Mono Cliffs Provincial Park
Years ago, Mono Cliffs Provincial Park was one of the first places I ever went for a photo hike so it seemed only natural that I return as I start my journey back from my leg injury. Located just 80 minutes north of Toronto or 20 minutes from Orangeville this park is great for an escape from the city and gives so many options for trails and lookouts. While this park doesn’t allow camping, it is great for hikers, cyclists and even horseback riders. During our visit we saw people of all ages and fitness groups on the trails and even a few strollers being pushed along some of the easier stretches.
The numerous loops and side trails makes for countless routes and distances. The park is fairly well marked so even if you do manage to get yourself turned around on the paths, you should be able to right yourself by using the maps that are posted at the major trail intersections. The elevation of the park is fairly even but there are some sections where you’ll be going up or down some big hills. The effort is worth it though as you’ll have a great view of the escarpment and on a clear day you can even see the downtown Toronto skyline on the horizon.
Depending on your route there are two parking lots available. The main one is off 3rd Line E.H.S at the eastern boundary of the park. The machine only takes coins and it currently costs $11 for a full day’s permit. There are toilets available at this location too. The other option seems to be off 2nd Line heading north off Mono Center Road. It also seems to be a popular place to park because as we hiked towards the lot the number of people on the trail grew exponentially.
If you are looking to escape for the day, Mono Cliffs Provincial Park should definitely be up for consideration. Viewing the city from a hilltop so far away just makes you appreciate even more what we have available to us in Southern Ontario.
[nggallery id=1]Additional Resources:
http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/mono.html
