Killarney Provincial Park – Hiking on Granit Ridge and Cranberry Bog trails

After our stay at Restoule Provincial Park in central Ontario, we continued westward. A few hours later, at the very end of Highway 637, we arrived at Killarney Provincial Park, on the north coast of Georgian Bay.

Killarney Provincial Park is undoubtedly one of the best-known and most iconic provincial parks in Ontario. Its pink granite cliffs, white quartzite hills and deep blue lakes inspired the artists of the famous Group of Seven, who fought to protect this territory.

Beyond its beautiful landscapes, Killarney Provincial Park is a particularly popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. It is home to a long-distance hiking trail (the 80-kilometre La Cloche Trail). It is also home to The Crack Trail, an 8-kilometre trail known for being one of the most beautiful and most difficult in the province.

Initially, we planned to hike The Crack (in fact, it was one of the main reasons why I wanted to visit Killarney).  Unfortunately, my partner had some health issues, which forced us to change our plans and opt for easier hikes. I eventually hiked the Granit Ridge and Cranberry Bog trails, which I’m giving you an overview of here.

Granit Ridge Trail

3-kilometre loop. I was disappointed that I couldn’t hike The Crack, but the Granit Ridge Trail offers an easier alternative that also allows you to appreciate the rugged terrain of the provincial park. The trail begins near the park’s reception office, on the other side of Highway 637.

From the very first metres, I was surprised to see that the trail seemed quite overgrown. We were following a wooden boardwalk that seemed almost completely covered by vegetation. In such a popular park, that surprised me.

Fortunately, the condition of the trail improved greatly after those first few metres. We found ourselves in a lovely mixed forest, where pines and spruces mingled. It was hard to believe that a farm had once operated here. The forest has now reclaimed the land, although it is possible to find a few traces of the past along the trail (including the remains of an old car).

After these relatively easy first few metres, the trail began to become rockier, and we started climbing toward the top of the rocky ridge that gives its name to the trail.

To reach the viewpoints along the trail, you have to take a detour and continue climbing over the pinkish granite surface. At the top of the rocky ridge, we were finally able to see the sparkling waters of Georgian Bay to the south. Then, a little farther on, we reached a viewpoint of the lands of Killarney Provincial Park and the La Cloche Mountains to the north.

We then retraced our steps to rejoin the main trail and continue our hike along the loop. Farther along, the trail offers another viewpoint of the La Cloche Mountains and their white quartzite cliffs. Perhaps one day, I’ll have the opportunity to return so that I can explore them.

The loop eventually brought us back to our starting point. It was a pleasant and very peaceful hike, as we didn’t encounter any other hikers.

Cranberry Bog Trail

4.7-kilometre loop. The Cranberry Bog Trail begins from the George Lake Campground. It was located near our campsite, so it was easy for us to access. As its name suggests, the trail leads to Cranberry Bog and highlights the impact of water and wetlands on the ecosystem of Killarney Provincial Park.

I had low expectations for this trail, but in the end, it was a huge favourite! The trail first begins gently through the forest, taking me past Proulx Marsh.

Then the trail became more rocky and rugged as I progressed. Nothing too difficult, but I really enjoyed being able to continue hiking along the park’s pink granite ridges.

I eventually arrived at the famous Cranberry Bog that gives the trail its name, and it took my breath away. The contrast between the pink of the rocks, the deep blue of the bog and the green of the conifers really felt like looking at a painting by one of the artists of the Group of Seven.

There were a few hikers who had decided to take a break on the rocks near the bog. And I completely understood them. I would have happily stayed too, to enjoy the view. But I still had energy and decided to continue my hike.

After leaving the shores of the bog, the trail returns to the forest. It crosses the La Cloche Trail, and a sign warns day hikers that this long-distance trail won’t bring them back to their starting point until after seven to ten days of hiking…

The trail then passes near A. Y. Jackson Lake, a lake named in honour of the painter who pressured the Ontario government to protect the Killarney territory. Thanks to him, the beauty of this territory will now be preserved for generations to come. It is therefore a fitting tribute that his name has also been immortalized here.

There was another good climb up a rocky escarpment, followed by a good descent that brought me back to the campground, my starting point.

Even though these weren’t quite the hikes I had planned to do in Killarney, I was still very charmed by the Granit Ridge and Cranberry Bog trails. It makes me want to come back even more one day!