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Hike the Lakes Scavenger Hunt

hike the lakes 2024 Contest Winners

Congratulations to our 2024 winners!

The Hike the Lakes Scavenger Hunt will be taking a break this year, but don't wait on us! There’s still so much to explore!

Our beautiful trail network is open year-round, perfect for walking, hiking, and enjoying everything Muskoka Lakes has to offer.

Keep discovering, keep exploring, and keep hiking the lakes.

About

Hike the Lakes Scavenger Hunt is all about discovering the beauty in our own backyard. This self-guided hiking adventure invites you to get outside, explore local trails, and enjoy the natural spaces that make Muskoka Lakes so special.

How does it work?

boy scaning sign with phone

Explore the beautiful Township trails and enter for a chance to win one of ten $100 gift certificates to a local business of your choice.

Here’s how to participate:

  1. Visit a Participating Trail
    There are ten Township trails featuring Hike the Lakes contest signs. Plan your hike and visit any of these trails.
  2. Locate the Contest Sign
    While on the trail, look for the clearly marked contest sign.
  3. Scan the QR Code
    Use your smartphone to scan the QR code displayed on the sign. This will direct you to the contest entry form online.
  4. Complete and Submit the Entry Form
    Fill out the form to submit your entry for that specific trail. Each trail’s QR code allows one entry per participant. Visiting multiple trails means multiple entries, increasing your chances of winning.
  5. Winner Selection and Announcement
    At the conclusion of the contest, 10 winners will be selected at random. Winners will be announced on this webpage, our social media channels and contacted directly.

When?

  • Next contest: May 2026 

Where?

  • Township of Muskoka Lakes hiking trails (8)
  • Downtown Bala and Port Carling (2)

Muskoka Lakes Trails Information

Huckleberry Rock has been well known locally for over 100 years as a magnificent scenic lookout. Rocks on this trail are some of the oldest in the world, well over a billion years old. The effects of glaciation, timber harvesting, erosion and fire have removed the thin mantle of soil, exposing the surface of the pink granite rock.

Address: 1057 Milford Bay Rd, Bracebridge, ON

Details: 

The new lookout trail, known locally as Berry Mountain, was a long time hidden gem of Muskoka Lakes. Walker's Point Lookout is well known locally for its wonderful view of Lake Muskoka. This short 1km trail offers the best of Muskoka Lakes, highlighting rocks, trees and a great view of the water.

Address: Walker's Point Road, Walker's Point, ON

Details: 

The historic Hazelwood Trail once linked Port Carling to Port Sandfield. The trail is named after the Hazelwoods, a pioneer family who settled on Lake Rosseau. The Hazelwoods took this trail to Port Carling. The trail includes some moderate to steep climbs through mature hardwood forest. Towards the end of the route, the trail runs beside a large beaver pond, well known for its bird life!

Address: Hazelwood Road, Port Carling, ON

Details: 

The trail winds past the hatchery ponds, which have now been naturalized and along the river, which flows from Skeleton Lake. The trail passes by several habitats: meadows, deciduous forests, flood plain forests, river shorelines and wetlands. Skeleton Lake Trail also includes views of small waterfalls and rapids.

Address: Fish Hatchery Road, Utterson, ON

Details: 

 

The Raymond Trail follows the historic colonization route from the old Parry Sound Road to Skeleton Lake. The trail, with moderate hills, passes through field and forest. In places, you can still see the logs of the corduroy road, laid down to help settlers over the boggy sections.

Address: Skeleton Lake Road 1, Raymond, ON

Details: 

Water surrounds you on this trek through the picturesque town of Port Carling situated at the "hub of the lakes". This urban route offers many creative ways to enjoy a walk. Stop and view the Port Carling Mural as "The Wall Looks Back". If shopping suits your fancy visit the many shops all along the way. Enjoy! 

Address: Bailey Street, Port Carling, ON

Details: 

The Town of Bala consists of three islands interconnected by bridges over beautiful waterfalls. There is a spectacular view of the Moon River and the falls on this walk. These falls, the South Falls run with water from Lake Muskoka, Rosseau and Joseph funneling through Bala enroute to Georgian Bay. You can also enjoy a visit to the Lucy Maud Montgomery Museum. This is just a taste of the many historical sites that are along this self-guided walk of historic Bala. Come and enjoy the walk and a bit of Bala hospitality.

Address: 3070 Muskoka Road 169, Bala, ON

Details: 

There are several steep ups and downs along this 3.6km trail which leads you through hardwood forest, over creeks, and pass remnants of the first telephone line in the area.

Address: Highway 141, Bent River, ON

Details: 

Trails Map

Taste, Stay, Shop, and Play Muskoka Lakes

Our local businesses are the backbone of our community. Facing the latest economic challenges, now more than ever, it’s important to support and invest in these vital businesses that keep our community strong.

Visit the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of CommerceMuskoka Tourism or Explorers' Edge to find local attractions, and places to dine, stay and shop. 

Looking for a business? View the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce business directory

Contest Terms and Conditions

The contest is void where prohibited or restricted by-law. The Township of Muskoka Lakes reserves the right to cancel the contest or modify these rules at its discretion. In the event of a dispute regarding the winner, the Township of Muskoka Lakes reserves the right to award or not award the prize in its sole discretion. The Township of Muskoka Lakes reserves the right to disqualify any entrant whose entry or conduct appears in any way to: inhibit the enjoyment of others; tamper with the competition; violate these rules or other applicable law or regulation; infringe on the rights of third parties; or act in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Decisions of the Township of Muskoka Lakes are final and binding.

By participating in the Contest, the participant agrees to hold Harmless the Township of Muskoka Lakes and its employees, agents and representatives from any and all damages, injuries, claims, causes of action, or losses of any kind resulting from the participant's participation in this Contest. The participant also releases the Township and its employees, agents and representatives from any responsibility or liability for any damages, injuries, claims, causes of action, or losses of any kind the participant may incur or suffer arising in whole or in part from participation in this Contest.

This Contest is subject to all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations including but not limited to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56 ("MFIPPA"). These Rules are subject to change without notice in order to comply with any applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws or the policy of any other entity having jurisdiction over the Contest.

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