Hike and Swim at Bon Echo

August 6 and 19

Come bask in the late summer beauty with ActiveDays’ first trip to this beautiful destination. Explore picturesque views, stunning cliffs and the beginning of the turn towards fall.

Bon Echo is a gorgeous Provincial Park with a rich history. Hosting one of the deepest lakes in Ontario, 3 beaches and over 20 kms of hiking trails this is sure to be a refreshing and fun adventure.

Our hike will take us through a variety of trails, including easy-to-moderate options.
The highlight of the hike will be the stunning views of Mazinaw Lake and Mazinaw Rock. The towering rock face is one of the park's most iconic features, rising 100 meters above the water and stretching for over a kilometer. We'll have the chance to snap some photos of this stunning natural wonder and take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

After our hike, we can head to one of the park's sandy beaches for a refreshing swim or a relaxing picnic on the shore. Bon Echo Provincial Park has two beaches, including the popular Sawmill Bay Beach, which offers shallow waters and a playground for the kids. Canoes, kayaks and SUP’s are available for rent on a First-Come, First-Served basis, reservations are not offered.

Our group will split in smaller groups and travel for part of the day by Ferry Across the lake to see the Pictographs and get dropped off at the CliffTop trail. This is a self-guided activity that includes 1 hour hike and return to the Ferry. The Cliff Top Trail is a 1.5-kilometer trek that rewards hikers with sweeping views of Mazinaw Lake and the park's iconic Mazinaw Rock. You can also get to the CliffTop trail by kayak if you decide to rent one.
Across the Mazinaw Rock face, vistors can find centuries old pictographs painted by Ojibwe first nations in one of the largest displays of this type of Art in Ontario.

THIS ACTIVEDAYS TRIP IS ORGANIZED BY THE ACTIVEDAYS COMMUNITY. SEE ALL ACTIVEDAYS TRIPS AND JOIN US VIA OUR FACEBOOK GROUP!

DAY SCHEDULE 

9:00am - Pick-up at 34 Asquith Ave close to Yonge and Bloor subway

12:00am - Arrive at Bon Echo Provincial Park

12:30am - 1:45pm - Short Group hike and break trailside (Lunch is not included. Please pack a lunch and water for yourself)

2:00pm - 6:30pm - Catch the Ferry Ride to Cliff Top Trail at 2pm, 3pm or 3:30pm* (*The cliff top hike is a self-guided activity) Alternatively, rent a canoe, kayaks to paddle around or get to the Cliff Top Trail. Rest at the beach at the end of the day.
Ferry ticket and rentals are additional cost.

7:00pm - Depart from the park

WHAT TO BRING

LUNCH! and snacks. Please make sure to bring something that you can eat on the side of the trail.

Water (at least 1.5L)

Hat, Bugspray, Sunscreen

Medications

Weather appropriate clothing- Please keep an eye on the weather and be prepared for a nice warm day or a slightly chilly rainy one, or both!

Good footwear for hiking

Camera

Bathing suit and Towel (optional) **Please Note: Parkbus and ActiveDays do not provide Life Guards. Swimming should be done at your own risk.

Whatever else you need to have fun on the trail :)

WHAT TO EXPECT WITH ACTIVEDAYS

To us, facilitating this event is about creating an environment that you can engage with in your own way. This is your experience and everyone has their own relationship with the outdoors and their bodies. We want to meet you where you are at — you can take part in the hike, or wander off on your own adventure.

Active Days is also a community. This is an inclusive space to meet new people, share stories and have fun! To us, there is no better place to get to know someone than the outdoors. We all share a desire to get out, explore and move.

ALL ACTIVEDAYS PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO SIGN A WAIVER. WE WILL SEND YOU A COPY VIA EMAIL. YOU CAN FIND A DIGITAL COPY OF A SAMPLE WAIVER HERE

Photographs and/or video may be taken at this event. By taking part in this event you grant the event organisers full rights to use the images resulting from the photography/video filming, and any reproductions or adaptations of the images for fundraising, publicity or other purposes to help achieve the group’s aims. This might include (but is not limited to), the right to use them in their printed and online publicity, social media, press releases and funding applications. If you do not wish to be photographed please inform an event organiser.