Pukaskwa National Park of Canada

Orientation sessions must be completed by each backcountry visitor. An online pre-orientation may be completed . To reserve your trip, call 807-229-0801.
The Coastal Hiking Trail is Ontario’s premier wilderness hiking experience. These 60 kms of Lake Superior’s wild north shore will transform even the most seasoned backpacker.

Ontario Backpacking and Camping Trails
Parks Canada

Vehicles the main threat on Iron Horse Trail?

“How can we expect motorists to be mindful of a major path crossing if they cannot see it?” asks Druker.

As Geoffery Moull remounts his bicycle, he says that it’s not the trail itself that sometimes makes him worry for his safety, but rather the many places where his ride is interrupted by a street.

“I just wish I didn’t have to dismount at every road,” Moull says. “I think that’s where dangers are.”

So he diligently straps on his helmet and continues his ride, concerned more about accidental dangers than sinister ones.

Ontario Cycling Trails
Bike Smart

Evalyn Parry Goes Through the SPIN Cycle

Despite such innocent beginnings, it's hard to imagine another object that is currently as divisive as a bicycle. A bike helmet under one's arm is regarded as much of a political statement as a check on a ballot. It makes someone "eco-friendly" or "self-entitled," "health-conscious" or "shark bait," "progressive" or "a left-wing pinko," all depending, of course, on whether or not one actually regularly rides a bike. But in SPIN, Parry, a lifelong biker and unabashed pedal-pusher, broadens the breadth of roles a bicycle can play, in both a historical and personal sense, to a scope we never thought possible: to her, a bike is an agent of physical and social mobilization, a metaphor for shopping and commercialization, a confidante, a trusty steed, a memory bank. The Bicycle is a costar in her life, and a costar in the show, too.
About Ontario Cycling Trails
Ontario Cycling Trails

Event Volunteers Wanted, Sat May 28, Kortright Centre for Conservation, GTA, Ontario

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Position: Event Volunteers Wanted!
Organization: Toronto and Region Conservation http://www.ourgreenerside.ca
Location: Kortright Centre for Conservation, GTA/Woodbridge, Ontario

On Saturday, May 28th, 2011, Toronto and Region Conservation and York Region will be presenting the 3rd annual Our Greener Side Celebration at the Kortright Centre for Conservation in Woodbridge.

We need your help to make it a success! If you enjoy:
* Educating people on how to become eco-friendly, sustainable citizens
* Helping to make a difference to the environment
* Spending time outdoors giving back to the community

Ontario Trails
Conservation Ontario

Boy gets cornea, wants to thank donor's family

Five months ago 11-year-old Brandon Singh lost sight in his left eye after being hit by a tree branch. The Grade 6 Scarborough student was out walking in October when he turned his head to speak to his brother and a tree branch punctured his left eye, rupturing it. The branch stopped just millimetres from entering his brain.

Following four surgeries to save the eye, Singh got news on Valentine’s Day that a cornea had been donated. He got the transplant at Sick kids on Feb. 15. Singh has no clue who the donor family is, but he has written them a note of thanks.

Hike Smart - watch your surroundings!

Eddie's ready for 35th St. Paddy's walk

When Eddie Williams made his first St. Patrick's Day walk, Pierre Trudeau was prime minister of Canada, Henry Winkler ruled TV-land as Fonzie and teenager Wayne Gretzky played for the OMJHL's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

Much has changed since 1977, but one thing has remained consistent: Eddie has continued to do his annual walk.
Ontario Hiking and Walking Trails
Hike Ontario

Get Out There - Event Marketing Seminar

At a session on event marketing put on by Get Out There - the principles of marketing that apply to event marketing extend to all sorts of marketing initiatives: print, media, social media, resource allocation.

"This has benefits, but it takes resources and a longer term commitment. But its doable for your organization regardless of size and budget!"

To learn how this can apply to you come and hear Marissa Schroeder at Trailhead Ontario.
Get Out There
Ontario Trails

Ontario Trail News - March 16, 2011

Cycling Enthusiast Passes Away - "Coulier‚ a champion cyclist and creator of several well-known velodromes, died at 92 early Monday morning. "He was an inventor, an innovative man right into his 80s," remembered George Van Damme, a fellow Tillsonburg cyclist.

