Cliff Top Trail in Bon Echo: How to Hike It + What to Expect

The must do Cliff Top Trail hike in Bon Echo Provincial Park delivers some of the best views in Ontario from the top of 100-metre high Mazinaw Rock. It’s an unusual hike in that it’s accessible only by canoe or a seasonal ferry ride. The trail visits three panoramic lookouts along its short length. It’s family-friendly and a perfect way to spend a few hours in the park.

In this post I’ve covered off everything you need to know to hike the Cliff Top Trail – including getting to the trailhead, what to expect on the hike and even the best time to go for photographs.

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Paddlers beneath the Cliff Top Trail in Bon Echo Provincial Park

Overview of the Cliff Top Trail in Bon Echo

Why this trail is so popular

The Cliff Top trail in Bon Echo Provincial Park owes its popularity to a few factors. Bon Echo is one of the busiest provincial parks in Ontario for one. Secondly, it’s a unique hike in that you must either paddle or take a boat shuttle to the start. And finally, the views at the top of Mazinaw Rock are fantastic.

View across to the lagoon from the Cliff Top trail in Bon Echo Provincial Park

Trail Highlights: Mazinaw Rock & Lake views

The Cliff Top trail is a multi-sensory experience. First there’s the thrill of boating on the water – whether it be via canoe or motorized boat. And then the trail itself offers superlative views up and down Mazinaw Lake.

Interestingly, you can’t actually see Mazinaw Rock from the top of the Cliff Top trail. It’s best appreciated from the water – and the highest point of the rock is north of the trailhead.

Mazinaw Rock

It would be a shame to travel all the way to Bon Echo Provincial Park and not see some of the 260 Indigenous pictographs on Mazinaw Rock. If you rent a canoe, it’s easy to appreciate the pictographs at lake level. Otherwise, consider signing up for the boat tour. You cannot see them on the Cliff Top Trail hike.

Mazinaw Rock is the centerpiece of Mazinaw Pictographs National Historic Site in Canada. In the southern part of the Canadian Shield, it’s the largest rock art site – with the red ochre images showcasing human and animal figures as well as some geometric symbols. The pictographs were painted 300 – 1000 years ago.

How to get to the Cliff Top Trailhead

As you can see in the photo there are lots of colourful canoes to rent from the Bon Echo Paddle Centre in the Lagoon – but they are all first come, first served.

I especially love the red canoes

Canoeing versus taking the ferry to the Cliff Top Trail trailhead

I love canoeing, so for me it was a no-brainer to rent a canoe to get to the trailhead for the Cliff Top trail. That also allowed us to go for an extended paddle on Mazinaw Lake and to experience Mazinaw Rock from the water.

However, if you’ve never been in a canoe, this is probably not the place to start. The lake is deep (over 400 feet in places) and very cold until sometime in July. If the wind blows up, which is likely to happen in the afternoon, then those of you new to paddling could get into trouble quickly.

Note that canoe rentals can be suspended due to high winds, weather watches, or weather warnings.

Every year people inadvertently tip their canoe and end up in the lake – which might be fine if you’re a swimmer, but not a great occurrence if you have young kids or you don’t know how to swim.

If you do choose to paddle and you have limited time, go at 10 AM when it opens, as canoe rentals are first come, first served. We rented a canoe for four hours for $30 including tax. If you have your own boat, you can also launch in the lagoon.

The docking area for canoes at the bottom of the Cliff Top trail in Bon Echo

Booking the Bon Echo Ferry

You can book the Bon Echo ferry online. It’s a 5-minute ferry ride to reach the dock for the Cliff Top Trail. Strollers and pets are not permitted. Prices are $15 pp ages two and up. In summer the ferry runs seven days a week but in the shoulder season, it only runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The tour boat heading off to the dock to pick up hikers finishing the Cliff Top Trail

Parking tips

The Main Beach parking lot is the closest to the canoe launch. If you’ve got your own canoe, it’s a short portage to the launch site in the lagoon.

Park at the Amphitheatre parking lot if Main Beach is full. If it’s a busy summer weekend you may have to go even further to the South Beach parking lot.

What to expect on the Cliff Top Trail

The Cliff Top trail is a straightforward hike in that there are no route-finding issues. The hardest part of the hike is at the beginning (the crux of the hike may be getting out of the canoe for many!) when you climb numerous sets of steep stairs.

But once you’re through with the stairs, it’s a pleasant ramble through the woods. You will come to three lookouts along the length of the trail – and the last two offer the best views of Mazinaw Lake. When you reach the #9 sign you’re at the end of the trail. After taking in the views, simply retrace your steps to the dock.

Distance, elevation, signage and trail conditions

Distance: 1.5 km return hiking plus a 1 km return paddle

Elevation gain: 100 metres (328 feet)

Trail conditions: Excellent with new wooden steps on the steep sections, and a good trail through the woods.

Signage: There is no signage per se but there is a map at the trailhead- and there are numbers along the trail. When you reach number 9, you’ll have reached the end of the Cliff Top Trail.

Lookouts: Three scenic lookouts with seating and views of Mazinaw Lake.

Time needed for hike and paddle: Allow two hours though speedy people could knock the paddle and hike off in an hour. It’s a fun experience and not worth rushing.

