10 Best Hiking Trails in Algonquin Park for Families

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Looking for the best hiking trails in Algonquin Park for families? With some awesome hikes under our belt, we can definitely give you some pointers.

Algonquin Park is definitely one of Ontario’s most popular provincial parks, and with good reason.

Spanning approximately 7,653 square kilometres, the park is home to amazing lakes, beaches, campgrounds, canoeing routes, wildlife viewing, and most notably, hiking trails.

So whether you live in Ontario, or just visiting our amazing province, we have put together a list of the best hiking trails in Algonquin Park that you can add to your family’s bucket list.

Where is Algonquin Park Located?

Algonquin Park is located in south-central Ontario, approximately 250 km or just over 3 hours north of Toronto, and 260 km or just over 3 hours west of Ottawa.

Highway 60, which is Algonquin’s only major highway, runs through the south end of the Park and is open all year round.

What are the Kilometre Markers in Algonquin Park for?

As you travel along Highway 60, you will notice the kilometre markers along the way.

These markers aid in locating facilities and attractions within Algonquin, as Google Maps can often be unreliable with regard to the park.

In fact, many secondary roads also have kilometre markings to assist with navigation.

These markers are definitely important for both visitors and staff when providing information about the locations of Park facilities. 

When you enter the park at the West Gate, that is where the 0-kilometre marker is. The numbers increase as you head to the East Gate which sits at the 55.8 km marker.

To help make things easier, we have included the kilometre markers for each of the trails we mention in this post.

Do You Need to Pay to Get into Algonquin Park?

Because Algonquin is a provincial park, you either need a day-use permit or a seasonal day-use permit in order to enter the park.

If you are just driving along Highway 60 and are not stopping for any reason to use park facilities, then you will not need to have a valid park permit.

The cost of the passes is $21.00 for a day-use permit and $84.75 for a seasonal day-use permit.

The Best Hiking Trails in Algonquin Park for Families

We decided to focus only on the trails located along the Highway 60 corridor running through the park.

The trails vary in length and difficulty, making it easy to narrow down what your family can manage.

We did not find any of the trails to be too technically challenging, even if they were rated as moderate.

Something to keep in mind if you may be hesitant about trying a trail due to its rating.

1. Centennial Ridges 🥾

The Centennial Ridges trail is a challenging but rewarding adventure that will take you through some of the most stunning landscapes in the park.

The parking lot and trailhead can be found approximately 2 km from the turn-off point on highway 60.

According to the park’s rating system, this 10.4-kilometre hike falls under the “difficult” category. However, most hikers might find it only moderately challenging.

🥾 Fun Fact: The hike is named after the Centennial Anniversary of Algonquin Park in 1993.

This is partly due to the fact that the trail is one of the longer hikes in the park. It also has plenty of inclines and declines over uneven terrain as it winds through the rock ridges.

But don’t let this deter you from trying out this hike! The effort is definitely worth it as the trail rewards you with stunning views of the surrounding forests, lakes, and hills.

The hike takes approximately 4 to 6 hours to complete, depending on your pace and experience level.

The trail is well-marked, and you will find several lookout points along the way that provide absolutely jaw-dropping views.

We passed by several families with younger children during our hike. But for this trail, we would say to use your judgment based on your family’s hiking experience.

One of the Best Algonquin Trails for Fall Colours

The Centennial Ridges trail is definitely the best hike in Algonquin for viewing the fall foliage.

The vibrant red, yellow and orange colours of the deciduous trees, combined with the deep green of the pines, is definitely an experience you won’t soon forget.

And just a heads up, because this trail is so popular on fall weekends, you may want to arrive pretty early in the day.

Otherwise, the lot fills up quickly, and you may find yourself parking roadside with a long walk to the Trailhead.

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2. Track and Tower 🥾

The 7.5-kilometre Track and Tower trail is another one of the more popular hikes in the park and for good reason.

The trail follows an old logging route, taking hikers through some of the most beautiful scenery in the area.

The hike takes you through dense forests, past towering rock cliffs, along the peaceful lakeshore, and then down an old railway bed.

But the best part of the hike is the stunning views from the top that you get over Cache Lake.