Coulier is responsible for crafting the World Championship and Montreal Olympic velodromes. The former competitive cyclist, however, stumbled into velodrome creation by chance." Our condolences to friends and family.
Article

Group wants to bring big cycling event to Belleville - "Craig Fagan, vice-president of events and sponsorships for Midweek Cycling Club, told city council his group wants to bring the Canadian Road Cycling Championships and Festival to the region next summer. The event, which would include charity rides, a community bike parade and community rides, would bring 700 to 800 cyclists to the region."
Article
Ontario On-Road Cycling Trails
Ontario Cycling Association


Ramsay Lake Building Near Completion - "Plans to build a Northern Water Sports Centre on the south shore of Ramsey Lake are nearing completion, including the all-important fundraising component, says project manager Dan Kaltiainen. Project partners include the Sudbury Canoe Club, Sudbury Rowing Club, Sudbury Dragon Boat Festival and the City of Greater Sudbury.

In 1999, the canoe and rowing clubs moved into anew, shared space on Elizabeth Street in Bell Park. While the modern building was welcome, not long after both clubs helped found the hugely popular Dragon Boat festival and the three organizations quickly outgrew the space."
Ontario Canoe Routes
Sudbury Area Trails


Get Out There Magazine - "Two new mtn biking festivals are coming to Ontario this summer. First up the low-key, grassroots Toronto MTB Fest on June 11th which will celebrate the famous Don Valley trails followed by the Mountain Bike Ontario Festival “Trail Blazing” at Kelso on July 16th aimed at growing the sport. Looking forward to checking both of these out." http://www.mtbonfestival.com/
Ontario Off-Road Trails
IMBA


Vaughan Mills, Ontario is offering a free Healthy Strides Walking Club from 7-10am daily. Any age is welcome and just for signing up you will receive a free gift. They call it a “Pampering gift” so I am guessing it is very nice. You can also log your laps to earn points to receive other wonderful prizes like water bottles, sweaters and even shoes!! How awesome is that?!?!
Ontario Trails
Hike Ontario


Canada’s Outdoor Equine Expo will run June 10 to 12, 2011 at the Iron Horse Equestrian Complex south of Milton, Ontario. The world class lineup of clinicians this year will include Wayne Roycroft, the recently retired coach of the Australian Equestrian Team, which has won eleven Olympic medals including Olympic golds in eventing in 1992, 1996, and 2000.

“Mr. Roycroft was the Australian coach for 22 years and has been the Chairman of the FEI World Eventing Committee,” said Lorie Jocius, President of Canada’s Outdoor Equine Expo. “We are extremely fortunate to be able to have someone with Mr. Roycroft’s credentials offering clinics here in Canada.”
Ontario Equestrian Trails
Ontario Equestrian Federation


Ontario Snowmobiling - "BSM Technologies Inc. ("BSM" or the "Company") (TSXV: GPS), a leading provider of remote monitoring, fleet management, fleet diagnostics and automated vehicle security systems, today announced that it has been awarded contracts with a combined value of approximately $1.2 million over three years with two major coordinating bodies for organized snowmobiling in Canada. BSM's Sentinel FM asset tracking solution will be installed on 810 trail grooming machines operated by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) and the Fédération des clubs de motoneigistes du Québec (FCMQ).

"The unique nature of snowmobile trail grooming makes it an obvious candidate to benefit from our asset monitoring solution," said Aly Rahemtulla, President and CEO of BSM. "For safety reasons, it is very important to know the location of operators, who typically work alone in rural areas where cellular communications may not be available. Our technology also provides the ability to optimize grooming practices for increased efficiency and enhanced quality as well as the ability to monitor which trails have been recently groomed."
Ontario Snowmobile Trails
Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs

