A guide to single day canoe and hiking excursions in accessible parts of Ontario's Canadian Shield areas. Excursions are appropriate for novices, though alternatives for more experienced outdoor folk are suggested.

Who would have thought that dwarf cedar trees growing on the Niagara Escarpment could live to be nearly 2000 years old. Or that the small bonsai cedars lining the shorelines of the Canadian shield measure their ages in centuries. Old growth pine trees in Temagami are often over 10 stories tall, but these are young sprouts compared to trees of yesteryear, which were as much as 20 stories high. Ontario's old growth forests are fantastical and mysterious, but who knows where to find one. Most people in this province live within an hour's drive of an old growth forest, but do not know it. The ecology of these stands is engrossing. Fire scars on these trees, for example, provide an indisputable record of forest fire activity in Ontario. Small hemlock saplings, over 100 years old, have been growing at infinitesimal rates, waiting for a gap to open in the forest canopy.

A well-illustrated guide to 38 trips in and around Ontario's Georgian Bay, covering everything from hour-long strolls to multi-day paddling expeditions. Each trip includes access points, trip planning, maps and where to find out more.

Covering the idyllic cottage destinations of the Muskoka and Kawartha areas, the natural splendor of Algonquin Provincial Park, the bustling National Capital Area and all the way up to North Bay on Lake Nipissing in the north, this Mapbook is your ultimate guide to one of the country’s most popular outdoor recreation destinations. Known as the heart of Ontario’s outdoors, Cottage Country is home to thousands of scenic lakes and rivers, vibrant forests and rugged and rocky Canadian Shield. Algonquin Park, in particular, is one of the world’s most popular canoeing destinations, attracting people from far and wide to paddle, camp and fish among its iconic natural beauty. Features - Map Key & Legend - Topographic Maps - Detailed Adventure Section >> Backroad Attractions, Fishing Locations, Hunting Areas, Paddling Routes, Parks & Campsites, Trail Systems, ATV Routes,Snowmobile Areas, Wildlife Viewing, Winter Recreation, Service Directory, Accommodations, Sales & Services, Tours & Guides, Index, Adventure Index, Map Index, Trip Planning Tools,

Includes instruction in basic skills, choosing the right equipment, safety guidelines, and conditioning exercises.