Easy hikes and walks around Clarington

This loop trail runs along the south west side of Orono Crown Lands for a little over 2 kilometres. This section of the loop runs parallel to the creek and along boardwalks until eventually looping back into the forest.

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.

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.

The trail leads around Bobolink Hill. This massive hill was created during the construction of the nuclear power plant on Lake Ontario. The power plant was built directly on limestone, the bedrock beneath the moraine, and the resulting excavated earth was piled up nearby to form a hill. Construction of the plant began in 1981. https://www.durhamregion.com/opinion/columnists/bobolink-hill-an-ideal-spot-for-bird-watching/article_29e43554-752b-5cd8-9d2b-424e830b7344.html