Dog-Sledding in Ontario - video added to youtube


Eastern Ontario Farmers Urged to Conserve - "South Nation Conservation group wants farmers to resist the urge to cut trees for new farmland. Sun breaks through the clouds to illuminate farm fields in the Ottawa Valley. South Nation Conservation group wants farmers to resist the urge to cut trees for new farmland. South Nation Conservation is making the pitch at the 84th annual Ottawa Valley Farm Show at Lansdowne Park, after the group received $100,000 from the provincial government to help farmers assess and manage their forested parcels of land. The watershed that South Nation looks after runs from Plantagenet to Brockville and about 30 per cent of it is forested."
Trees Ontario
Eastern Ontario Trails


Kayaking "Kayaking is the easiest sport to learn. And the shallow depth of the Grand River makes it a great place for new Canadians to try it. Because the current is moving but gentle... beginners can safely learn kayaking without fear. The Grand River is located near Paris Ontario. In spite of being one hour from Toronto, the wilderness setting of the Grand River Valley is amazing. It is a paddle through a forest landscape with overlooking bluffs and an abundance of birds. The wildlife is there, but one must develop the scouting skill to see them.

These 3 hour kayak lessons start out on the land. Everyone is fitted with a life jacket, paddle and assigned to a boat. Before launching there is instruction on the different strokes, how to get in the kayak and simple ways to get out if the kayak tips."
Ontario Canoe and Kayak Trails
ORCKA

Morning Round Up

Walking Reduces Snoring: A Canadian sleep expert has claimed that getting out of your chair more often could help reduce snoring, the New York Post reported. Douglas Bradley, director of the Toronto Research Institute’s Sleep Research Laboratory, has linked excessive sitting to sleep apnea, a condition where a sleeping person’s throat collapses, stopping breathing and interrupting sleep.
Sleep Expert - walking can reduce snoring

Canoe Video shows trip to Ontario
Youtube Posting

OFAH Hosts Major Conference: Outdoor enthusiasts from across the province are gathering in Mississauga this week for the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters' (OFAH) 83rd Annual General Meeting and Fish & Wildlife Conference. This year, the conference is going interactive, with livestreaming and an email Question and Answer session. Back by popular demand, the conference is teaming up with the Toronto Sportsmen's Show (TSS), making it a terrific March break destination for the entire family.

The annual OFAH conference attracts hundreds of delegates, and runs from Thursday, March 17 through Saturday March 19 at the Delta Meadowvale Resort and Conference Centre in Mississauga. The main conference gets underway Thursday afternoon and the youth delegates arrive Friday morning. Speakers, awards and free admission to the TSS all day Saturday round out the OFAH event.
OFAH Conference Announcement

Eastern Ontario Conservation News: One of many highlights - South Nation Conservation will be hosting their 2011 Annual General Meeting Thursday, March 24th in the Watershed Room, 38 Victoria St., Finch, Ontario. 12:30 p.m. light lunch, 1:00 p.m. meeting. Guest Speaker will be Mr. Don Pearson, General Manager for Conservation Ontario. This meeting is open to all interested persons. R.S.V.P. before Thursday, March 17th, 2011 by phoning 1-877-984-29-48 or e-mail your R.S.V.P to info@nation.on.ca
Eastern Ontario Conservation News

Local Farmer Tree Hero: Amherst Island, just west of Kingston, claims to be the "Gem of Lake Ontario" renowned for its tranquility and peace, bird watching, bicycling, music concerts, crafts, and much more. Local resident Steve Hart along with Trees Ontario and the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority, hope to add one more attribute to that list – home to acres of beautiful trees and forests.

Achieving this goal isn't going to be easy. Amherst Island is an un-friendly home for trees. The island is overrun by voles (field mice), rabbits and deer. All three feast on tree seedlings and eat the bark of the more mature trees leaving a trail of devastation. The limestone-based Island is also home to shallow and nutrient-poor soil that is covered with fields of hay and tall grasses. The fields rapidly choke and kill newly planted seedlings.
Trees Ontario

About the Georgian Bay Coastal Trail: A rugged coastal hiking trail alongside the east coast of Georgian Bay from Bayfield Inlet to Point Grondine has been planned and is under construction within the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve. The Georgian Bay Coast Trail will allow hikers to explore the coastline of Georgian Bay for over 123 km.

