Photo by Andrea Armstrong
Beetle Lake Trail
[IMPORTANT – Bridge was damaged during the winter and removed. Trail can no longer be walked in a circular fashion but each side is still walkable, with the Elliot Road entrance offering the cliff views. Funding has been applied for to replace the bridge.]
The 5km Beetle Lake Trail, located right on Oxtongue Lake, has it all! Rocky Ridges, lookouts, magnificent hardwoods hills, beautiful creek and an amazing bog.
The trail starts beside Algonquin Outfitters and traverses a hardwood forest full of new and old growth trees. As you explore the trail you will come to a footbridge crossing Oxbow creek. This is an excellent location to have lunch or rest. Evidence of beaver activity is visible in this area along with blue herons searching for a meal in the creek. It’s also a possible opportunity to spot Moose, deer, snowshoe hair, red tailed hawk, barred owl and ruffed grouse, just to name a few.
After the bridge you will hike to the top of the ridge and follow the trail south through a mixed wood forest. A massive 100 foot rocky ridge awaits you overlong Oxtongue Lake, providing an excellent photo opportunity. Continue down the ridge to Elliot Road then onto Hwy 60, crossing the bridge back to Algonquin Outfitters.
It’s also a great trail to do in the winter too!
