— Adventure
Fall adventure in Killarney

In collaboration with Ford Canada

Photography by Tiffany Chan & Danny Zhong
Embracing the quintessentially Canadian spirit of spending time outdoors, canoeing by the lake, and immersing oneself in the vibrant hues of a forest in its autumnal glory is what I eagerly anticipate each year. As fall unfurls, it's an exciting time to kick-start the season with a weekend at Killarney Provincial Park. Just a four-hour drive from Toronto, Killarney is a local gem celebrated for its hiking trails, canoe routes, and camping havens.

Capturing the essence of fall

Fall emerges as the crown jewel for visiting Ontario's provincial parks. This year, the leaves began their transformation earlier than usual. To make the most of this fleeting spectacle, look at Ontario's Fall Report for foliage updates and seize the autumnal magic before it disappears! Killarney generously offers accessible viewpoints, making basking in the warm kaleidoscope of colours effortless.

Cruising in comfort

The new 2020 Ford Explorer Platinum was a steadfast companion on this journey. With its seven-passenger capacity, it easily accommodated all my camping essentials. The PowerFold feature granted extra space at the push of a button, a valuable asset for any traveller. Among its impressive features — including the Lane-keeping system, rearview cameras, and blind-spot information system — the massage chairs and expansive moonroof stood out as personal favourites. The Ford Explorer embodied the spirit of adventure, ensuring a secure, confident, and comfortable drive throughout the experience.

Enchanted mornings

Start the day early by catching the sunrise at George Lake at 7 am. Early mornings have woven themselves into the fabric of my outdoor endeavours. The gentle light interplaying with the ethereal mist remains an endless fascination. This sight, unique to the early hours, graces the landscape for merely an hour before the sun's warmth dissipates the mist into the air.

Explore by canoe

Killarney Outfitters offers a gateway to aquatic exploration – canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards are at your disposal. Nestling in campsites near George Lake places you a stone's throw away from the canoe launch. An early start ensures ample time to bask in the panoramic vistas. Portage points dot the route, so pack smartly.

Learning to carry the canoe between portages is an art — flip it upside down and balance it over your shoulders. One person can handle the rest of the gear if you're portaging with a partner.

The epic Crack Trail hike

Killarney Outfitters offers a gateway to aquatic exploration – canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards are at your disposal. Nestling in campsites near George Lake places you a stone's throw away from the canoe launch. An early start ensures ample time to bask in the panoramic vistas. Portage points dot the route, so pack smartly. Enigmatic and enticing, the Crack Trail beckoned. Winding through a narrow passage between two rocks — named "The Crack" — the hike culminates in a panoramic vista that rewards the trek's challenges. A 4-hour journey, the trail's latter section involves a steep ascent and a touch of leisurely climbing. Sturdy footwear is a must!

The Crack Trail details:
Difficulty: Moderate (last section rated difficult)
Distance: 7.2 km (4-hour round trip)
Elevation gain: 259m

A midway adventure: Canoe + Hike (Optional): For the audacious souls, canoe and portage to the trail's midway point and finish with a 2-hour ascent to the summit.

Savouring the panorama

The mesmerizing panorama of the La Cloche mountain range awaits at the top of the Crack Trail! Stay till sunset; watch the skies ignite with fiery reds as the sun's rays dance upon the peaks — a feast for the eyes.

Tip: Ensure you're equipped with headlamps for the descent — it gets dark fast! A moonlit canoe ride through the dark became my unexpected yet enchanting journey back to the campsite.

Final thoughts

Killarney is a treasure trove in Ontario. From its crystalline lakes to fragrant pine forests and rugged quartzite cliffs, it's little wonder that the Group of Seven artists drew inspiration from this very landscape. Their masterpieces eloquently capture the breathtaking vistas that make Killarney an unmissable gem.

Tiffany Chan — Designer
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© Tiffany Chan 2023