Ontario’s winter weather has been nothing but kind to us, staying mild for the most part. That just keeps us looking forward and staying hopeful for the nice spring weather that is expected to come. And of course, we’re eager to head outdoors and be one with nature, exploring its nooks and crannies and beautiful sights. The best way to do that is by embarking along a trail and lucky for us Ontario is filled with them, especially with the most scenic boardwalks.
We’ve compiled a list of the best boardwalks in Ontario worthy of exploring this spring:
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Chapman Mills Conservation Area
Just a few minutes away from Canada’s capital, Ottawa, you’ll find Chapman Mills. This area sprawls across 23 acres of land, located on the west bank of the Rideau River.
Chapman Mills has about 1.5 km of trails with several lookout points along the way. As you trek along the trail, you’ll come across a few boardwalks. T
Where: 253 Winding Way – Ottawa, Ontario
Goderich Boardwalk Trail
The gorgeous town of Goderich has a boardwalk trail that connects to various beaches and it’s totally worth a visit.
The boardwalk trail extends 1.5 kilometres along the waterfront, with an ice cream pit stop at the end of it.
The pathway is over 10 feet wide and offers front-row views of the beautiful “must-see” beaches along Lake Huron.
Where: Goderich, ON
Hardy Lake Provincial Park
We’ve never met a boardwalk trail we didn’t like, but this one might be Ontario’s best. Hardy Lake Provincial Park is one of the quieter hiking spots in the Muskoka region, with a wooden walkway to take in your surroundings.
There are no visitor facilities or amenities at Hardy Lake, according to Ontario Parks, but the fascinating geological history makes it a destination worth visiting.
Where: Highway 169 – Torrance, ON
Mono Cliffs Provincial Park
The park is located in the town of Mono, along the Bruce Trail. It’s also part of the Niagara Escarpment Parks System and the Escarpment Biosphere Reserve.
It has a breathtaking spillway trail that takes you right through a canyon, clifftops, and 30-metre rock faces.
Where: 795086 3rd Line EHS – Shelburne, ON
Presqu’ile Provincial Park
Located at this park is a fascinating 1-km boardwalk trail through lush marshland.
It is the largest protected marsh on the north shore of Lake Ontario and the vast landscape is truly breathtaking, especially from the wooden lookout towers.
Where: 328 Presqu’Ile Parkway, Brighton
Rattray Marsh Conservation Area
This outdoor destination is known for its abundant wildlife and scenic boardwalk that overlooks a lakefront marsh. To access the boardwalk, you’ll need to embark along the Pedestrian Waterfront Trail first.
In totality, this trail spans 1.1 km and takes about 20 minutes to complete. You’ll come across the boardwalk about halfway through the Pedestrian Waterfront Trail.
The boardwalk loop aka Knoll Trail is only 0.3 km long but it’s worth the mini adventure.
Where: 660 Bexhill Rd – Mississauga, ON
Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront Walkway
For a truly amazing sight, walk along the Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront Walkway that stretches over 2.5 km. It trails alongside the St. Mary’s River, between Canal Drive and the Art Gallery of Algoma in the downtown area.
According to Destination Ontario, you can watch “marine traffic navigate locks along the river and take in views of the International Bridge, Whitefish Island, and even the US shoreline in Michigan State.”
“The boardwalk features benches, picnic tables, and lookout platforms and is connected to the longer multi-use Hub Trail that circles the city, as well as several attractions like Roberta Bondar Park, Ermatinger-Clergue Historic Site, and the Canadian Bushplane Museum.”
Where: 5V4 Hub Trail, St. Marys River D – Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Sifton Bog Trail
Located in London, ON, the Sifton Bog trail features a beautiful wooden boardwalk that leads out to Redmond’s Pond. This park is also home to ecologically significant wetlands, according to Destination Ontario. “Notably, it’s one of the most southern floating acidic peat bogs with boreal plant life in Canada.”
This scenic route is worth exploring.
Location: 1210 Oxford Street West, London, between Hyde Park Road and Oxford Street
Toronto Beaches Boardwalk
According to Destination Ontario, the eastern boardwalk stretches along 3.5 km along the Lake Ontario shoreline right in Toronto’s east-end and Beaches neighbourhood.
This boardwalk runs parallel to the mixed-use Martin Goodman Trail and there are benches facing the lake, perfect to watch the sunset. The entire boardwalk stretches between Balmy Beach Park and Ashbridges Bay Park.
Where: Between Balmy Beach Park and Ashbridges Bay Park