In the near future, hikers will use water taxis in some areas and get their feet wet in others, as they walk through the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The trail is scheduled to open in 2012.
News Article

Creating that value proposition to sell your business or destination is essential to increased visitation and sales. Airlines do it with rewards programs and the always-enticing seat sale. Destinations do it by offering something unique and different that the consumer can’t get at home. Give people great memories and they will be your number one sales people. It also never hurts to have a finely tuned message, a great website, and an endorsement in the travel section from a major daily newspaper to drive you business.

BC Hughes: Trailhead Ontario speaker, has teamed up with some of Canada’s most creative and skilled advertising craftspeople to deliver results for your campaign. Since we live and breathe all aspects of the tourism supply chain, we understand your product and target audience like no other. We deliver world-class campaigns that produce results.
Website

Maple Syrup Season Underway: It's finally here. Although maple syrup season is running a little late this year, Ontario's maple sap has finally begun to flow.
Blog Link

Water Warnings - this one is regional but it applies in warmer areas of province:
Clarington residents are being warned to stay away from creeks and rivers due to high water levels caused by recent weather conditions.

The Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority is asking all residents and children to stay away from all watercourses and structures such as bridges, culverts and dams.

A high water safety bulletin remains in effect for the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority watershed. The majority of watershed in the area have received between 30-40mm of rain, which began with 5-10cm of snow on Tuesday. Warm temperatures have since caused snow cover to melt.
Article

Ottawa plans $100-million celebration of War of 1812

The Conservative government is planning a $100-million national celebration to mark the bicentennial of the War of 1812 next year.

It is understood that the current plans for the commemoration include re-enactments of famous battles, the repair of monuments and plaques, a new visitor centre at Fort York in Toronto, a documentary, a national essay-writing competition and a dedicated website. Dean Del Mastro, the parliamentary secretary for Canadian Heritage, confirmed the government is keen to make the bicentennial a major event. He said the Prime Minister and Heritage Minister James Moore are intent on making sure the significance of the anniversary isn't missed.

"It is going to be something that will unite Canadians and foster a greater understanding of our history," he said. "The country's borders were established by the outcome of the war. It was a big moment in our history and a lot of Canadians don't know a lot about it."

Discover 1812

Trails of 1812

Binational Partners

Canadian Taxpayer Federation Takes Shots at National Heritage

"According to a media report Monday, the bicentennial celebrations will include re-enactments of the war's famous battles, repairs to monuments and plaques, a national essay-writing competition, a documentary, a new visitor centre at Fort York in Toronto, and a new website dedicated to the war between the U.S. and Canada that resulted in the White House and Capital Building being burned during a British raid on Washington in 1814.

A government source denounced the $100 million figure reported Monday, saying the government was planning to spend "significantly less."

Officials at the department of heritage declined interview requests from QMI Agency, but a spokesman for Heritage Minister James Moore said the government would be announcing details of the bicentennial "in due course."

It's all done on a shoe sting anyway out of minor tourism and local budgets anyway so the CTF can reduce the rhetoric a bit.

Trails of 1812

Niagara 1812

Binational Alliance

Stevensville Conservaton Area - Right for Trail Building Workshop

"The topography at the Stevensville Conservation Area lends itself to a introductory level of trailbuilding workshop. The existing slopes are moderate and judging from a preliminary investigation, the soil seems to be a sandy clay. Both perfect features for instruction."

Professional Trail Builders Association

Ontario Trails

Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority

Ski Patrollers Keep Ontario Trails Safe

"Our biggest thing is, we actually go on the hill and get them," says Bruce Boynton, president of the Sault zone.

The province is broken up into nine geographic zones, which includes the Sault area.

There are 32 local volunteers ranging in age from 19 to 72 who are members of the Sault CSPS chapter. They provide services at Searchmont Resort, Stokely Creek Resort and Hiawatha Nordic Ski Centre.

CSPS members are highly trained individuals who deal with a variety of injuries and situations, says Boynton, who has been a safety ski patrol volunteer for 30 years.

Ontario Cross Country Ski Trails

About Ontario Cross Country Ski Trails

Morning Round Up

Come celebrate 11 years of Epic 8 racing at Mansfield! Mansfield Outdoor Centre is the ideal location providing excellent riding, a friendly atmosphere and unparelleled camping facilities. An action-packed day of fun awaits you at the Epic 8!

