Take a hike for International Trails Day on June 5

JUNE 4, 2021 – Saturday, June 5 marks International Trails Day, a global celebration of trails, their development and encouraging an active, healthy lifestyle, all while appreciating our environment and Kawartha Conservation has all of your trail needs covered.

With five conservation and natural areas, boasting more than 24 kms of marked trails, whether you’re looking for a short hike with friends and family, an accessible trail or a longer excursion, we have a trail perfect for you to celebrate International Trails Day.

Ken Reid Conservation Area, located just outside of Lindsay features 10 kms of trails including an Escarpment Loop, Woodland Loop through towering trees, and also featuring the Talking Forest, as well as an Accessible Trail and Accessible Viewing Platform overlooking the McLarens Provincially Significant Wetland. There are also two boardwalks, a Cedar Forest Trail, Point Loop Trail and open meadow-like spaces for hiking.

Just outside of Omemee is Windy Ridge Conservation Area. This beautiful area consists of approximately 2 kms of trails, but features one of the most spectacular views of the Oak Ridges Moraine from the ‘Ridge’. If scenery is what you’re looking for, Windy Ridge is your destination.

Further south, off of Highway 35 in Kawartha Lakes is Fleetwood Creek Natural Area. The road into Fleetwood Creek is unmaintained, so you might want to park at the top of the hill and take the short walk into Fleetwood Creek. Once there, the trails lead to a beautiful viewing platform with spectacular views.

Pigeon River Conservation Area also features a boardwalk and viewing platform on it’s nearly 3.5 kms of trails. Presently the bridge remains closed over one stretch of trail and will be replaced later this year. But for those looking for a great, hidden gem, Pigeon River is a wonderful destination.

In the most southern portion of the Kawartha watershed, Durham East Cross Forest features 7 kms of marked and diverse trails perfect for exploring. Whether you enter from the north side or the south side, DECF is a favourite destination for many.

Durham East Cross Forest is a natural core area on the Oak Ridges Moraine. Its cold springs and wetlands become the headwaters for East Cross Creek and Pigeon River. It also has vital forests, meadows and beautiful sandy soil you can experience.

So whether you’re looking to enjoy the sounds of birds, hear the wind rustle through tall trees, spot an Osprey or, if you’re lucky, a Bald Eagle, hunting over McLarens Creek, or just want to stare out among beautiful vistas, be sure to visit one of our conservation areas on Saturday, June 5 and be part of International Trails Day. And don’t forget to tag us at the conservation area you’re visiting. We love to see people enjoying our trails. You can find us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

See you on the trails.