7 Breathtaking Mountains in Ontario

Believe it or not, there are mountains in Ontario. Ontario’s mountains are the remains of the Canadian Shield, the worn-down leftovers of the oldest—and once the tallest—mountains on the planet. As a result of eons of erosion, mountains in Ontario are rounded and undulating, without the dramatic serrated summits of the Canadian Rockies or the Himalaya. It goes without saying that the largest mountains in Ontario have a mere fraction of the elevation of alpine summits elsewhere—but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth exploring. So grab your hiking boots, mountain bike, skis or canoe, and use your imagination to see evidence of the former cloud-raking glory of Ontario mountains.

Our list of Ontario mountains focuses on Northern Ontario (with a notable outlier). Spend any time up here and you’ll no doubt come up with a definitive answer to the question, does Ontario have any mountains? Absolutely!

Check out this short list of Ontario’s tallest peaks, including year-round adventures for all outdoor enthusiasts—from hiking to skiing, canoeing and mountain biking.

La Cloche Mountains

Of all the mountains in Ontario, this range rising out of the crystalline waters of Georgian Bay, about an hour’s drive from Sudbury in Killarney Provincial Park, is perhaps the most spectacular. The La Cloche Mountain Range is defined by its unique quartzite geology, which imparts a glistening white sparkle to the bare summits of Silver Peak and the Crack, both of which are accessed via challenging hiking trails off of Highway 637, near the George Lake Campground.

Killarney is also one of Ontario’s most popular backcountry canoeing destinations and lucky paddlers can reserve a campsite on OSA Lake, which is surrounded by the austere La Cloche hills. Killarney inspired some of Canada’s greatest landscape paintings. The area around Grace and Nellie lakes, part of a long-weekend canoe route starting just off of Highway 6, is particularly iconic.

• Rent a canoe from Killarney Outfitters or Killarney Canoes. Both also offer insider tips to the area’s best hiking trails.
• No car? No problem! The Park Bus offers regular trips to Killarney.
• Killarney’s George Lake Campground is open year-round, with great opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing and unique winter scenery in the La Cloche hills.

Algoma Highlands

The wild terrain just north of Sault Ste. Marie represents some of the world’s oldest mountain ranges. Spend some time exploring these magnificent highlands if you’ve asked the question, where are the mountains in Ontario? The Algoma Highlands is an all-seasons playground that offers great opportunities for mountain biking, cross-country and backcountry skiing, hiking, trail-running and canoeing.

• Get a taste for the area by riding the Sault Cycling Club mountain bike trails or exquisitely groomed cross-country ski trails at the Hiawatha Highlands, just north of downtown Sault Ste. Marie.
• Goulais River-based Bellevue Valley Lodge offers Ontario’s finest backcountry skiing, in the heart of the Algoma Highlands. Prefer groomers? Check out Searchmont Resort for some of the highest vertical downhill ski runs in Ontario.
• Stokely Creek Lodge routinely ranks among North America’s best places to cross-country ski. The Scandinavian-style resort maintains over 100 km of wilderness trails through breathtaking highlands scenery.
• Norm’s Cabin is a unique backcountry retreat in the Algoma Highlands Conservancy, available for rent year-round. You can paddle hilltop lakes and trek to King Mountain, one of the highest peaks in the area.
• Robertson Cliffs is a heart-pounding 5-km hike on the Voyageur Trail, providing a bare-rock lookout upon the Algoma Highlands. Go guided with Forest the Canoe.

Maple Mountain

Wondering what is the largest mountain in Ontario? The answer is Ishpatina Ridge, a remote shoulder of highlands towering 660 metres above sea level in the northwestern corner of Ontario’s Temagami region. Ishpatina is stunning to view from the remote Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park, but the hike to the summit is underwhelming compared to the trek to other Ontario mountains.

Located just to the east, Maple Mountain offers superior views and a more gradual climb on a well-established, 3-kilometre (one-way) trail from Tupper Lake. It’s a popular day hiking destination for wilderness paddlers looking to stretch their legs on a climb to the rooftop of Ontario.

• Plan a backcountry canoe trip to Maple Mountain with the assistance of a local outfitter like Smoothwater Outfitters or Temagami Outfitting Company. (These great outfitters can help you out with a canoe trip to Ishpatina Ridge, too).
• Get an aerial view of Maple Mountain on a custom sightseeing flight with Lakeland Airways.
• Maple Mountain features an abandoned fire tower, part of a network of structures across northern Ontario. You can get a closer glimpse of a restored fire tower in the town of Temagami, located just east of Highway 11 on Caribou Mountain.