Epic 8 Racing at Mansfield


The Muskoka Lakes District, with the big three lakes – Joseph, Rosseau, and Muskoka – and thousands of smaller lakes, surround the tiny town of Bala and its cranberry marshes, just over 100 miles north of Toronto The Cranberry trails are just north of the Bala Falls, along Route 169. There are six trails that cross wetlands and bedrock and meander through forest, for 14 km, and they are great for hiking and mountain biking for about half the year and for skiing and snowshoeing the cooler half of the year.

Read more at Suite101


Here's a good close-up shot of a young moose swimming across a Canadian lake north Red Lake, Ontario.
Moose on Lake

There's plenty to do to keep them busy during March break week with fun at provincial parks, spring skiing and snowboarding, festivals, indoor play parks and more.

Like a walk in the park

Ontario Parks have a maple syrup festival, bird watching and cross-country skiing, says publicist Judy Hammond.

Ontario Trails
Toronto Sun

Georgian Triangle Snowshoers

You know that old story about walking in four feet of snow and going uphill both ways? The Georgian Triangle Snowshoers sure do.

The Snowshoers are a Facebook-based group of outdoors enthusiasts who meet once or twice a week at the south end of Georgian Bay in Ontario, Canada, centred on The Blue Mountains region. The area is best-known as a haven for alpine activities, with Blue Mountain Resort as the hub along with several private clubs, but truthfully, it’s just as good an area for Nordic activities.

Ontario Snowshoe Trails

Velo Quebec Doing Ontario Tours

The 2011 edition has an all-Ontario itinerary. It starts in Brockville on Saturday, Aug. 6, and ends up back there on Friday, Aug. 12.

It includes stops in Perth, Sydenham, Belleville and Kingston, with optional add-ons through Prince Edward County and the Thousand Islands.

Cyclists can expect to pedal just under 100 kilometres a day, or 550 kilometres in total, though there are designated shortcuts if you're tired and add-ons if you've got energy to burn. (The day's planned trip goes ahead no matter what the weather, so rain gear is a must.)

Ontario Cycling Trails

Three Exciting Places to Do things this March Break

"Dog parks in Ontario, Canada - dog friendly park, beach, and off-leash areas local to Toronto, Ottawa, and throughout Ontario."
Dog Parks

"Arrowhead Provincial Park, north of Huntsville, has 29 kilometres of cross-country trails along with 12 kilometres of skate-skiing trails. www.ontarioparks.com Enjoy the last blast of winter at Blue Mountain Resort on Georgian Bay from March 14 to 18."
Keep Busy this March Break

"The Pine Ridge Hiking Club is one of nine member clubs with the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association. The nine clubs maintain the 500 kilometre Ganaraska Hiking Trail from Port Hope on Lake Ontario to the Bruce Trail near Collingwood, with side trails to ..."
Take a Northumberland Hike

Discovery Walks - Toronto March Break Activities

Residents can explore their city on foot. The Discovery Walks program is a series of 11 self-guided walks linking ravines, parks and neighbourhoods. Ranging from 1.5 to 11 kilometres, the walks are designed to showcase Toronto’s outstanding natural features, cultural and historical attractions. Brochures and maps are available for pick up at civic centres.

Toronto Trails

Ontario Trail Events

Park's Canada and Rideau Upgrades

Rapid Media TV talks to Parks Canada at this year's Outdoor Adventure Show in Toronto, Ontario.

Rideau Trail

Eastern Ontario Trails

Centretown News On-line

The contest, hosted by Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation and Ottawa Tourism, is about promoting Ottawa’s outdoor adventure industry, says Steve Bruno, partnership co-ordinator at Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation.

“We looked at Ottawa and the Ottawa Valley and we know they have a big rafting industry there that isn’t getting as much attention as they’d like from the province in terms of marketing,” says Bruno.

Marketing indeed, the prize is worth over $25,000 for a seven-day adventure trip that includes a stay at the Château Laurier and a $1,000 gift card to Mountain Equipment Co-op.

Ontario Trails Council