderness of Algonquin Provincial Park, with an expert leader to guide you through the portages.

  • Experience the ultimate escape into nature and sleep under the stars, with 2 days and nights of backcountry camping.

  • Explore the jagged cliffs, ancient forests, rocky beaches and pristine waters of Georgian Bay on the Bruce Peninsula and Niagara Escarpment.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is an action-packed itinerary, and a moderate level of fitness will help you get the most out of all included activities. You must be confident in the water for canoeing and swimming. All equipment and safety gear is provided. Whilst previous experience in hiking and kayaking or rafting isn’t essential, your ability to cycle is. Sturdy footwear is recommended for the hikes

  • Equipment hire is included in your trip price, bikes, helmets, and all water sport gear. Bike helmets are compulsory to wear during all rides.

  • Please advise your height at time of booking so we can organise a suitable sized bike.

  • During our days camping be prepared to roll up your sleeves and help out with camp activities like food prep and washing up. It’s all about giving your new travel companions a hand, and everyone knows there’s nothing worse than trying to put up a tent on your own!

  • Just as a heads up before you book: this trip is new to our range this year. And while we have thoroughly researched every detail of the logistics, new destinations can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a great surprise. But every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.

Dunes Beach, Sandbanks Provincial Park, Prince Edward County, Ontario
Vineyard Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada
Girl canoeing on beautiful lake in Algonquin Provincial Park
Moose eating at Lake in Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada
Foggy morning canoe ride on pristine lake, Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
Beautiful landscape in Tobermory, Ontario, Canada

Itinerary
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Meet your group bright and early with a 9am start at the hotel in Toronto, before departing on your 3-hour drive to Sandbanks Provincial Park in Prince Edward County. Sandbanks is considered one of the best sand beaches in Ontario and is also home to the world’s largest baymouth barrier dune formation. You’ll explore it all as you tackle the Dunes Trail, which loops through a unique and fragile dune habitat and rare wetlands on the shores of Lake Ontario. Discover a world of giant sand dunes and white, sandy beaches dotted with plants such as cornflower and milkweed. Afterwards, transfer by private vehicle to nearby Belleville (approximately 35 minutes), where you’re free to unwind at your hotel, or head out and explore town.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sandbanks Provincial Park - Hike
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Today’s walking distance is a 2.5-km (1.5-mile) loop that is considered easy to moderate.

Saddle up for a bike ride along the Millennium Trail, a 46-km route that weaves past farmers’ fields and vineyards and is the perfect way to experience the tranquility of The County. We won't do the entire trail!
Be sure to bring some spending money, as your ride will include several stops for tastings at local wineries, microbreweries and cideries – such as a small-batch beer in the Gillingham Brewery beer garden, a glass of wild yeast fermented wine at Trail Estate Winery, and a dry, traditional cider at the award-winning Loch Mor. Your leader may have some other personal favourites to recommend. And don’t forget your bathing suit, so you can swim in the waves at the popular Wellington Beach.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Prince Edward County - Bike Ride
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

It’s an early morning start today around 7am, as you drive to Algonquin Provincial Park (approximately 4.5 hours), for an adventure in backcountry camping. For 2 days and 2 nights, unwind in this area of rocky ridges and lakes, where the canoe is the only means of transport, and your only neighbours will be the native wildlife of moose, deer, beavers and wolves. Your trip starts on Canoe Lake, an important access point into the park. After crossing the channel between the Gilmour, Wapomeo and Cook islands, you’ll reach your first portage, into Joe Lake (295 m). From Joe Lake, you’ll paddle north and then east. Depending on water level you’ll have the option of portaging or following a shallow creek around the portage route towards Baby Joe Lake. After a short paddle on the glass-like waters of Baby Joe Lake, you’ll arrive at the last portage, into Burnt Island Lake (200 m). This is where you’ll set up camp. Don’t worry if you’ve never wilderness camped before – your leader will teach all you need to know about responsible backcountry camping.
Accommodation
  • Camping (no facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Algonquin Provincial Park - Canoeing
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
For 2 nights, you will be camping in a remote area with no facilities. Your leader will set up a space for the toilet and will teach you about leaving no trace in a responsible way. All meals will be cooked over a firepit. We use 3-person tents, with 2 people per tent. Sleeping bags will be available for rent, or you can bring your own. Note that you will need to bring your own pillow and towels (which can be purchased on route)