Note the new wooden stairs that take you up the steep sections of the Cliff Top trail

How difficult is the Cliff Top trail hike?

In my books, I’d rate this as an easy hike because of the distance, and the fact you only climb 100 metres on a set of newly refurbished stairs.

If you rarely hike or climb stairs, you may find it more challenging, but there are places to pull off and catch your breath. Go at a pace that is comfortable, and you’ll be at the top in no time.

There are several steep sets of stairs you must climb up and down as part of the Cliff Top trail

Safety tips for hiking near the cliff edge

There are several trails down to the cliff edge. Please, use common sense and stay away from the edge. Don’t be a statistic searching for Instagram fame.

When to hike the Cliff Top Trail

Plan to hike the Cliff Top Trail when you can rent a canoe or book a boat ferry. In 2025 that’s between May 9 and October 19th, though in the shoulder season you can only book the ferry for Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

The dock at the trailhead stays in place, so if you’re visiting with your own boat, you can access the trail at your leisure.

The best light is around sunset. In the summer, you won’t be able to access the trail at that time of day but if you hike in the fall you may be lucky to enjoy the golden hour over Mazinaw Rock.

Seasonal considerations (bugs, heat, closures)

Bugs can be a problem in Bon Echo. When we visited around May 25th the black flies were awful once the wind died down. A head net and even a bug jacket will save your sanity early in the season. You’ll also get mosquitoes but a quick spray with bug repellent and you should be good to go.

On hot, humid days, some of you might want to give the hike a pass – or at least avoid the heat of the day. If you decide to go, take 1 -2 L of water, even though it’s a short hike. We hiked on a coldish day – and it was very pleasant. Rainy days would be fine too – though the views won’t be nearly as good.

Keep your eye on the weather. In summer thunderstorms can arrive with little notice. You don’t want to be caught out on the lake when there is lightning. Pay attention to any weather alerts, though chances are that the ferry and rental folks will be keeping a close eye on the weather too.

What to take on your hike

Essential gear and footwear

I’m not your average hiker as I hate hiking boots and prefer them as a last resort. I did this trail in my Chacos with no issues whatsoever. However, shoes with a good grip will give you confidence on uneven terrain and prevent stubbed toes. And if it’s cold out or the bugs are biting, you will most certainly want a pair of lightweight hiking shoes.

If you don’t do a lot of up and down, I’d recommend a pair of hiking poles. They help with balance and save stressing your knees. Take at least a 1L bottle of water and perhaps a protein or energy bar.

Even though it’s a short hike, I still recommend packing the 10 hiking essentials.

I had no problem hiking in my Chacos

You don’t need a lot on this short trail. Pack an energy bar in case you start to fade. Your phone or camera is a must to capture memories. And for those of you who love birding, pack a pair of binoculars and download the Merlin app before you go so you can identify the birds you hear.

More things to do in Bon Echo Provincial Park

Go for a hike (e.g. Abes and Essens, Shield Trail)

There are several more hiking trails in Bon Echo should you have the time. The 17 km-long Abes and Essens trail is best done as an overnight backpacking trip.

The 4.8 km-long Shield Trail will take just two hours. Check out the rugged landscape that makes up the Canadian Shield including hardwood forests and a beaver swamp.

There are several other short (under 2 km) trails should you wish to hike Bon Echo Creek or the High Pines Trail.

Evening campfire on Abes Lake – Photo credit: James Ross

Canoeing and swimming in Bon Echo

Canoeing is popular in Bon Echo with several options. For those looking for an all day paddle try the moderate to difficult 21-kilometre-long Kishkebus Canoe Route. Another option is to spend a motorboat free day paddling Joeperry and Pearson Lakes. And you can certainly spend a good part of a day exploring Mazinaw Lake.

Bon Echo is home to three natural sand beaches – the Main Beach located at Lower Mazinaw Lake, North Beach in the Sawmill Bay campground, and South Beach in the day use area. You’ll need to leave your pets behind on beach days.

You could spend a lot of time canoeing on Mazinaw Lake

Camping and day use info

You do need a daily vehicle permit to enter Bon Echo. You can book a permit online up to five days out. A seasonal or annual day use permit DOES NOT guarantee park entry. Book in advance at a cost of $18.00.

If you plan to stay overnight in the park there are several options.

Camping

There are three loops that make up the Mazinaw Lake Campground – Midway, Sawmill Bay, and Fairway. Those of you with large tents or trailers can be accommodated here, especially since many sites offer electrical service. Water taps and bathrooms are close by.

At the Hardwood Hill Campground tents and trailers not needing electrical outlets can be accommodated.

Roofed accommodations

There are several roofed accommodation options in Bon Echo including new yurts in the Mazinaw Lake Campground. There are also cabins for rent on Bon Echo Lake and exploration tents in the Sawmill Bay Campground.

Camping in Bon Echo at one of the frontcountry campsites In 2025 there are yurts you can rent in Bon Echo

Who will love the Cliff Top Trail

Anyone who loves a great view with minimal effort will enjoy the hike. And there’s something very fun and unique about the need to get to the trailhead by boat. That hasn’t happened very often in my experience.