The North Bear Alvar is a mix of extensive grassland, shrub and treed alvars that support unique species. Logs and rocks provide cover for snakes, and wetlands are home to many frogs and turtles. Keep an eye out — you might even spot a moose or black bear! Experience the unique sights, scents and sounds of Carden’s alvars and wetlands. Alvars are globally rare ecosystems characterized by shallow soils on limestone bedrock. Meander along a boardwalk through a wet meadow. Listen to the music of grassland birds and insects while wandering through a field of flowers and enjoying the peace of nature.
This property contains areas of bare limestone bedrock with clearly visible glacial features, such as grykes (cracks in the limestone), potholes (where rocks spun around and carved round, deep holes in the bedrock) and ancient sea fossils from millions of years ago when the area was under water.
Link to trail map: https://naturedestinations.ca/destinations/north-bear-alvar
SAFETY ALERTS
black bears – advisable to bring bear spray and air horn.
Hunting occurs on this property in November/December; wear blaze orange. Signs will be posted when hunters are on property.
Alvar Road may have significant potholes in spring and after storms.
Parking is available along the roadside on Alvar Rd. Vehicles should pull off the road (north side) as much as is safe to allow traffic to pass. Please do not block gates on neighbouring properties.
Parking and driving on Alvar Road is undertaken at visitor’s own risk.
North Bear Alvar has just one of the many nature trails and hiking trails you can find throughout Ontario by using the search features of OntarioNaturetrails.com
Region(s): Kawartha LakesNearby towns and cities: Orillia
Trail feature tags: alvar | Boardwalk | Interpretive signage | nature trail
North Bear Alvar characteristics
Length: 3.5 km loopDifficulty: Easy (Trail classifications)
Trail surface: Boardwalks and Natural
Trail use: Hiking
Accessibility Notes: Not wheelchair accessible.
Fees: none
Flora & Fauna:
SPECIES TO SPOT
balsam ragwort, black bear, blueflag iris, common nighthawk, downy Indian-paintbrush, eastern whip-poor-will, field sparrow,fisher, golden-winged warbler, little bluestem, moose, northern leopard frog, prairie smoke, swamp milkweed, upland sandpiper, white-tailed deer
Amenities: none
Attractions: boardwalk, interpretive signage
Contact:
The Couchiching Conservancy 705-326-1620
Find it: Alvar Road, west of Wylie Rd, Kawartha Lakes, ON
GPS Coordinates (main trailhead):
Latitude: 44.6881700
Longitude: -79.0385360