This well-marked trail is rated as moderate to difficult and can take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours to complete, depending on your pace and experience level.

The rating is pretty much based on the amount of elevation you gain because technically, we didn’t find the trail very difficult at all.

In fact, we found the most difficult part of the trail to be the long staircase located at the steepest section of the trail.

And even though the stairs were better than climbing up the cliff over rocks and tree roots, it was still a pretty decent workout to get to the top.

The Trailhead for the Track and Tower hike is located right off Highway 60. There isn’t a ton of parking, so on our hike, we actually had to park along the roadside and walk to the trailhead.

Hike and Bike Option

We would also like to mention that on this particular trail, you can actually do a hike and bike combination.

The Old Railway Bike Trail and the Track and Tower Trail can be combined to create an awesome family adventure.

If you don’t have your own, you can rent bikes from the Two Rivers Store located at the Lake of Two Rivers Campground. This is near where the Old Railway Bike Trail begins.

Follow the well-marked rail trail for about 8.5 km until it reaches the end. At this point, there are washrooms and bike stands available for you to safely secure your bike.

Right by the washrooms, is where you will pick up the Track and Tower Trail.

From there, it’s a 1.35-kilometre uphill hike to the lookout point, which includes the aforementioned steep set of stairs.

Take in the amazing view before retracing your steps back to your starting point. The entire hike-and-bike trip should take you approximately three hours.

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3. Bat Lake Trail 🥾

If you are looking for a relatively easy trail to start off with, then the Bat Lake Trail is for you. The trail is not very strenuous, so it is perfect for beginners, families with younger kids, or those who may want to try multiple trails in one day.

The Bat Lake Trail is a 5.8 km loop trail that takes you through the forest and past several small lakes, including Bat Lake.

With wooden boardwalks to walk over and only a few steep climbs, you can focus on enjoying the lovely views of the pristine lakes.

If you are attempting this trail in the summer, we would highly recommend insect repellent, long sleeves, and even bug nets, as mosquitos can be a nuisance.

In the winter, the trail can get icy, so crampons are something you definitely should consider.

Even at a leisurely pace, this trail should take you only between 2 and 3 hours to complete. There is also plenty of parking at the trailhead.

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4. Big Pines 🥾

The Big Pines Trail is a 2.9-kilometre hike through the forest with the opportunity to see the remains of an 1880s logging camp.

While the hike is really nice and definitely perfect for beginners, the ruins are fenced off and a little difficult to see and make out.

This hike is mostly about seeing some incredibly tall white pines, and not so much about scenic viewpoints.

If you pick up a trail guide at the beginning of the hike, you can even learn a little about the logging history in the area by following along with the corresponding signposts.

You can find most of the larger pines at the beginning of the trail. So if you are short on time, and are interested in seeing the largest of the white pines, head to markers three and four.

This loop trail is hiked in a counter-clockwise direction. As we mentioned, the trail is perfect for beginners or families with younger children but does have some areas with uneven terrain.

The trail circles around the former logging camp before passing a wetland area.

There, you will find a couple of benches where you can sit, take a break, and enjoy the views.

You can easily expect to complete this trail in one to 1.5 hours.

And just a heads up, The Big Pines trailhead parking lot is connected to the Lookout Trail parking lot. It was an absolute nightmare to find a spot to park during the fall weekends, even though the trail itself was not too busy.

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5. Whiskey Rapids 🥾

This 2.1-kilometre loop trail is located near Algonquin’s West Gate and is one of the easiest trails in the park.

And although there are a couple of steep sections at the beginning and end of the trail, it is definitely appropriate for beginners and families with young kids.

This hike is a lowlands hike, following the Oxtongue River to Whiskey Rapids. If you time your hike properly, the rapids are spectacular to look at.

Unfortunately, during our fall hike, the water level was pretty low. This area also experiences flooding in the spring, so you may want to check in with the park office before heading out for your hike.

This hike takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. And even though this trail is less busy than hikes in the more central area of Algonquin, the parking lot is pretty small. We had some trouble getting in and out of the lot during the fall season.

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6. Beaver Pond Trail 🥾

The Beaver Pond Trail is definitely one of the favourite hiking trails in Algonquin Park for families.

