The last trail we hiked during our fall camping trip was on the Wilderness Trail. At only 2.9 kilometres, the Wilderness Trail is the Pinery’s longest walking trail. Our hike took us through some of the parks’ oldest forest which started with a Red Pine forest and then lead us through a mixed Oak-Pine forest.

The trail was fairly flat and easy and we only saw one other couple along the way. As with most of the Pinery’s trails, there were an amazing array of mushrooms, including a ‘Fairy Ring’ of mushrooms!

Other than being the longest trail that visitors can hike at the Pinery, it’s also only one of two trails that lead to the beach along the shores of Lake Huron! The Cedar Trail also has an extension that takes hikers out to the beach at the other end of the park.

The Wilderness Trail, like all of the trails at the Pinery Provincial Park, is well-maintained and very scenic. We often find this to be one of the busiest trails since so many campers like to hike out to this particular beach. Taking the loop counter-clockwise is the fastest way to the beach, but keep in mind that the Pinery has a total of nine beaches! Every beach is of the same quality, with sand and shallow, warm water. The park also features two full dog beaches!