Get off the beaten path

It's fun and easy on snowshoes

Modern designs and materials have made it easier for you to try snowshoeing. 

In the backcountry normally we encourage people to stick to well established trails. By following this most basic Leave No Trace principal, we can all do our part to lessen our impact on the environment.

However, the winter snow combined with a pair of snowshoes opens up great opportunity to throw some caution to the wind and get off the trails. With a good base of snow for protection, you can spend more of your time enjoying all that fresh powder and less time worrying about damaging the delicate ecosystem below. Getting off the beaten path opens up a whole new world and can give you a glimpse of some incredible vistas you may not have seen from the trail.

Snowshoeing-off-the-beaten-track-in-woods-Treks-in-the-Wild
Exploring the backwoods

Want to get in touch with your hunter-gatherer past? Try your hand at tracking. It is a skill that was crucial to the survival of our ancestors and it's easy peasy on snowshoes. White-tail deer, snowshoe hare, and fox are all very common and easy to identify tracks you might find.

White-tailed deer track
White-tailed deer track 

Why not strap on the snowshoes and get off the beaten path on your next adventure. It's just one of the many reasons to love snowshoeing.

About Andy Tonkin

Andy is a backcountry guide and the owner of Treks in the Wild, a wilderness adventure company based Ontario.  Growing up in Northern Ontario instilled his love of nature and the outdoors. He is an avid rock climber, mountain biker paddler and snowshoer.  He currently resides in Brantford with his wife and two sons.

Recommended Articles

2026 Triathalons

Swim, cycle and run your way to triathlete status at these Ontario events.

March Break in Ontario

Discover the best camps, activities and adventures for 2026.

Crown Land Camping

What it is and where you can camp in Ontario.

Natural Highs

7 magnificent mountains in Ontario to climb, hike, ride, ski and more.

Ontario Trail Races 2026

Find out where to test your limits and get out in the woods.

Backpacking Trails in Ontario

7 multiday hiking trips to the province’s most beautiful places.

Ontario's Best Family Resorts

Your trip planning starts here.

Top of the Giant Trail

Get tips on this amazing hike at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.

9 of the Most Beautiful Fall Destinations

And they’re all in Ontario.

Insider’s Guide to Sleeping Giant

Everything you need to plan a trip to this iconic provincial park.

The Best Camping in Ontario

25 of the best car camping and backcountry destinations.

Best Places to Glamp in Ontario

No roughing it here.

Tips for 2026 Camping Reservations

Use these best practices to get the sites you want, when you want them.

Dog-Friendly Campgrounds in Ontario

11 places where Fido can join in the fun.

Tom Thomson Self-Guided Tour

Visit these places in Algonquin Park to learn more about the famed painter.

Maple Syrup Festivals in Ontario

Celebrate spring in the most delicious way possible.

11 Jaw-Droppingly Beautiful Landscapes

Don't miss the splendours of Northern Ontario.

Your Outdoor Adventure Vacation Starts Here

10 best activities in Lake Superior Provincial Park.

Adventure Races Ontario

Find out where to go and why you’ll love it.

Guide to Grundy Lake Provincial Park

Find out how to plan a backcountry or frontcountry camping trip to this incredible park in Northern Muskoka.