Muskoka, Ontario's 'Cottage Country', is one of Canada's best-loved and most beautiful destinations. This adventure packs so many highlights into a single outing that it may just be the ultimate day tour.
We’ll start the day exploring Hardy Lake on a gentle 3.2 km loop trail. This hike introduces you to Muskoka’s distinct scenery, around gorgeous lakes, the iconic granite outcrops of the Canadian Shield and an environment unmistakably shaped by beaver activity. Along the way, you may just spot some of the beavers, otters and turtles who call Hardy Lake home, offering a true snapshot of Muskoka's wilderness.
After our hike, we'll drive into the charming town of Bala to experience a slower pace for a while. We'll relax, grab a gourmet lunch, or enjoy local ice cream together—a perfect opportunity to chat and recharge before the next adventure.
Our afternoon continues with a short hike up to a spectacular nearby viewpoint. The trail ascends steadily, offering an excellent reward at the top: clear views across the eponymous Lake Muskoka.
We’ll finish the day with a visit to the iconic town of Bracebridge, giving you the chance to wander, shop, or simply unwind before we head home. It’s built around a dramatic waterfall that cuts right through the downtown, and it's one of the few places in Ontario where you can walk from an independent coffee shop to a riverside lookout in under five minutes. It offers just enough to explore without feeling rushed, making it a perfect final stop to wind down before the drive home.
From forests and lakes to great food and panoramic views, this tour showcases the best Muskoka has to offer in just one day. Join us and experience it yourself.
Return Transport from Toronto
You'll ride in our comfortable air conditioned coach, with a TTC accessible pickup location.
Expert Guides
Our guides are the best in the business. Friendly, encouraging and brimming with qualifications. They'll keep you safe, teach you all about the environment and ensure you have fun as you do it.
We're hiking 2 easy, short trails both of which can be tackled by anybody in good health. Our first at Hardy Lake is a 3km trail, the second, is a short climb up to an impressive viewpoint at Huckleberry Rock. You will need either trail shoes or hiking boots for both trails - sneakers are not suitable!
07:50 – Those getting a ride meet up at the Petro‑Canada next to Keele Subway Station
08:00 – Shuttle leaves.
We leave dead on time and cannot wait for latecomers!
10:00 - Meet self-drivers at Hardy Lake Provincial Park.
Please note that self-drivers must be on time. If you're not at the designated meeting point at 10am we may not be able to wait for you.
10:00 - 12:00 - Hike the 3km Hardy Lake Trail
12:15 - 13:15 - Lunch and ice cream in Bala at Ice Dreams Soda Shop and The Smokin' Bird
13:30 - 14:30 - Climb Huckleberry Rock
15:00 - 16:00 - Visit Bracebridge (parking at Woodchester Public Parking)
16:00-19:00 - Return journey to Toronto
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
Bring a packed lunch, snacks and plenty of water.
Ticks - Black legged ticks are in the area. You should wear pants rather than shorts to prevent them latching on and lighter colours make it easier to spot them and keep you more cool. There's no need to worry about ticks if we take a few precautions and we'll talk about doing a tick check after the hike just to confirm we haven't picked any up. You can learn more here
Getting lost - Please stick with the group at all times and follow their instructions.
Heat stroke - It could be very hot so it's important you cover up appropriately and ensure that you're drinking plenty of water.
Hiking injuries - Wear appropriate footwear and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles. Any injuries? Let us know in advance of the hike.
Water danger - Stay away from fast moving water and only swim where guides have explicitly said is safe. Swimming is only allowed under supervision and if you can't swim, you should keep out of the water.
We like to share some of the indigenous background of the areas we visit because these territories have rich histories that are easy to overlook. Indigenous communities have a connection to and respect for the land that has largely been lost since European settlement. As we strive to form a deeper connection with the land, we have much to learn from these communities. I use the Native Land map to learn more about these areas and find that developing a richer understanding leads to a greater enjoyment of the adventures.
Bracebridge and the surrounding area is on the traditional territory of the Anishnaabe and Missisaugas.
