Parking
Highland Backpacking Trailhead at km 29.7 of Highway 60 near Bat Lake Trail; parking and toilets are available at the trailhead.
Overview
About Provoking Lake Loop
The Provoking Lake loop is the shorter circuit of Algonquin’s Highland Backpacking Trail, with forested ridges, rocky footing and backcountry lakeshore campsites. The mapped round trip from the Highland trailhead is approximately 23.3 km (14.5 miles), including the required Madawaska River bridge reroute.
Why go
- Lakeshore campsites, rocky lookouts, and classic Algonquin Canadian Shield scenery
- The official reroute keeps the loop open using the Old Airfield and Old Railway Bike Trail
Heads up
- The permanent bridge closure adds 2.7 km on each one-way passage, making the full loop about 24.4 km
- Rugged, muddy, root-studded tread and frequent short climbs make this a demanding backcountry day
- Carry a current map and navigation backup; cell service is unreliable beyond Highway 60
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Algonquin map
Full mapPlan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
4 active Algonquin alerts
- CautionLow Water on Backcountry Canoe RoutesLow-water alerts are active on six backcountry canoe-route sections; extremely low water may make routes impassable.Official details
- ClosureProvoking Falls Bridge ClosedThe Provoking Falls bridge on the Highland Backpacking Trail is closed due to safety concerns and has been removed. - A reroute has been posted and adds 2.5 km.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Algonquin Tour Guide
Your drive to Provoking Lake Loop, 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.
Recorded for this trailhead
Highland Backpacking Trail: A Rugged Multi-Day HikeListen
“The trailhead ahead marks the start of the Highland Backpacking Trail, one of Algonquin's designated multi-day backpacking routes.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Algonquin Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Bat Lake Trail: Hemlocks and a Tea-Colored Lake
- Mew Lake Old Airfield and Campground
- Two Rivers Trail Lookout Hike
- Bat Lake Trail Loop
- 139 audio storiesacross Algonquin’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Moose, Eastern Wolf, Black Bear, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 26 trails, 95 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Provoking Lake Loop
Route and permanent bridge rerouteStart at the Highland Backpacking Trailhead at Highway 60 km 29.7.
Start at the Highland Backpacking Trailhead at Highway 60 km 29.7. Follow the Highland approach to the west-side junction before the removed bridge. Turn north on the connecting footpath to Mew Lake Campground, continue to the Old Airfield and join the Old Railway Bike Trail. Cross the Madawaska River on the Old Railway Bike Trail bridge, follow the former railbed back southwest, and rejoin the Highland trail toward Starling Lake. Complete the Provoking Lake loop and return using the same detour. Do not cross the removed Highland bridge or use shortcuts beside the river.
Distance and planningOntario Parks lists 19 km and 35 km loops and advises that the bridge reroute adds…
Ontario Parks lists 19 km and 35 km loops and advises that the bridge reroute adds approximately 2.7 km one-way to posted distances. Those posted figures and campsite-spur choices can differ from the measured line shown here; plan conservatively and carry the current Algonquin Backpacking Trails Map. Many visitors take an overnight trip; completing the whole loop in one day is a strenuous outing.
Permits, terrain and wildlifeBackcountry campsite reservations and a valid park camping permit are required.
Backcountry campsite reservations and a valid park camping permit are required. Expect roots, exposed rock, muddy low spots, steep side slopes and limited cell coverage. Treat drinking water, store food appropriately in black-bear country, and keep dogs leashed where permitted. Carry navigation backups and be prepared for slippery footing.
Trail geographyThe stored itinerary preserves the supported lake circuit and uses connected mapped paths for…
The stored itinerary preserves the supported lake circuit and uses connected mapped paths for both passages of the bridge detour. The former Highland crossing has been permanently closed by Ontario Parks; no replacement bridge has been announced.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Algonquin
1,230 sightingsMooseMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
244 sightingsEastern WolfMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
331 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
603 sightingsLoonMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
109 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 11 AMSighting map
191 sightingsRiver OtterMost seen around 6 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Algonquin. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
