Categories: Travel

This 155-step staircase descends down the face of a scenic bluff in Ontario

Image via @awenda_pp/Instagram

Big adventure awaits in Tiny, Ont., an adorable town that is home to Awenda Provincial Park. While this spot is gorgeous any time of year, the park’s coolest feature, the Nipissing Trail, which leads hikers to a 155-step staircase that descends into a bluff, is especially gorgeous in the autumn.

It’s a must-visit, in my opinion, so if you’re looking to squeeze in one more fall adventure, let it be this.

Awenda Provincial Park is situated on Georgian Bay, approximately 20 minutes northwest of Penetanguishene in Tiny.

The park is an excellent spot for a day trip from Toronto, as it only takes two hours to get to by car. Day fees to enter the park start at $12.25 per vehicle.

At Awenda, 2,900 hectares of forested land and 31 kilometres of trails await, so you’re going to want to get there as early as possible to ensure you take advantage of a full day at the park.

Your first stop must be Nipissing Trail. The trail spans just 1 km but packs in some truly beautiful sights.

At the end of this quick walk, A “155-step staircase that allows hikers to easily descend 32 metres down the face of the bluff, at times providing the sensation of being part of the forest canopy,” will be waiting for you.

Another super cool Awenda gem? The ancient dune system dates back nearly 12,000 years and was formed during the last glacial retreat. This particular spot is considered fragile, so while you can view them from a distance along the Robitaille Homestead Trail, the park asks that visitors not touch or climb the dunes.

Wendat Trail is a bit longer at 5 km, and here you’ll see Kettle’s Lake — a lake thought to be formed by the gradual melting of a large buried piece of ice left by retreating glaciers.

These are just a few things you can do while at Awenda, so get planning and enjoy your adventure.