PRESQU’ILE PROVINCIAL PARK TRAILS
What You’ll Like :
Over 300 car camping sites in a variety of settings from shoreline to forest
2.5 km sandy beach
16 km of trails and paths along shorelines and through woodlands and meadows
A migration hotspot in spring and fall, 338 bird species recorded with 130 breeding species
1 km marsh boardwalk trail accessing the largest protected marsh on the north shore of Lake Ontario
Two Visitor Centres; Nature Centre open daily in summer and the Lighthouse Centre open daily in summer and on weekends in the spring and fall
Daily interpretive programs in the summer
Second oldest operating lighthouse in Ontario
World class spring bird migration – waterfowl in March, warblers and shorebirds in May.
Presqu’ile has 12 km of traditional “off-road” trails. All trails are clearly marked with coloured plastic blazes and are cleared of deadfall on a regular basis.
Jobes’ Woods Trail – 1.0 km, 30 minutes, loop, easy
This trail winds through an area that was once part of a farm settled by Thomas and Ezekial Jobes in 1835. This part of their farm remained relatively undisturbed by settlement activity and today contains one of the oldest deciduous woodlots at Presqu’ile.
The trail passes by towering old maples, vernal pools crossed by boardwalks, conifer plantations, and an old field which is filling in with ash trees after a century of use by the Jobes family. An interpretive guide introducing visitors to the ecology of the Jobes’ forest is available at the trailhead or can be downloaded in the maps tab.
Owen Point Trail – 1.6 km, 45 minutes, loop, easy
This trail offers excellent opportunities to see migrating shorebirds along the natural beach and distant views of the waterbird colonies on their island nesting grounds. The trail can be accessed from the south end of the beach or from the west end of High Bluff Campground.
To avoid disturbing migrating birds, the natural beach is closed to foot traffic between ice-out and ice-in, but the trail provides a number of lookouts allowing views of the entire shore. In addition, pets are not allowed into any of the lookouts on this trail at any time, but can be taken on the loop. To protect the nesting waterbirds, access to Gull and High Bluff Islands is closed from March 10 to September 10 inclusive. Gull Island can usually be accessed by foot after September 10 from Lookout #5 of the Owen Point Trail.
An interpretive guide to the ecology of the point and the islands is available at the trailhead or can be downloaded in the maps tab.
Marsh Trail – 1.2 km, 30 minutes, loop, easy
This trail includes 800 m of boardwalk complete with two viewing towers and a teaching platform (great for picnics too!) that takes visitors into the marsh. Sixteen interpretive panels along the trail illustrate the story of the marsh and its inhabitants. The boardwalk portion of the trail is barrier-free.
Pioneer and Newcastle Trails – 8.1 km, 3 hours, two interconnected loops, easy
These trails lead you through the forests, plantations and old fields found in the heart of the Presqu’ile peninsula. Along these trails you will encounter a diversity of plants and wildlife in the mature beech-maple forest, old fields and early succession forest which dominate this area of the park.
The Pioneer Trail is 3.8 km and marked by yellow plastic blazes. The Newcastle Trail is 4.3 km and is marked by orange plastic blazes. The trailhead for both trails is halfway along Lighthouse Lane, though there are a number of other access points along both trails. Both trails use park roadways for part of their length so be cautious of vehicles and monitor children running ahead on the trail.
Lighthouse Foot Path – 300 m, 20 minutes, loop, easy
This loop connects the Lighthouse Interpretive Centre with the lighthouse itself. There are great views of Lake Ontario and Presqu’ile Bay, with waterfowl in winter and spring, and a cool breeze in summer. Interpretive panels illustrate the history of the area.
Cemetery Trail – 300 m, 15 minutes, linear, easy
This path connects the cemetery interpretive panel at the Camp Office parking lot with the site of an abandoned pioneer cemetery. The site itself is marked with a commemorative granite boulder, though no other evidence remains.
Link to Parks Brochure and Trails map:
https://www.ontarioparks.com/pdf/maps/presquile/park_map.pdf
PRESQU’ILE PROVINCIAL PARK TRAILS are just some of the many nature trails and hiking trails you can find throughout Ontario by using the search features of OntarioNaturetrails.com
Region(s): Northumberland CountyNearby towns and cities: Brighton
Trail feature tags: Boardwalk | Interpretive signage | Lighthouse | Lookout | nature trail | provincial park | swimming
PRESQU’ILE PROVINCIAL PARK TRAILS characteristics
Length: 12 kms of trails of varying lengths.Difficulty: Moderate (Trail classifications)
Trail surface: Boardwalks and Natural
Trail use: Hiking
Partially wheelchair accessible
Fees: Park entrance fee
Flora & Fauna:
Not reported yet
Amenities: Washrooms & picnic areas
Attractions: Boardwalks, interpretive signage, lighthouse, lookouts, provincial park, swimming
Contact:
Phone: 613-475-4324
Find it: 328 Presqu’ile Parkway Brighton
GPS Coordinates (main trailhead):
Latitude: 43.9980000
Longitude: -77.7261000