Parks, Waterfront and Trails

More information on Port Hope Parks, Waterfront and Trails.

Hiking

Lace up your hiking boots and start doing your stretching exercises. The Municipality of Port Hope offers diverse and interesting walking and hiking trails that can provide either a leisurely afternoon stroll or a scenic nature hike.

The Waterfront Trail has a beautiful unobstructed view of Lake Ontario. This trail follows along the lake shore from the Port Hope Marina, east to Gages Creek, where special wetlands offer an abundance of wetland wildlife.

The Ganaraska Hiking Trail was started in 1968. It now connects with the Bruce Trail near Collingwood, making the total trail almost 450 kilometers. The Ganaraska section forms the start of this trail, beginning at the trail head cairn, across from the Town Hall. The trail offers a picturesque walk along the banks of the Ganaraska River to the Port Hope Conservation Area. All sections are challenging and geared towards walkers only. The walk also provides many opportunities to see wildlife and old growth trees. Sturdy shoes are advised for this trail. During the wet spring, the area should be avoided as river flows can be dangerously high and is not recommended for young children.

Of special interest is the fish ladder at Corbett's Dam, beside the Highway 401 underpass. During early spring the fish ladder is filled with spawning trout making their way north up the river. In the fall, immense Chinook salmon, achieving sizes of thirty to forty pounds jump the ladder. Beyond the local section, the trail passes from the sandy hills of the Ganaraska Forest through the Kawarthas to the rugged wilderness of the Canadian Shield.

The Ravine Lands Trail is a connecting trail from the Ganaraska River that runs west to Port Hope High School. Hiking booklets are available at the Port Hope Tourism Office. Happy hiking!

Year round recreational opportunities at the Ganaraska Forest located within an hour's drive of Toronto, straddling the Counties of Northumberland, Peterborough, Victoria and the Region of Durham, the Ganaraska Forest offers the best in outdoor recreation. This 4,000 hectare (10,500 acre), multi-use area encompasses over 100 trails passing through sandy, rolling terrain typical of the Oak Ridges Moraine.

The Ganaraska Forest provides year-round recreational opportunities for a variety of activities including hiking, mountain biking, equestrian riding and in the winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on groomed trails. The trails are ideal for nature appreciation with a wide variety of animal and plant life to observe.

The Central section of the forest is maintained as a passive use area, while the East and West Forests allow motorized use including such activities as off-road motorcycle riding, ATVing and snowmobiling.

There are several access points but many activities begin at the Ganaraska Forest Centre on Cold Springs Road near Kendal. From Port Hope, take County Road 28 north from Highway 401. Turn west on County Road 9 and travel 2 kilometers just past Garden Hill. On your way to the forest, don't miss the wonderful view of Rice Lake at Richardson's Lookout. Watch for signs, continue on to Elizabethville. Turn north at Cold Springs Camp Road and proceed 4 kilometers to the Forest Centre. For more information call the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority at (905) 885-8173.

Are you ready to challenge the hills and valleys of this beautiful area? Start off in the downtown with a tour of the Heritage District. Cycle around town and see over 230 historically restored homes and buildings. Tour out into the rolling hills and take in the scenic beauty. There are numerous quiet roads offering majestic views of the countryside and lakes. Most of the roads in this area are paved and friendly to cyclists. The Oak Ridges Moraine just north of town makes for some of the most exciting cycling anywhere, while the ride along Lakeshore Road to the west is breathtaking. Take a tour into the Village of Wesleyville past the old school and church. Cyclists are cautioned that most trails will involve hilly areas due to the natural terrain of this area. Cycling maps are available at the Port Hope Tourism Office.

It's tee off time! Port Hope offers golfers some great and diverse challenges. Welcome to the Port Hope Golf and Country Club at Penryn Park since 1859. Golfers of all skill levels can tee off from one of the most picturesque and challenging courses in Ontario. Beautifully situated on the bluffs overlooking Lake Ontario, this eighteen hole course takes the golfer through dramatic woodlands highlighted with streams and ponds. Tournament opportunities are offered for large or small groups. There are several other excellent courses just a short drive from Port Hope.