More than 118 kilometres of trails in Northumberland County Forest and the sandy beach at Presqu'ile Provincial Park make nature experiences a key part of trip planning. Northumberland County stretches from the sandy beaches on Lake Ontario to the rocky shores of Rice Lake, with rolling hills in between. It also offers rural experiences and the character of small towns.
Forest trails and routes in the county forest
Northumberland County Forest welcomes more than 100,000 visitors each year and has more than 118 km of trails. The same forest also has more than 45 km of hiking trails, including the eastern connection of the Oak Ridges Hiking Trail. The offerings also include three Universal Trails: the Carstairs Universal Trail, the Beagle Club Heritage Trail and the Porcupine Trail at Woodland Trailhead.
The Porcupine Universal Trail is a 1 km loop with a wide, smooth granular surface, information panels and rest benches. The Carstairs Universal Trail is 3.2 km long in total; its four possible loops range from 750 m to 2.2 km. Its slopes are gentle, and the trail surface is over 2 m wide.
The wider trail network in Ganaraska Forest
Ganaraska Forest stretches across Northumberland County, Peterborough County, the City of Kawartha Lakes and the Regional Municipality of Durham. This larger regional forest area offers year-round opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and nature observation on a trail network spanning several hundred kilometres.
For cross-country skiing, there are more than 35 km of signed and groomed trails, including tracked routes; there are also more than 10 km of marked snowshoe trails. You need a day pass or a forest membership to enter Ganaraska Forest. Both are available from the GRCA online store; day passes are also available at the self-service kiosk at the entrance to Ganaraska Forest Centre.
Presqu'ile: Beach, marsh and bird migration
Presqu'ile Provincial Park in Brighton has a 2.5 km sandy beach. Dogs are prohibited in the park at all times. A 1 km marsh boardwalk leads to the largest protected marsh on the north shore of Lake Ontario. This makes the beach and marshland distinct nature experiences side by side.
In spring and fall, the park is an important stopover for migratory birds. A total of 338 bird species have been recorded there, including 130 breeding species. These figures may change as further observations are made. If you choose your travel dates based on nature, this provides a specific seasonal indication of bird migration.
Culture and communities in the county
In Cobourg, Northumberland County opened the purpose-built Northumberland County Archives and Museum on September 18, 2026. It serves to preserve and share the region's history, records, artefacts and stories. Check with the museum for current visiting arrangements before your trip.
In the municipality of Port Hope, the grounds around Wesleyville Church and the schoolhouse, as well as the Wesleyville nature trail, are open to visitors. Port Hope also offers heritage tours of landmarks and places of interest on foot or by car. The Trent-Severn Waterway, a National Historic Site of Canada, runs through Northumberland County and connects neighbouring communities.
More regional ideas
In the wider region, the Kawarthas Northumberland Butter Tart Tour takes you to 13 bakeries offering butter tarts. Another way to explore the region is the 69 km Presqu'ile Promise cycling route. Its attractions include scenic landscapes, Colborne and Brighton, Ontario's Apple Route and Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
These options offer different travel-planning priorities: trails and designated loops in Northumberland County Forest, year-round activities including winter sports in Ganaraska Forest, or the beach, marsh and seasonal bird migration in Brighton. These differences can help you match your travel dates to your interests.
Discover more destinations: Cobourg, Roseneath, Campbellford, Port Hope, Brighton, Grafton, Gores Landing, Bewdley, Colborne
For the main travel overview: Ontario.
