About the Ganaraska Forest

Ganaraska Forest Centre main entrance

Important Ganaraska Forest Information

  • Please refer to the Ganaraska Forest Trails Map for available trails, which represents Ganaraska Forest Trails only. Municipal roads are not part of the trail system.
  • Before you visit the Ganaraska Forest, please read the Ganaraska Forest Rules & Etiquette. The Ganaraska Forest is open from dawn until dusk each day.
Double track trail in the Ganaraska Forest

Explore the Ganaraska Forest

Come and experience southern Ontario's largest, contiguous forest. Located within an hour's drive of Toronto, straddling the Municipalities of Northumberland County, Peterborough County, City of Kawartha Lakes and Regional Municipality of Durham, the Ganaraska Forest offers the best in outdoor recreation.

Today, the Ganaraska Forest is a living example of how the principles of integrated resource management can be used to balance many different uses of forested lands on a sustainable and ecologically sound basis. The Forest is home to the Ganaraska Forest Outdoor Education Centre, which includes public washrooms and shower facilities for Forest users.

The Ganaraska Forest is a source of local, high-quality, sustainable wood products. By following Good Forestry Practices and sound silvicultural strategies, timber harvests are utilized to achieve the long-term goals of restoring and maintaining native, healthy forest stands in the Ganaraska Forest.

Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and nature appreciation are popular activities throughout the Forest. With hundreds of kilometres of trails, the Ganaraska Forest provides year-round opportunities for a variety of activities.

Motorized activities such as off-road motorcycle riding, ATVing and off-roading are permitted in the West Forest and East Forest only. Snowmobiling occurs on Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) opened trails only. The Central Forest is maintained as a passive use area and is where cross country ski and snowshoe trails are located.

A Day Pass or Forest Membership is required to enter the Ganaraska Forest and can be purchased from the GRCA Online Store. Day Passes are also available from the self-serve kiosk at the Ganaraska Forest Centre gatehouse, located in teh Central Ganaraska Forest.

The Ganaraska Forest hosts many special events and is a popular filming location.

Treetop Trekking Logo

Treetop Trekking

Treetop Trekking is an aerial park in the Central Ganaraska Forest.

While at the Ganaraska Forest, visit Treetop Trekking, who independently operate in the Central Forest.

For more information, call 905.797.2000. Special rates for school groups participating in Ganaraska Forest Centre Outdoor Education programs are available.