I love hiking in Killarney Provincial Park, but if there’s one hike I particularly enjoy, it’s Granite Ridge Trail in the fall, as it gives such a spectacular view of the fall colours.
This year, I decided to put my cell-phone on record and bring you on a virtual hike up to the top of the trail.
Local folk musician Andy Lowe, who has spent a lot of time in Killarney himself, kindly allowed me to use his lovely song “Killarney in the Fall” to accompany my video.
I probably missed the peak of the fall colours by about a week this year, but it was still gorgeous, and a fun way to spend part of the day. If you go, make sure you bring a lunch so you can have a picnic at one of the lookouts.
According to a description provided by Killarney Outfitters, Granite Ridge Trail starts by winding through old fields and forests. On the ridge, two lookouts offer incredible views over the park area.
From the South Lookout, Collins Inlet and Phillip Edward Island follow the shore below you. Georgian Bay stretches to the horizon. To the west, Manitoulin Island is visible on clear days. The North Lookout opens onto the ridges of the La Cloche Range, which reach as far as the eye can see. The closest ridge is Killarney Ridge. Blue Ridge sits beyond the north.
Granite Ridge Trail offers a “big picture” of the area, showing hikers the spectacular scenery of this special part of Ontario.
The roughly two-kilometre loop trail takes around 1.5 hours to complete (give or take, depending on your fitness level). The difficulty is moderate, with some steep sections. In wet weather, rock surfaces are very slippery, and the trail path may be wet.
Heidi Ulrichsen is Sudbury.com’s assistant editor. Bold is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.