Cliff Lake Ridge

Length: 7 km loop.
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging. Some rocky portions where scrambling is required.
Access: 5 minute drive to boat launch, 4.5 km paddle, 500 m portage, 1.75 km paddle to trailhead. 
Time commitment: 6+ hours. If you want to hike the whole loop, you should leave early in the morning!

A somewhat involved day trip, involving a paddle, portage, and more paddling to reach the trailhead. In our opinion, it's definitely worth the effort - in fact, it's Johanna's favourite hike in all of Temagami. The Cliff Lake Ridge is the star of the Cliff Lake Conservation Reserve. On this hike you'll ascend the west side of the ridge, from a cool wetland, dominated by ferns and cedar, into a classic boreal landscape of spongey mosses, aromatic spruces, and lanky red, white, and jack pines. The trail  loops around the top of the ridge, but depending on timing, you may simply hike a few kilometres, have lunch, and backtrack. Regardless of how far you get, the views are lovely and the forest somewhat magical.

Length: 7 km loop.

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging. Some rocky portions where scrambling is required.

Access: 5 minute drive to boat launch, 4.5 km paddle, 500 m portage, 1.75 km paddle to trailhead. 

Time commitment: 6+ hours. If you want to hike the whole loop, you should leave early in the morning!