Wake up to nature in your backcountry campsite and enjoy the tranquillity of Ontario’s oldest provincial park. In your empty canoe, paddle out to the massive Burnt Island Lake, considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Algonquin. For lunch, head back to your campsite, then tear down and pack up for your next camping experience. Paddle back to Joe Lake and set up for your second night in backcountry.
Accommodation
  • Camping (no facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Algonquin Provincial Park - Canoeing
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Today you’ll paddle out from the backcountry and hop back in the vehicle for a drive along Georgian Bay. This 5.5-hour drive will take you to the charming harbour town of Tobermory, at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula. The peninsula is a natural wonder, with the famous Niagara Escarpment – a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve – as its backbone. Hiking trails wind through the cedar forests and along its rocky shores, including part of the 782-km Bruce Trail, Canada’s oldest and longest footpath. One of the largest protected areas in southern Ontario, this is the place to explore jagged cliffs, waterfalls, thousand-year-old pine trees and sea stacks shaped like flowerpots. Marvel at the turquoise waters of Georgian Bay that are so crystal-clear they look more like a tropical sea than a Canadian waterway (although admittedly not quite as warm!). Upon arrival your afternoon is free to explore Tobermory at your leisure.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bruce Peninsula National Park
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Today, head out on a hike to explore the gorgeous Georgian Bay Marr Lake Trail. This trail is the quickest path to the park’s scenic cliffs and shoreline, where it meets up with the Bruce Trail. At Halfway Rock Point, take in the excellent vista, with Flowerpot and Bear's Rump islands on the horizon – part of the Fathom Five National Marine Park. From here, the trail enters Indian Head Cove, favoured by both swimmers and SCUBA divers for its crystal-clear waters. West of the cove are two sea caves, the Natural Arch, and further along, the Grotto, both carved from the rock face by centuries of waves beating on the porous dolomite of the cliffs. You’ll return to Tobermory via Marr Lake’s cobble beach. You’ll need to put in some work for this portion, as the route is challenging, crossing over boulders along the shore between the Grotto and Marr Lake. Your afternoon is free to further explore the peninsula, with the option to head out in a kayak on those oh-so-blue waters.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bruce Peninsula National Park - Hike
Optional Activities
  • Bruce Peninsula National Park - Kayaking - CAD50
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s walking distance is 3 km (2 miles) and will take approximately 3 hours.

Today you’ll have your last moments to enjoy the Bruce Peninsula before hitting the road and heading back to Toronto (approximately 4 hours). Your trip will end upon arrival in the early afternoon.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
No accommodation is booked this evening in Toronto, however we can arrange this for you at an additional cost. Please speak to your booking agent.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Private minivan

Accommodation

Hotel (4 nights), Camping (2 nights)

Included activities

  • Sandbanks Provincial Park - Hike
  • Prince Edward County - Bike Ride
  • Algonquin Provincial Park - Canoeing
  • Bruce Peninsula National Park
  • Bruce Peninsula National Park - Hike

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Ontario Hike, Bike & Canoe trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

Travellers on Intrepid trips are required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. Read details here.

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 9AM on Day 1. Please make your own way to the Joining Point Hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary.
2. You are expected to arrive back in Toronto on the last day around 5pm at the same location as the joining point.There is no accommodation included on the last day in Toronto.
3. If you wish to spend more time in the city we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). Speak to an Intrepid booking agent for more information.
4. A single supplement is available if you'd prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability (excluding the camping nights) Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
5. You are required to bring a towel, sleeping bag and a pillow on this trip. Sleeping bags can be hired.
6. We will require your height at the time of booking to ensure we reserve you the right size bike.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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