Categories: Travel

This Ontario park has trails that wind through canyons and past towering cliffs

Image via Scott Heaney/Shutterstock

How does a stroll through a canyon with clifftop views sound? Mono Cliffs Provincial Park is on the outskirts of Mono, Ont., just an hour and a half outside of Toronto, making it a great place for a day trip. The park has some gorgeous trails to explore for the day and is known as a “hot spot” for fall colour viewing.

Getting there

Mono Cliffs Provincial Park is part of the Niagara Escarpment Parks System and the Escarpment Biosphere Reserve.

If you’re planning on heading to the park for the day, be prepared to drive for around an hour and a half if you’re leaving from Toronto.

Reservations are required in advance to visit, and you can come prepared by securing your daily vehicle permit online before heading over.

Exploring Mono Cliffs Provincial Park

The first thing you need to do when visiting is wander through the canyon.

You’ll want to look for the Spillway Trail. This is what will lead you through what feels like the centre of the canyon. The trail is a modest 1.3 km and has an artificial pathway, making it relatively easy for hikers of all skill levels to navigate.

Another option for stellar views is the Cliff-Top Side Trail. It’s exactly what it sounds like. This path takes visitors past 30-metre cliffs along a 2.8 km journey — a great photo opportunity.

Image via Mark Evers Photography

Finally, if you’re going to Mono Cliffs in the fall, get ready to be amazed by the colours.

According to the Ontario Parks Fall Colour Report, the park is at its peak for fall colours right now, so perhaps a trip is in your future very soon!

Grab your adventure buddy and get ready for an amazing day away from the city, Ontario.