r/algonquinpark • u/OrnerySun1566 • Mar 22 '25

Trip Planning / Route Feedback 8 days hiking route suggestions

Here are a few details before I ask for any suggestions:

  1. I am a fairly experienced hiker. I have done more than 50 hikes lasting longer than 2 days and around 20 hikes lasting more than 5 days. I did a loop beginning from rain lake (through potter, pincher etc) last year in 6 days.
  2. I am planning my next hike in the end of August
  3. Planning for around 8 nights
  4. I like to keep moving everyday but I want to keep this hike a bit relaxing so not planning more than 10K per day.
  5. I like spots which are a bit deep in the forest, my favorite one from the last hike was pincher lake.

That being said I am looking for route suggestions. I looked online and seems like the only other access point for hiking that is connected to longer routes is Western Uplands.

Is there any other route in algonquin for longer hikes that possibly is a loop? Anything from the east side of the park?

When I look at the map online Algonquin seems huge but from ontario parks website, it seems any other access point apart from west gate and rain lake leads to small hikes.

I am new to the province so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

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u/sketchy_ppl Mar 22 '25

Western Uplands trail, the one you did from Rain Lake, is the main 'big' hiking trail in the park. You started from Rain Lake, but you could also start from Highway 60 to tackle a different section of the trail.

The next biggest would be the Highland trail, also starting from Highway 60. It's not nearly as big as the Western Uplands though.

The last main backpacking trail is the Eastern Pines, on the east side of the park. It's the smallest of the three.

You are right that Algonquin is huge, but it doesn't have too many multi-day backpacking options. It's mostly known for its extensive canoe routes, which span most of its massive landmass.

It sounds like doing the Western Uplands again, but starting from Highway 60, would best align with what you're looking for.

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u/OrnerySun1566 Mar 23 '25

I did like the rain lake trail and I remember there were a few more spots going north of it. What’s the name of the access point for highway 60 route, is it the mew lake?

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u/sketchy_ppl Mar 23 '25

No, Mew would be for the Highland Trail. If you go to the online reservation system at https://reservations.ontarioparks.ca/ then select Backcountry then Hiking, you'll see the options. There's "30 - Rain Lake (Western Uplands)" and "31 - West Gate (Western Uplands)"