Centennial Ridges Trail (10.4 km, Challenging) – Algonquin Provincial Park

Overview

About Centennial Ridges Trail

Why go

Open ridge lookouts over lakes and forest
A trail guide adds a strong local-history thread

Heads up

Repeated steep climbs and descents over rock and roots
Mud and wet crossings can slow the loop

Centennial Ridges is a 10.4 km loop from the Highway 60 km 37.6 access, climbing across two high ridges before returning to the lot. It suits hikers looking for a demanding half-day and open views, not a quick stroll. Set aside four to five hours with breaks; times vary with pace and time at viewpoints. The route is rated difficult.

Parkwolf’s verdictIs this the hike for you?

Map & elevation

The route

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Full map

Elevation414–538 m

TrailheadCentennial Ridges Trail Parking Lot, Highway 60 km 37.645.55638, -78.42003

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Plan your hike

Before you go

Parking

Use the Centennial Ridges Road lot at Highway 60 km 37.6. A valid Algonquin Park permit is required. A secondary access is listed from Raccoon Lake Campground. In winter, park at the locked Highway 60 gate and walk about 2 km each way to the trail access.

Best time to go

The main lot is at the Centennial Ridges Road entrance off Highway 60 at km 37.6. A valid park permit is required. In winter, the Highway 60 gate is locked; walking from the gate adds about 2 km each way. There is also a secondary access from Raccoon Lake Campground.

Safety

Repeated steep climbs and descents over uneven rock and roots, with recurring mud and wet crossings. Wet rock and mud can be slippery, especially on descents.

4 active Algonquin alerts

ClosureProvoking Falls Bridge ClosedThe Provoking Falls bridge on the Highland Backpacking Trail is closed because of safety concerns; the bridge has been removed. - Use the posted reroute, which adds 2.5 km.Official details
CautionLow Water on Backcountry Canoe RoutesOntario Parks currently lists low-water alerts for six backcountry canoe-route sections: - Varley Lake from Carl Wilson Lake - Latour Creek north of Rosebary Lake - Carcajou Creek north towards…Official details

See all 4 alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Algonquin Tour Guide

Your drive to Centennial Ridges Trail, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Algonquin Provincial Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

See the Algonquin audio tour

Recorded for this trailhead

Centennial Ridges Trail Access

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“You're coming up on the access for Centennial Ridges, a demanding hike with lake-and-forest views across two ridges.”

Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Algonquin Tour Guide.

Hiking Centennial Ridges Trail

The work on the trailExpect repeated steep rises and drops over uneven rock and roots, with muddy low areas and wet…

Expect repeated steep rises and drops over uneven rock and roots, with muddy low areas and wet crossings. The challenge comes from the repeated changes in grade and footing, not one long climb. Wet rock and mud can be slippery, so take care on the descents.

The lookoutsOpen rocky ledges give repeated views over Algonquin's lakes and forest.

Open rocky ledges give repeated views over Algonquin's lakes and forest. Fall colour is a big draw, and the reward comes in a series of viewpoints rather than one summit. Plan time to stop along the ridges.

The trail's historyThe interpretive guide follows selected people who contributed to Algonquin during the park's…

The interpretive guide follows selected people who contributed to Algonquin during the park's first century. Its numbered stops add a historical thread to the walk between lookouts.

Dogs and facilitiesLeashed dogs are allowed, with a maximum leash length of 2 m.

Leashed dogs are allowed, with a maximum leash length of 2 m. Toilets are listed at the main lot, but visitor reports disagree about availability; the exact facility type and drinking-water supply were not confirmed.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Algonquin

All Algonquin wildlife maps

1,237 sightingsMooseMost seen around 6 AMSighting map

245 sightingsEastern WolfMost seen around 7 PMSighting map

331 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 PMSighting map

604 sightingsLoonMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

110 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 11 AMSighting map

192 sightingsRiver OtterMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Algonquin. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.

Centennial Ridges Trail