Muskoka, Ontario's 'Cottage Country', is one of Canada's best-loved and most beautiful destinations. This adventure packs so many highlights into a single outing that it may just be the ultimate day tour.
We’ll start the day exploring Hardy Lake on a gentle 3.2 km loop trail. This hike introduces you to Muskoka’s distinct scenery, around gorgeous lakes, the iconic granite outcrops of the Canadian Shield and an environment unmistakably shaped by beaver activity. Along the way, you may just spot some of the beavers, otters and turtles who call Hardy Lake home, offering a true snapshot of Muskoka's wilderness.
After our hike, we'll drive into the charming town of Bala to experience a slower pace for a while. We'll relax, grab a gourmet lunch, or enjoy local ice cream together—a perfect opportunity to chat and recharge before the next adventure.
Our afternoon continues with a short hike up to a spectacular nearby viewpoint. The trail ascends steadily, offering an excellent reward at the top: clear views across the eponymous Lake Muskoka.
We’ll finish the day with a visit to the iconic town of Bracebridge, giving you the chance to wander, shop, or simply unwind before we head home. It’s built around a dramatic waterfall that cuts right through the downtown, and it's one of the few places in Ontario where you can walk from an independent coffee shop to a riverside lookout in under five minutes. It offers just enough to explore without feeling rushed, making it a perfect final stop to wind down before the drive home.
From forests and lakes to great food and panoramic views, this tour showcases the best Muskoka has to offer in just one day. Join us and experience it yourself.
Return Transport from Toronto
You'll ride in our comfortable air conditioned coach, with a TTC accessible pickup location.
Expert Guides
Our guides are the best in the business. Friendly, encouraging and brimming with qualifications. They'll keep you safe, teach you all about the environment and ensure you have fun as you do it.
We're hiking 2 easy, short trails both of which can be tackled by anybody in good health. Our first at Hardy Lake is a 3km trail, the second, is a short climb up to an impressive viewpoint at Huckleberry Rock. You will need either trail shoes or hiking boots for both trails - sneakers are not suitable!
07:50 – Those getting a ride meet up at the Petro‑Canada next to Keele Subway Station
08:00 – Shuttle leaves.
We leave dead on time and cannot wait for latecomers!
10:00 - Meet self-drivers at Hardy Lake Provincial Park.
Please note that self-drivers must be on time. If you're not at the designated meeting point at 10am we may not be able to wait for you.
10:00 - 12:00 - Hike the 3km Hardy Lake Trail
12:15 - 13:15 - Lunch and ice cream in Bala at Ice Dreams Soda Shop and The Smokin' Bird
13:30 - 14:30 - Climb Huckleberry Rock
15:00 - 16:00 - Visit Bracebridge (parking at Woodchester Public Parking)
16:00-19:00 - Return journey to Toronto
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
Bring a packed lunch, snacks and plenty of water.
Ticks - Black legged ticks are in the area. You should wear pants rather than shorts to prevent them latching on and lighter colours make it easier to spot them and keep you more cool. There's no need to worry about ticks if we take a few precautions and we'll talk about doing a tick check after the hike just to confirm we haven't picked any up. You can learn more here
Getting lost - Please stick with the group at all times and follow their instructions.
Heat stroke - It could be very hot so it's important you cover up appropriately and ensure that you're drinking plenty of water.
Hiking injuries - Wear appropriate footwear and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles. Any injuries? Let us know in advance of the hike.
Water danger - Stay away from fast moving water and only swim where guides have explicitly said is safe. Swimming is only allowed under supervision and if you can't swim, you should keep out of the water.
We like to share some of the indigenous background of the areas we visit because these territories have rich histories that are easy to overlook. Indigenous communities have a connection to and respect for the land that has largely been lost since European settlement. As we strive to form a deeper connection with the land, we have much to learn from these communities. I use the Native Land map to learn more about these areas and find that developing a richer understanding leads to a greater enjoyment of the adventures.
Bracebridge and the surrounding area is on the traditional territory of the Anishnaabe and Missisaugas.
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