Burnt Lands Provincial Park in Almonte: Trail Report

Burnt Lands Provincial Park in Almonte: Trail Report

Just another flat, boring, and short trail. But is it? What we foster curiousity in nature to open up opportunities for learning, connection, and well-being. What if we became citizen scientists, detectives, researchers?⁠ Immersed in each trail like turning the page of a mystery novel…⁠

Suggested Stops

It’s easy to recommend Almonte for shops and stops if you’d like to make this a day trip. In Carp there’s the Crooked Mile Brewing Company, Vodcow Distillery, Equator Coffee, Bob’s Bakery and all our favourite shops down Mill St. You can combine this hike with other trails like Gemmil Park, Almonte Lagoon, Mill of Kintail, and Blakeney Rapids.

Important Insights

What is an Alvar?⁠ Alvars “are globally rare, naturally open habitats with either a thin covering of soil or no soil over a base of limestone or dolostone. Their unique features are the result of seasonal extremes from spring and fall flooding to summer drought”. (sourced from @ncc_cnc)⁠ Why are they important?⁠ Alvars “can be among the most species-rich communities in the world. (…) Some plant, moss and lichen species are specifically adapted to alvar conditions and are found on no other habitat in the world. In fact, 54 plant species in Ontario were found mainly on alvar habitat.” (sourced from @ncc_cnc)⁠

About Ontario Parks⁠! There are over 330 provincial parks in Ontario. To learn more on each, along with rules and guidelines, check on ontarioparks.com before you go. A few quick tidbits sourced from @ontarioparks; 1. drones “cannot be taken into or operated in a provincial park without authorization from the park superintendent”⁠, 2. dogs are permitted on leash with restrictions⁠, and 3. in the winter months, skiing trails are available at Frontenac PP, Murphy’s Point PP, Voyageur PP, and Algonquin PP⁠. There are 28 provincial parks that offer snowshoeing (and rentals)⁠

Land Acknowledgement

These are the lands of the Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ and Omàmìwininìwag (Algonquin) people.⁠ It is important as avid hikers and stewards of the land, to acknowledge and understand the full story our surroundings along with the people that care for her, both past and present. As sourced from native-land.ca, if there are corrections please send to victoria@girlgonegood.com.

Land Management

This property is managed by the Ontario Parks.

GPS Coordinates

45.25564506424419, -76.15077642916025

Street Address

March Rd, Almonte, ON K0A 1A0

Directions

Take the 417W and exit at March Rd. Turn right on March Rd and you’ll notice the small trailhead sign and parking on the right side about 5kms before entering Almonte.

Parking

Small parking lot at trailhead.

Cell Reception

Yes

Washrooms

None. Follow Leave No Trace toileting guidelines

Accessibility

Yes (for a portion of the trail)

Trail Details

Entrance Fee

Hours of Operation

All seasons. Open dawn to dusk daily.

Trail Map

None.

Trailhead

Located at the parking lot.

Number of Trails

1

Total Distance (km)

2

Elevation Gain (m)

Cell Reception

Yes

Features

Ecological Significance

Activities

Hiking

Dogs

Permitted on-leash.

Trail Description

Popular local trail for dog walking. This is a 2km out and back straight, flat trail. No trail marking however the pathways is clearly defined. Avoid walking off trail in this ecologically significant and sensitive area. This park is classified as a Nature Reserve. There are a few points to this park that are interesting, mostly being that it is a fantastic spot to watch the sun set on a clear evening. There’s an abandoned out building along the pathway that is welded close for everyone’s safety. Further along the path, within the treed section, there are two small ponds to observe. Certainly a park that appears barren but is anything but with all-the-juniper-bushes, mosses, and wildflowers. Wildflowers include wild lady slipper orchids, seneca snakeroot, small skullcap, hairy beardtongue, red bearberry, upright bindweed, and more! There have been over 90 species of birds recorded at Burnt Lands Provincial Park.

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