This 3-km Trail Takes You To Cliffs, Caves And An Old Canyon In Ontario

There's nothing quite like enjoying a gorgeous hike to deliver you feel-good vibes and an amazing sense of accomplishment. Perhaps the coolest place to take a hike in Ontario is Mono Cliffs Provincial Park, a 732-hectare green space that features a 20-km trail system through the Niagara Escarpment.

Its Cliff-Top Side Trail, which is part of the larger Bruce Trail, takes you past some of the coolest environments in southern Ontario. You'll come across a spillway that cuts through an old canyon, wooden boardwalks and staircases in the thick of a cedar forest, plus deep crevice caves carved by ancient glacial activity. Let's not forget the breathtaking vistas atop 40-m-tall limestone cliffs at the highest points of the 3-km trail.

To get to the Cliff-Top Side Trail, you must follow the park's Carriage Trail, which connects to Bruce Trail. Heading north from there will then lead you to the beautiful Cliff-top Side Trail, which follows the left paths at every intersection.

A short detour from the Cliff-Top Side Trail will lead you to a popular spot known as "Jacob's Ladder," a moss-covered wonderland consisting of massive greenish stones arranged like a cathedral. Ancient, vein-like cedars that are over 700 years old also climb up the cliff sides, adding to the site's magical atmosphere.

Open year-round, the moderately difficult Cliff-Top Side Trail should take about an hour and a half to complete, making it perfect for both beginner and advanced hikers. As Mono Cliffs is only open during the daytime, the entire park is a perfect day-trip destination. But for those interested in camping, you can choose a site at the nearby Earl Rowe Provincial Park.

For more information, visit the Ontario Parks website.