The best walks and hikes around South Huron

Pinery Provincial Park protects one of the largest remaining oak savanna ecosystems in North America, along with freshwater coastal dunes, forests, wetlands, and more than 10 kilometres of beautiful, sandy Lake Huron shoreline. The park’s diverse landscapes support an impressive variety of plant and animal life, including many rare and endangered species, making it one of Ontario’s most ecologically significant protected areas. The park is very popular for its beaches and extensive trail network, and if you’re lucky enough to be here in the evening, you’re in for a treat, as the park is ranked as one of the top ten best places in the world to watch the sunset by National Geographic.

Savanna Bike Trail is a 14-kilometre cycling route that loops through Pinery Provincial Park, connecting major hubs including the park store and the visitor centre. The trail passes through a mix of beautiful oak savanna, forest, along the Old Ausable Channel and the park’s road network. It’s an easy, flat route that’s ideal for exploring the park’s core landscapes in a single continuous loop.

The Old Ausable Channel is a remnant of the historic Ausable River that was cut off from the main river in 1875 when a new channel was created to improve drainage into Lake Huron. Today, this beautiful, calm, narrow waterway winds through Pinery Provincial Park, supporting one of the most biologically diverse freshwater ecosystems in Canada, including numerous rare fish, reptiles, and aquatic plants. This is a great spot to stop, appreciate its beauty, and watch for Great blue herons who may be quietly hunting along its sheltered banks.

The Wilderness Trail is a well-marked loop trail that visits the beach halfway through. The trail passes primarily through the woods, so it stays pretty shaded. Stay on the trail, as in summer, poison ivy grows in some parts of the woods.

The Beach Lookout at the end of the Wilderness Trail is a wooden boardwalk with an observation area with seating but no shade. There is a long set of stairs that descends to a golden sandy beach where beachgoers can be seen dotting the sand in summer, enjoying the clear water of Lake Huron.

The Wilderness Trailhead is a humble dirt lot with room for quite a few cars. There are no restrooms here, but down the road near Pinery Provincial Park Dog Beach Areas 1 and 2 there are restrooms and even more parking.

Morrison Lake is a quiet, tree-lined reservoir with still water and an untouched shoreline. There is a lovely bench here, perfect for a place to relax and watch for herons, turtles, and the occasional splash of fish. The lake is surrounded by forest and wetland, and with no beach or boat traffic, it’s just a peaceful place to sit and take in the view.

The South Huron Trail is a fantastic multi-use route that winds for roughly eight kilometres through the Ausable River Valley, connecting Morrison Dam Conservation Area with MacNaughton Park in Exeter. The trail follows both sides of the river, crossing via Jones Bridge and looping through mixed forest, pine plantations, wetlands, and open farmland. Within Morrison Dam, the trail runs along the north side of the reservoir, offering peaceful views and interpretive signage along the way. The surface is mostly crushed gravel and compacted soil, with gentle grades and several access points, making it an ideal route for hikers and cyclists to enjoy this beautiful area.