Easy hikes and walks around Clarington

Wilmot Creek flows through the heart of the Orono Crown Lands, carrying both a rich natural ecosystem and a unique place in Canadian history. As the site of North America's first full-scale fish hatchery, established in 1866 by Samuel Wilmot, the creek played a pivotal role in early conservation efforts to restore Atlantic Salmon to Lake Ontario. Today, the clear, cold waters remain a destination for nature enthusiasts, particularly during the seasonal migrations of Rainbow Trout and Pacific Salmon. Winding beneath a canopy of mature forest, the creek offers a tranquil setting for those looking to witness the enduring legacy of one of Ontario's most significant heritage waterways.

The Orono Crown Lands offer a 633-acre natural escape on the site of a former provincial tree nursery. Located just west of Orono village, the area features 13 kilometers of well-marked trails that wind through mature evergreen forests and hardwood groves. The property is bisected by Wilmot Creek, one of Ontario’s premier cold-water streams, which draws a wide variety of wildlife to its clear waters.

Samuel Wilmot Nature Area is a protected natural space located along the north shore of Lake Ontario. The park features a mix of wetlands, shoreline habitat, meadows, and forest, creating an important refuge for birds and other wildlife. Several easy walking trails and boardwalks wind through the wetlands and along the lakeshore. The area also offers access to a small beach where visitors can enjoy views of Lake Ontario.

The Waterfront Trail is a mostly paved 3.7-kilometer path that connects King Street to Lake Ontario. It’s ideal for a scenic walk or run along the waterfront.

The Discovery Trail is the longer of the two trails through the Purple Woods and it travels through woodlands and open meadows. If you're here in the lead up to the annual Purple Woods Maple Syrup Festival that takes place each March, you may see trees being tapped for sap collection.

Purple Woods Conservation Area offers year-round hiking with sweeping southern views and connections to the Oak Ridges Trail. Visitors can enjoy short, accessible routes like the Sugar Shack and Discovery Walk trails, while spotting migratory songbirds in spring and fall, Monarch butterflies in summer, and vibrant foliage in autumn. Each March, the 41-acre site transforms into the hub of the Purple Woods Maple Syrup Festival, celebrating the area’s 150-year-old sugar maple forest. The festival highlights the evolution of syrup-making from Indigenous traditions to modern techniques, with maple products available for visitors to take home.

A rocky, quiet lakeside beach along Lake Ontario, it’s less developed than nearby beaches, which keeps it peaceful and ideal for a picnic or simply watching the waves. You can access it from the parking area of Courtice Shore Trail by taking a short side trail that leads to the water. You’ll find pebbles and driftwood, and you can walk along the shore and see the bluff formations, giving it a wild, coastal vibe.

The Courtice Shores Trail offers a brief, easy walk along the edge of Lake Ontario, providing stunning, expansive views of the water from above. I recommend visiting in the late afternoon to catch the incredible colours as the sun dips below the horizon. The path runs well back from the shoreline, but be aware that the bluffs drop steeply towards the lake; you will not have direct access to the water except for the beginning. As the trail is unshaded for its entire length, remember to apply sunscreen and wear a hat, especially during midday hikes.