Exploring the Laurier Woods Conservation Area in North Bay

As I mentioned in my last article, we took advantage of our recent road trip to northeastern Ontario to stop in North Bay and explore a few trails there. On the way there, we stopped at Duschenay Falls. On the way back, we decided to explore the Laurier Woods Conservation Area.

I’ve always had a soft spot for Ontario’s conservation areas. Often much less well known than provincial parks, these areas protect green spaces, some of which are located in urban settings. The Laurier Woods Conservation Area protects a wetland right in the heart of North Bay.

There are nearly 10 kilometres of hiking trails. To access them, you have to go all the way to the end of Brule Street, and pass through what looks like an industrial neighbourhood. We thought at first the area looked a bit sketchy, but once on the trail, I was quickly reassured that this would be a pretty hike.

The Laurier Woods Conservation Area protects a 250-acre green space that includes various ecosystems, including a wetland, rocky escarpments and upland forest. The trail I was on took me through this mixed forest.

The trail quickly led me to a boardwalk along which there was a viewpoint overlooking a pond. It was apparently created by a beaver dam. A few city buildings can be seen on the other side, but the place was still peaceful.

I continued my hike, following the main trail, which took me through another wooded area. The trail was mostly flat and easy to follow. Apparently, several bird species can be found in the area, and it is also an important stopover for migratory birds.

The trail eventually led me to the Haist Lookout. Located at the top of a rocky outcrop, the lookout offers a view of a wetland. It also reminded me that even though the trail had been flat so far, the forest has a few steep areas.

I then decided to leave the main trail to follow the purple trail and continue exploring the conservation area. The purple trail passes over other boardwalks, bordered by cattails and other aquatic plants.

It eventually brought me back to the main trail, where I came across a lovely spot along the shore of Arum Pond. It could have been a nice place to take a break, but on the other side of the pond, heavy machinery was operating, reminding me that I was still in the city.

I then made my way back to my starting point, completing my hike after covering a little over 3 kilometres. It was another great discovery in North Bay, and I’m already looking forward to returning to northeastern Ontario to explore more trails!