There are two camps of people - those who have never heard of McCrae and those who think it's been ruined by those who have. If you like your wilderness experiences to feel wild, the winter may be the best time to visit as it returns to the peace it once enjoyed before AllTrails became a thing. Think massive vistas, pine fringed lakes and stunning trails along granite cliff edges.
The area is unquestionably a victim of its own success. McCrae is an incredibly beautiful patch of typical Canadian Shield wilderness that's the closest of its kind to Toronto. It's often erroneously considered 'Crown Land' thanks to the free camping opportunities there and it can no longer handle the amount of traffic it sees. In summer you'll find the car park full, camping spots taken and more than a bit of bad behaviour. Winter is a whole different story however and on a quiet hike along its snow covered trails you'll feel that every part of the magic has returned.
There's one main trail in the area, a 15km out and back. I typically avoid non-loop trails but this is one of the few I'll make an exception for because it really is that beautiful.
You can choose your own distance for this hike, depending on conditions, ambition and the kind of hike that you're looking for. An 4km out and back is a very popular option that allows you to take in many of the highlights with a turnaround about 2km in at the Eagles Nest lookout. This is one of the more spectacular locations you'll find in this part of Ontario and a rich pay off for working your way through the snow. You're gifted a wide open view over the eponymous lake and if you squint, you'll see the open waters that extend into Georgian Bay. There's a decent spot up there to start a campfire and warm yourself or, if it's not too cold, pause for lunch.
If you fancy more of a challenge, you can continue the trail all the way to the end of the trail, 7km in, finishing at some rather underwhelming rapids before turning back the way you came. The whole area is blazed well and, if there's good snow coverage you can go off-trail guilt free to discover some smaller, gorgeous lakes.
If you find yourself with extra time, it's worth checking out a couple of extra points of interest shared on our geo-referenced map. There's just a short walk to another beautiful lake from the carpark and a slightly longer trip along the trail marked in blue will take you to a much more impressive set of rapids.
N.B. This parking lot sometimes gets full and they'll tow cars parked illegally so make sure you read the parking restrictions. If the road is icy, we may park the van at the overflow car parking here.
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 you’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.
GPX download
File DownloadWinter clothing
The key for winter hiking is to have breathable layers that allow you to adjust your temperature as you start to heat up or cool down. The biggest problem you're likely to encounter is actually getting too hot - the amount of exercise you're doing means you'll warm up quickly and it's important that you vent your clothes before you start sweating because that will only make you colder once you stop.
Pay attention to your fabrics - there's a saying that cotton kills because it keeps moisture and makes you colder. Instead, go for breathable fabrics, like athletic wear or wool. Wool has the advantage of keeping you warm when it's wet but cheap polyester running gear is just fine. We've put together a simple guide to layering on our instagram.
A common mistake is to bring your heavy winter coat that you'd wear in the city - this will become very uncomfortable very quickly. If you'd like advice on what coat is suitable, we'll give you recommendations no matter your budget.
Shoes
You should be switching to proper hiking boots once the snow has started. If the snow is really deep, you can wear a proper winter boot that goes above the ankle but this isn't essential, especially if you have gaiters. These go over your shoe to prevent snow coming in. Trainers and city boots are really not suitable because they won't have sufficient grip.
There's a good chance your feet are going to get wet, either through snow ingress or sweat so you should always pack a spare pair of socks when winter hiking.
Traction
You're going to find that you move more slowly and spend more effort hiking in the snow so we tend to hike shorter distances. From first snowfall you should always bring ice spikes with you. The Kahtoola Exospikes are a great option if you have the budget, otherwise Amazon has plenty of cheaper options. You rarely need snowshoes unless the snow is really deep and powdery and hiking with them usually requires even more energy.
Winter Hiking packing list
Hiking injuries - Wear appropriate footwear, ice spikes and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles.
Ice - The ice may be thin so keep off any bodies of water unless you have tested the depth and know for sure that it's capable of supporting your weight.
Cold exposure - Ensure that you've brought the clothing outlined above so you're comfortable.
Getting lost - While there is cell phone reception in much of the area, you should be careful if veering off trail and download a map to your phone in advance.
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.
McCrae Lake and the surrounding area is on the traditional territory of the Huron Wendat, Anishnabek and Mississauga Nations