The Cliff Top Trail- A 1.5 km Hike in Bon Echo Provincial Park

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This summer, we took our toddler daughter camping at Bon Echo and had the best time! For the most part we kept things low key, just playing at the beach or hanging out at our site. But we did take the time to check out the Cliff Top Trail. It’s a really unique hiking trail that has great views, a LOT of stairs, and the unique challenge of needing to paddle out to it first.

The trail is only 1.5 km out and back, so while it’s challenging in spots, it’s definitely doable.

Getting There

The Cliff Top Trail is on top of the Mazinaw Rock in Bon Echo Park. You can use these coordinates to get to the park: 44.897094, -77.210687.

You can either paddle out to the trailhead, or take the ferry run by the park. Honestly, the distance between the two shores is so short you could probably swim there too, but that would be tricky when it comes to shoes and clothing.

There are a few different boat launches in the park, but we chose to use the launch in the lagoon. The park rents out kayaks and canoes in this spot, so if you didn’t have your own this is where you’d be leaving from.

Paddling to the trailhead was really easy. It was less than 500 metres from shoreline to shoreline. And at the trailhead there was a big dock that we could spot as soon as we left the lagoon.

We paddled up to the dock, and managed to get out of our kayaks without tipping. Then we pulled them up onto the shoreline because the dock said you couldn’t tie your boat to it.

About the Trail

-There was a toilet near the beginning of the trail.

-There were 3 lookouts along the way with beautiful views of the lake.

-Very rocky in spots. Bring good footwear!

-No trail markers along the route, but there are numbered signs. The trail ends at #9.

-The trail is so well traveled that it’s really easy to follow. Plus you can just look for the next set of stairs!

-Most of the steep climbing is done via the stairs so if you just take your time it’s not too strenuous.

-The stairs were made of metal grates. They were very sturdy, but in some spots high about the forest floor so anyone with a fear of heights might not enjoy them.

-A set of hiking poles might be helpful for anyone who likes a little extra help through the rocky sections.

Trail Thoughts

The Cliff Top Trail was a fun little trail to take our daughter on. Despite how rocky and uphill it was, she had a great time. It actually tuckered her out so much that she fell asleep on the way back, in classic toddler fashion. There was a bench at the first lookout that we stopped at on the way back to let her sleep a little longer. This would make a nice spot to have lunch and look out over the lake.

The views on the Cliff Top Trail, combined with the uniqueness of having to paddle out to it, definitely makes this a fun adventure for anyone who wants to start testing themselves in small ways.

I hope this trip report has enough info to get you there too. Let me know in the comments, or share and tag a friend to start planning your next adventure!

Map and Elevation Gain

Whenever I’m hiking somewhere new, I tend to wonder about who was on, and who took care of that land before me. I’ve enjoyed using this website as a place to start learning more about the indigenous people whose land I’m on: Native-land.ca.

Gear We Brought

• Kayak
• Paddle
• Lifejackets (Adult and kiddo)
• Bathing Suits
• Bailing Bucket
• Nalgene
• Toddler Hydroflask
• Dry Bag (to carry clothes, shoes, socks, phones…)
• Running Shoes (trail is rocky!)
• Pikalayers Adventure Shirt (UPF protection)+ Toddler Hiking/Water Sandals
• Sunday Afternoons Sun Hat (Sean’s)

…I think that’s it, it was a pretty short trail!