Central Ontario Travel Guide

A land for all seasons

A story told round a smoky campfire at one of the many lodges in Algonquin Park is that the Almighty wanted to showcase a little bit of heaven here on Earth - and so created this sanctuary within the heart of Ontario.

It's an easy legend to believe. Ontario's oldest provincial park is a natural cathedral decorated with old-growth trees, sparkling waters, many species of wild animals and waterfowl, and a stillness that amplifies the rhythmic drumming of a heartbeat.

Canoeing, kayaking, hiking, cycling, fishing and sunbathing take up much of one's time during a summer visit, while cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sub-zero tenting are just some of the events enjoyed after the first snow of winter. That dusting of white powder also allows for the tracking of such indigenous animals as deer, moose, marten, fisher, otter, fox and wolves. The patient trekker is sometimes treated to not only tracks, but brief glimpses of the animals themselves.

Algonquin is only one of a dozen provincial parks within Central Ontario, and one of many attractions that can keep the outdoor enthusiast busy from January right through to December. The Muskoka area is known worldwide as cottage country, where every budget and taste is accommodated - from palatial full-service resorts to rustic lodges or self-catering cottages.

Boats, Trains and Santa's Sleigh

One of the highlights of a Muskoka visit is a lake cruise on the restored 19th century      R.M.S. Segwun, North America's oldest coal-operated steamship. And speaking of boats, visitors can get up close and personal with Georgian Bay's history, geology and wildlife aboard the spacious Island Queen, Canada's largest sightseeing cruise ship.

Houseboats are available for rent in the Kawarthas, and those with a highly adventurous soul can navigate them through the Trent-Severin Waterway.

Huntsville's Muskoka Heritage Place Steam Train and Pioneer  affords a return to the lifestyle of the 1800s, where the visitor can ride the Portage Flyer - a restored 1928 steamer. Not far away, a certain denizen of the North Pole makes his summer home at Santa's Village in Bracebridge. The young and the young at heart can see the jolly old fellow and his helpers getting ready for another December adventure.

Central Ontario Travels

Spelunking, downhill skiing, golfing, cycling and hiking are just a few of the adventures awaiting the visitor to Central Ontario:

• Blue Mountainon the shores of Georgian Bay is where the action is if you're looking to explore some exciting caves formed during the Ice Age thousands of years ago. During the winter period, some of the finest downhill skiing in Ontario is available here.
• The Pines of Georgia Golf Course has been described by Ontario Golf magazine, the leading source of golf information in the province, as one of Ontario's finest hidden gems.
• The Loop Trail is a 275-mile system that provides an opportunity for trail enthusiasts of every age and skill level to experience such pastimes as walking, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
• The Haliburton Forest Wildlife Reserve will have you literally dancing on air with a four-hour "Walk in the Clouds" - a suspended canvas walkway that ends atop a giant pine at this fabulous conservation area.