Red Trail (Arowhon Pines)

The Red Trail is an approximately 11 km (7 mi) loop from Arowhon Pines, usually about three hours and described as moderately difficult. It climbs through forest to Bear's Nest, joins the abandoned-railway stretch of Mizzy Lake Trail, reaches the west end of Wolf Howl Pond, then follows Arowhon Road back to the resort. This is the shorter Red route, not the roughly 16 km option that continues farther along Mizzy Lake Trail. Because it starts on lodge grounds, visitors not staying at Arowhon Pines should confirm permission before driving in; a park day-use permit alone does not establish access.

The walk starts with a good-sized hill through land logged about a century ago. It levels out as you near the former railway. The rail bed gives this route a different feel from a loop that stays on forest tread, and the pond's open, marshy edge is the main named stop along the way.

This is a long walk rather than a quick lodge stroll. Arowhon advises hikers to keep to marked paths: trail markers can be easy to miss, and animal tracks may look like a trail. Carry the lodge map, bring water and a lunch, and tell the office your plan before leaving. A posted Ontario Parks notice says the Bear Nest side trail is not currently maintained, while Arowhon's route directions still include it; confirm that section with the lodge before setting out.

The trail starts at Arowhon Pines, reached by Arowhon Road about 8 km north of Highway 60 at km 15.4. The lodge is in a remote part of the park. Permission for visitors who are not staying at Arowhon Pines, and the exact parking arrangements for them, are not confirmed; ask the lodge before driving in. Pet rules for this lodge route were not established, so check those too. Arowhon advertises picnic lunches for guest day hikes, so check whether that service is available to you when you confirm access.

For a longer outing, Arowhon describes continuing along Mizzy Lake Trail beyond Wolf Howl Pond. That adds about 6.25 mi (10 km) and makes a roughly 10 mi (16 km) loop, returning to Bear's Nest and retracing the Red, Medicine Tree and Yellow trails. It is a separate, more demanding outing than the 11 km Red Trail stored here.