Sleeping Giant

Are there any mountains to climb in Ontario? From rock and ice climbing to hiking, the Thunder Bay area of Northwestern Ontario has plenty! Sleeping Giant is a case in point. This monolithic landform sets an iconic backdrop for the city of Thunder Bay. Great hiking trails are accessed via Highway 587 and the community of Silver Islet. It’s an epic full-day hike to the top of the Giant, where you’ll experience some of the best views in Ontario.

• There are plenty of hiking options in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. Book a campsite at the Marie Louise Lake campground or reserve a cabin at Beyond the Giant Nature Retreat. You’ll find hiking options for everyone from families to long-distance trekkers.
• Visit the Sleeping Giant in winter for the epic Sleeping Giant Loppet, Ontario’s finest cross-country ski marathon.
• Marvel at watery views of the Sleeping Giant on a sailing tour with Sail Superior.
• Get a taste of the Sleeping Giant in the form of a local craft beer from Sleeping Giant Brewing Company in Thunder Bay.

Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains represent a younger geological era, featuring the weathered limestone formations of the Niagara Escarpment, near Collingwood. Located an easy drive from the GTA, it’s no surprise that “Blue” is Ontario’s premier mountain resort.

Come for the great downhill skiing and nightlife, as well as outstanding cross-country skiing and mountaintop ice skating. In the summer months Blue Mountain offers some of Ontario’s finest cross-country mountain biking and gravel riding on quiet backroads.

• Discover 27 km of nordic ski trails at Scenic Caves; snowshoeing is also available.
• Hike the Bruce Trail in the Collingwood area, part of the Niagara Escarpment UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
• Collingwood features outstanding dining options, including the Tremont Cafe, Fish and Sips, Brunello’s and many more.
• There are even more ways to experience Blue Mountain: speed downhill on the Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster, roll past escarpment views on a Segway tour, or soak adventure-weary muscles at Scandinave Spa.

Algonquin Highlands

Ontario’s most popular backcountry destination is part of a larger landmass known as the Algonquin Highlands, an immense area of ancient hills and pristine lakes that give rise to many beautiful waterways. It’s no wonder that Algonquin Provincial Park is a canoeing dreamscape, with countless routes for all levels of paddlers.

But the area also boasts great mountain biking, hiking and backpacking, as well as cross-country and backcountry skiing during the winter months—all thanks to some of Ontario’s best mountains.

• Get local knowledge from the Algonquin Park Visitor Centre or Algonquin Outfitters, both located along the Highway 60 corridor. You’ll want to book a campsite and any rental gear (such as canoes or kayaks) early to avoid disappointment.
• Looking for a day hike? You’ll find several great options to see the Algonquin Highlands for yourself along the Highway 60 corridor, including the Track and Tower trail. In the winter months, Algonquin maintains two networks of cross-country ski trails.
• The Minnesing Mountain Bike Trail offers challenging riding for mountain bikers; for a family-friendly ride check out the Old Railway Bike Trail departing from Mew Lake campground. Bike rental is available from Algonquin Outfitters’ Lake of Two Rivers store, or join a guided 3-hour mountain bike tour with Algonquin Adventure Tours.

Laurentian Mountains

Quebec’s well-known Laurentian Mountains nudge into Ontario along the scenic drive down Highway 17 from North Bay to Ottawa. The town of Mattawa is your gateway to this ancient mountain range, with adventure options for all seasons of the year.

• Mattawa’s Antoine Mountain offers Ontario’s longest downhill ski run, extending 2.9 km. Antoine is a small-town ski hill with big runs, short lift lines and a friendly vibe.
• The Laurentians cradle the whitewater rapids and falls of the historic Mattawa River. Get set up for a self-guided Mattawa canoe day trip with Algonquin North Outfitters. Stay at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park or the Canadian Ecology Centre.
• Enjoy a unique off-grid retreat at Nature’s Harmony, featuring yurts and other cool, casual and sustainable types of year-round accommodations.
• Mattawa is the jumping-off point for the Voyageur Multi-use Trail System. This long-distance network of well-marked backcountry routes radiates into the Laurentian Hills; it’s perfect for mountain bikers, horseback riders and winter enthusiasts.

Discover Ontario’s Diverse Mountains for Yourself

Who’s to say there aren’t any mountains in Ontario? Look north to find ancient highlands and unique outdoor experiences in all seasons of the year.

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