Not only is the trail itself pretty easy to hike, but there is a ton of wildlife viewing possibilities including beaver and turtles, for the kids to enjoy.

This 2-kilometre trail takes you through lush forest and past several beaver-formed lakes and streams.

The best part is, you get to walk over some of the streams on a wooden boardwalk, so you are literally at water level.

This hike also has some sections where you will walk up and over rocky ridges.

At this point, the trail becomes a little more uneven with roots and rocky areas, but you will also get some pretty spectacular views.

The best chances to see wildlife are usually in the spring and fall, but realistically, they can be seen during the summer as well.

And the great thing about the Beaver Pond Trail is even if you don’t actually see the beaver, you can always enjoy seeing the beaver dams and beaver houses which are visible in the ponds.

Expect your hike to take about one to 1.5 hours to complete. Of course, we can’t guarantee this time frame if the kids stop to enjoy the animal sightings!

7. The Lookout 🥾

The Lookout Trail is a two-kilometre hike up to a lookout point with incredible views over lush deciduous forests, pine ridges, and a sparkling lake.

This is another one of the best hikes in Algonquin Park for families, simply because of the huge rewards for little effort.

Although the hike is fairly steep, the trail is packed dirt, wide, and pretty easy to navigate.

Once you reach the top, you will come across several lookouts along rocky pine-covered ridges.

You will also find a couple of shade-covered benches at the top where you catch your breath and enjoy the scenery.

We preferred to sprawl ourselves out on the warm, flat stones near the edge of the cliff for the best views!

The Lookout Trail is rated as difficult, but this is mostly due to the steep and continuous incline. The trail itself is not technically difficult.

We would allot about an hour to complete this trail.

As one of our favourite short trails in the park, we actually took longer to do this hike, simply because we decided to have a picnic at the viewpoint!

Just a quick note, you will find an arrow pointing to the right around marker #2. Follow it! By going to the left, the trail to the viewpoint is a bit shorter, but also a lot steeper.

You can get to the viewpoint in a shorter amount of time by just following the proper route.

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8. Spruce Bog Boardwalk 🥾

The Spruce Bog Boardwalk is a 1.5-kilometre trail that is easy enough for the whole family to enjoy.

For the most part, the trail is flat and easy to walk across.

Made up of either a boardwalk or a hard-packed dirt trail, the Spruce Bog Trail winds through the wetlands and spruce forest, providing ample opportunity for wildlife spotting.

But just a heads up, there is very little shade on this trail.

So if you are planning to hike the Spruce Bog Boardwalk during the summer, we would suggest an early morning or late afternoon hike.

However, you will only need about 30 minutes to complete this hike, so realistically, timing isn’t really that important.

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9. Logging Museum Outdoor Exhibit Trail 🥾

The Algonquin Logging Museum Outdoor Exhibit Trail is located just inside the park near the East Gate.

This 1.3-kilometre scenic walking trail runs behind the museum and through the forest.

This trail is perfect for families and those looking to learn more about the logging history in the park.

Along the interpretive walking trails, you will find exhibits, buildings, trains, and other vehicles related to logging.

The trail goes through the evolution of the logging industry starting with the earliest equipment and methods displayed at the beginning.

Kids can have fun exploring the buildings which show what it was like to live and work in a logging camp.

This trail is incredibly easy and level. If you are just going for a stroll, you could easily complete this hike in about an hour.

However, you may want to leave yourself a little more time if you plan to read all the interpretive plaques or explore the exhibits (which is what we recommend).

10. Hardwood Lookout 🥾

This short hike is just under one kilometre in length round trip and offers the greatest reward for the least amount of effort.

If you are in a hurry but do not want to leave Algonquin Park without experiencing some of the gorgeous views, then this is the hike for you.

Now we should mention, that although the trail is really short, there is a steady climb up to the scenic lookout point.

Don’t worry, there are a couple of benches at the top of the lookout, where you can rest and take in the incredible views of Smoke Lake and the forest below.

The trail is meant to be hiked in a counter-clockwise direction, but you can cheat and do the hike clockwise.

The ‘cheat’ makes the trail less strenuous, and also means that the lookout is only a short walk from the trailhead.

