Gatineau Park - Huron Trail

Gatineau Park - Huron Trail

Length: 4.9 km (one way)

Time: 1-2 hours

Terrain: Moderate

The boots are knotted, the pack is full and the dog is excited... Today's hike is the Huron Trail located in Gatineau Park. Parking can be found at the Lac Fortune Lookoff (N45 30.707 - W075 52.099) which is just east of the trail head. The beginning is easy found as it is marked with a signpost (N45 30.727 - W075 52.269).

Trail Head

This 4.9 km hike is marked for its entire length as trail 3 and ends with a fantastic view of the Ottawa Valley. The first leg consists of a steady climb for approximately half a kilometre. After that, the route levels out and is quite easy with only a few more ups and downs. The trail is for the most part is crushed gravel but also includes grass and mud. In the spring it's advised you wear Gore-Tex boots.

For this hike, I recommend you bring at least two litres of water, a camera, a good trekking pole and a bear bell. You're walking into the back country, it's always a good idea to be prepared for anything.

As you progress in the hike you'll pass a number of beaver ponds and even get a nice close-up of a dam. For those photographers, there are a lot of opportunities for scenery shots. This is also one of the trails that does not allow mountain bikers so there is no need to be constantly looking over your shoulder.

As you near the end of the hike you'll intersect with Trail 1, Ridge Road. Continue straight through for another 300 metres to the end of the trail and the Étienne Brûlé Lookout where you can enjoy a nice picnic with a great view.

Étienne Brûlé Lookout

If you planned ahead and parked a second car at the Lookout then you're quickly on your way. If you have to hike back you have two options, returning back on the Huron Trail or heading south on Trail 1 which is an shorter and easier route back to the Lac Fortune lot.

Huron Trail may be one of Gatineau Park's less traveled trails it is all worth it in the end.

Huron Trail Map

Huron Trail Elevation Profile

Lake Whittaker Conservation Area

Lake Whittaker - Sinking Bridge Trail and Ivan Row Trail

Length: 3km of hiking trails (5km with total loop of Lake)
Time: 60-90 minutes
Terrain: Easy to Moderate

Located in South-West Ontario near the hamlet of Avon, Lake Whittaker Conservation Area is a nice wooded esacpe in the middle of farm country. The 26-acre lake supports a public beach, camping, fishing and several kilometres of hiking trails.

The entrence to the conservation area is located at the end of Whittaker Lane. There is an $8.00 entry fee (per vehical) to gain access for the day. Once you're all paid up turn left around the gatehouse and follow the road along the south side of the lake to the day-use parking area (GPS Location: N 42 54.720 W080 57.587).

The two trails will take you on a 5 kilometre (3 km of hiking trail, 2 km of road) loop of the lake. From the day-use parking lot, walk the wooded trail and end up at the public beach in the camping area. From the beach, back to the parking area, walk along the road.

Starting at the day-use parking lot, head towards the lake and through the gate. Welcome to Sinking Bridge Trail.

The first few hundred metres of the path are quite simple... it's wide, grass covered and quite flat. Make sure you check out the fishing piers to the right as they give you a great view of the lake. Also along this stretch is a nice pinic area with lots of tables, this is a great spot to sit and relax after the hike.

Photos Provided by Jamie Limebeer Photography

After a few minutes you'll arrive at the end of a road and the trail will make a sharp right and down a hill. This part of the trail is actually the old allignment of the road and at the bottom of the hill was an old floating bridge that crossed the wetlands.

Now this is where the trail starts getting a little more difficult. Before reaching to bottom of the hill there is a small un-marked entrence to your left. It may not look like much but things open up after few minutes. This part of the hike is takes you along some very interesting terrain as well as grassy meadows, over boardwalks and through old hard and soft-wood forests.

Photos Provided by Jamie Limebeer Photography

By this point you've probably noticed that the trail is not marked that well (or at all) and the map available at the gate-house is not a good representation of the trail. As you walk through this part of the woods you're probably wishing things were advertised a little better. Over the next few minutes you'll find many forks in the trail. From what I saw, most lead back to the main trail but use the attached map below to help you find your way.

Photos Provided by Jamie Limebeer Photography

Continue along the route until you reach the old alignment of road again, this will mark the end of the Sinking Bridge Trail but not the end of the hike. Follow the grassy road until you see a sign for the Ivan Row Trail and make a right into the second half.

Ivan Row Trail is a little different then the Sinking Bridge Trail, it follows much closer to the the lake and can get quite muddy as you make your way through some marshlands. Though the trail is not marked (except for the entrance and exit) it is much easier to follow with no side trails to confuse you. As you near the campground section of the park the trail will turn into a mountain biking area with several jumps and hills. If you stay to the right you'll see the exit which brings you to the public beach and some washrooms.

That marks the end of your hike. To get back to the day-use parking lot follow the road to your east, past to the gatehouse and along the south of the lake.

Lake Whittaker Conservation Area is a great spot to spend an afternoon. The trails allow you too see a rare part of Southern Ontario. The only negative is the lack of signage along the trail but the scenery by far makes up for this. Enjoy.

Lake Whittaker Map

The Mer Bleue Bog Trail

Mer Bleue Bog Trail

Length: 1.2 km loop
Time: 45-60 minutes
Terrain: Easy

Welcome to the Mer Bleue Conservation Area. Located south-east of downtown Ottawa, Mer Bleue is little piece of north hidden in the south. The area features a number of hiking trails including the Bog Trail Boardwalk. Parking for the boardwalk is located at the end of Ridge Road, which is off Anderson Road.

The hike is a 1.2 km loop and takes about 45 minutes. The terrain is pretty easy, for most of the hike you're on flat wooden plank with only the last few hundred metres being on old fashioned dirt. Dogs are not allowed.

When you arrive at the parking lot head south past the outhouse towards the bog. Along the way there are a number of information panels explaining the history and science of the bog. You'll eventually arrive at a series of four panels at a fork in trail, from here turn right and the boardwalk is right there.

Photos provided by Jamie Limebeer Photography

Mer Bleue is actually an ancient channel of the Ottawa River. During the last ice age this area was under several kilometres of ice, when the glacier receded this new part of the Ottawa River was created. Over time the flow changed and thus the Mer Bleue Bog was born.

As you cross the open water along the boardwalk you'll notice the trees and plants ahead of you are a little different than what you just saw near the parking lot, that's because they are. Mer Bleue is a boreal peat bog, some flora can't grow here where others thrive. As you continue along the trail you'll notice trees such as black spruce and tamarack as well as ground cover or blueberries and cottongrass... these are normally located in more northern climates.

Photos provided by Jamie Limebeer Photography

As mentioned earlier, this trail is a loop so you'll eventually be sent back towards the ridge. But before that happens you'll be treated to a nice close-up of an old beaver lodge. Of all my years of coming to the bog I have never seen a beaver using this lodge but don't be surprised of you see any swimming around. The area is very active with wildlife... it not uncommon to see muskrat, turtles and even the odd moose. If you're a photographer, this is a great area for taking shots of animals.

Photos provided by Jamie Limebeer Photography

As you near the end of the boardwalk it means your hike is almost over. The last few hundred metres are in the woods along the edge of the ridge overlooking the bog. This spot provides a few great views of the marsh as well as few spots to sit down for a picnic.

Photos provided by Jamie Limebeer Photography

Enjoy your hike at the Mer Bleue Bog Trail.