A Journey to Penetanguishene

I went hiking in the Georgian Bay area during the Victoria Day long weekend, passing through Awenda Provincial Park and the town of Penetanguishene. It was my second longest hike ever. I walked 56 kilometers during the two-day trip, though the flat terrain and unseasonably cool weather made it somewhat less arduous than I expected. This was one of my most memorable hikes due to the challenging distance and the fairly good variety in scenery.


Nathan and I drive to a small inn located a few kilometers outside of Penetanguishene. The inn is located on a secluded, quiet road nestled in the vast expanse of the Penetanguishene Peninsula forest. We head out on a bright, chilly morning and begin walking around Farlain Lake, a narrow, placid pool located just outside Awenda Park. Tall deciduous trees extend far into the distance. We walk along the paved road that encircles the lake, unfazed by the rain.


After a few hours, we arrive in Penetanguishene, a small town located on the shore of Georgian Bay. Originally a military base in the early 19th century, “Penetang” is now a peaceful community, boasting nearly 10,000 residents and a large, well-maintained harbor. Nathan and I walk through the vast, green Rotary Park, 40-hectare nature reserve that features the Georgian Bay shoreline, lush vegetation, and white sand beaches. Indeed, one of Pentenguishene’s best features is its proximity to unspoiled wilderness. The downtown core is located a few hundred meters from the waterfront, at the top of a hill, and includes the century-old St. Ann’s Church in addition to a mix of quaint and modern businesses.


Nathan and I walk back to the inn and nearly get lost at a fork in the road, though we successfully arrive at the inn before sundown. We drive to Midland, located a few kilometers to the south. Midland is somewhat larger than Penetanguishene and features more amenities, including a few generic suburban plazas; it also features a beautiful (though smaller and more industrialized) waterfront. We stop at a Greek restaurant, refuel, and rest at the harbor as the sun sets. By the time we drive back to the inn, it’s dark outside and dozens of stars are clearly visible. We’ve already hiked a great distance but have many more kilometers to go.


The next morning, we walk to Awenda, a large provincial park that extends from the forest just north of Penetanguishene to the shoreline of Georgian Bay. The south side of the park features tall, mature deciduous trees and several hiking trails with a considerable range in distance and challenge. Still, the real highlight is the beautiful coastline of Georgian Bay. Nathan and I walk along a paved, winding road for an hour until we arrive at the Bluff Trail, and enter the forest.


After walking through the forest for nearly two hours, we find ourselves near the edge of the Nippissing Bluffs, a 40-meter peak overlooking the clear, calm Georgian Bay. Nathan and I head downhill, past a thick cluster of trees, and suddenly find ourselves standing on the shoreline. The vast, blue Georgian Bay extends into the horizon. We see Giants’ Tomb, a small, mountainous, uninhabited island located a few kilometers into the lake. After walking along the jagged, rocky shoreline for an hour, we return to the main trail.


I start feeling the first signs of fatigue as we walk down a long, winding path that runs east towards the community of Sawlog Bay. It takes over an hour just to leave the park’s boundary. Unfortunately, Sawlog Bay is uninteresting and features little more than a long string of summer cottages. Eventually Nathan and I turn south onto Bush Road, a desolate dirt path winding through the forest. This trail is probably more barren and untouched than Awenda; there are no signs of human activity and vegetation interposes upon the twisted trail. Many animal sounds emanate from the forest. After walking for an hour through the woods, Bush Road connects with Champlain Road, the last stretch of our journey.


The final portion of the walk is difficult as Champlain Road ascends mercilessly. Exhausted and approaching the 50 kilometer mark, we slowly but relentlessly continue onwards, determined to make it back to the inn before sunset. Fuelled by runners’ high, we barely notice our second trip around the placid Farlain Lake and somehow manage to arrive back at the inn. We rest for an hour but spend the second consecutive night in Midland, eating & enjoying the waterfront.

Overall, this was one of the most interesting and challenging hikes I’ve taken. Many thanks to Dino, the inn’s owner, and his other guests (a couple from Innisfil) for insights about the best route to take, complementary hiking supplies, and many interesting conversations about hiking, travel and life.