Hardy Lake Provincial Park Hiking Trails
Hardy Lake Provincial Park provides hiking access to the shores of both Hardy Lake and Lake Muskoka, two of the most picturesque and rugged shorelines, characteristic of the lake-studded Precambrian rock landscapes of Muskoka. Originally settled in the 1870's by homesteaders, the Park now supports exceptional life science values. Homesteading was not viable and subsequently the park was used as a private recreational property. It was acquired in 1980 and is designated a Natural Environment Park. The base rock of the park in gneiss of late Precambrian age. The barren rock ridges were possibly wave-washed by glacial lakes Algonquin and Nipissing. The topography is attributed to the last ice age, the eastern half has barren rock ridges and swampy depression and the western portion is an expanse of deep ground moraine. Vegetation varies from an extensive area of extremely dry, red oak and pinr forested granite ridges interpersed with wetlands, associated with beaver ponds, bogs and meadows. The five lined skink, Ontario's only lizard, is found here along with the occasional Massasauga rattler. Other forest types include the common trees of the Great Lakes - St.Lawrence Forest Region such as sugar maple, hemlock, beech and white oak. This forest is home to many of the white tail deer, moose and bear in the area. There are also rare aquatic plants normally found along the Atlantic coastal plain of eastern North America in the wetter areas of the park. The trails consist of the loop around the lake of 8 km and a short loop of 3 km, access to Lake Muskoka id from two points along the northern portion of the trail. The trail system is accessed from the parking lot off HWY #169, 1 Kilometre west from Walkers Point Rd. The hiking trails do require good footwear. Suggested uses are hiking, picnicking, and canoeing.
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| Hardy Lake Provincial Park Hiking Trails: |
Hwy 169
Walkers Point, Ontario P0C 1A0
Canada |
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