The Hardwood Lookout Trail is great for beginners and families, and shouldn’t take you more than 30 minutes to one hour to complete.

Algonquin Park Map

We would recommend downloading a PDF map of the Algonquin hiking trails found along the Highway 60 Corridor before you get to the park.

You can also pick up a map in the park offices located at the East or West gate, as well as at the Visitor’s Centre.

When is the Best Time to Hike in Algonquin Park?

If you’re planning a family trip to Algonquin Park, you might be wondering when the best time to hike is. The answer really depends on what you’re looking for and what your hiking preferences are.

🌿 Summer

In the summer months, from June to August, the weather is warm and the park is bustling with activity. This is a great time to explore the many lakes and waterways by canoe or kayak.

Also, if you’re an avid hiker, the summer months offer more daylight hours, allowing you to try longer hikes and explore more of the park.

On the downside, however, visiting Algonquin during the summertime means the trails can be crowded, and bugs can be a nuisance.

🍂 Autumn

The fall, from September to November, is a beautiful time to hike in Algonquin Park. The leaves change colour, creating a stunning display of reds, oranges, and yellows.

The trails and campsites are less crowded during the week, and the cooler temperatures make for comfortable hiking conditions. Just make sure to pack warm layers as the temperatures can drop quickly.

Of course, the fall weekends in Algonquin can also be incredibly busy. This is when all the leaf-peepers come out, crowding the trails, and making it next to impossible to find parking.

❄️ Winter

Winter in Algonquin Park can be a magical experience. The snow-covered trails offer a unique and serene hiking experience.

With the crowds gone, you’ll have the trails to yourself, and the park takes on a quiet stillness that is hard to find anywhere else. Just make sure to dress appropriately for the cold weather and pack snowshoes and crampons/ice cleats if needed.

And in case you may be interested, Algonquin has a couple of campsites that are open year-round for those who want to winter camp.

🍃 Spring

In the spring, from March to May, the park comes back to life as the snow melts and the flowers start to bloom. The trails can be muddy, but the scenery is breathtaking as everything begins to turn green again.

If you’re lucky, you might even spot some wildlife, such as moose or deer, as they start to come out of hiding. Springtime is generally pretty quiet, so you won’t find crowds on the trails.

We would recommend checking in at the gates before heading out for a hike. The park staff will let you know if any of the trails are closed due to spring flooding.

What Should I Wear to Hike in Algonquin Park?

When planning a hike in Algonquin Park, make sure that you are wearing comfortable clothing and appropriate shoes.

We recommend wearing hiking boots, or at the very least trail runners, for most of the park’s trails.

We would also recommend hiking poles for extra stability. They are perfect for picking your way across uneven terrain and helping you to balance going up or down steep hills.

Wear a comfortable backpack! If you plan on hiking for several hours, you will need a well-fitted backpack to carry all your gear.

The backpack will need to be big enough to carry all your essentials, while at the same time, not being so heavy that it gets to be too much.

Make sure to pack extra layers of clothing. The weather tends to be unpredictable in Algonquin Park and can change very quickly.

Dressing in layers makes sure that you are comfortable, no matter what the temperature.

Always make sure that your base layers are breathable (think wool, never cotton), and that you have a light top layer that is wind and/or rain-repelling.

Have plenty of snacks on hand that the kids enjoy, as well as plenty of water to stay hydrated.

This is especially important for those times when they begin to get ‘hangry’ or need that extra treat to get them through the hike.

And of course, this should go without saying. Make sure you pack out everything you bring on your hike. There are garbage cans conveniently located near the trailhead.

Lastly, make sure you have sunscreen and bug spray with you, as well as a basic first-aid kit in case of small mishaps. When we hike with kids, we never leave home without it!

Algonquin Park Trails – FAQs

Final Thoughts on the Best Hiking Trails in Algonquin Park for Families

Exploring the great outdoors with your family is an adventure like no other, and Algonquin Provincial Park offers a variety of hiking trails suitable for families of all ages and abilities.

From scenic lookout points to sparkling lakeshores, and from the forest floor to towering cliff faces, Algonquin’s hiking trails offer something for everyone.

So, pack your backpacks, grab your hiking shoes, and head out to explore some of the best hiking trails in Algonquin Park for families!

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