Northumberland County: Nature, Trails and Culture

Northumberland County between lakes and hills

Northumberland County stretches from the sandy beaches of Lake Ontario, past the rocky shores of Rice Lake, to the rolling hills in between. Rural attractions and the character of small towns complement the landscape. When looking for a hotel for your trip, you might first consider whether you want to focus on trails and wildlife watching, a lakeshore, or the towns and their history.

A notable destination for outdoor activities is Northumberland County Forest. It has more than 118 km of trails and welcomes more than 100,000 visitors each year. There are also more than 45 km of hiking trails, including the eastern connection to the Oak Ridges Hiking Trail.

Forest Trails and Loop Trails

Northumberland County Forest offers three Universal Trails: Carstairs Universal Trail, Beagle Club Heritage Trail and Porcupine Trail at Woodland Trailhead. Porcupine Universal Trail is a 1 km loop with a wide, smooth granular surface, information panels and rest benches. It combines exercise and information along the trail over a manageable distance.

At Carstairs Universal Trail, you can choose from several possible loops: the trail is 3.2 km in total and offers four loops ranging from 750 m to 2.2 km. The grades are gentle and the trail surface is more than 2 m wide. By contrast, Porcupine Universal Trail is a single 1 km loop; Carstairs offers a choice of loop distances. The best option therefore depends mainly on whether you prefer one set loop or several possible distances.

In the wider region, Ganaraska Forest extends across Northumberland County, Peterborough County, the City of Kawartha Lakes and the Regional Municipality of Durham. Year-round activities there include hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and wildlife watching. The trail network spans several hundred kilometres. There are more than 35 km of marked, groomed and tracked cross-country ski trails; marked snowshoe trails cover more than 10 km.

A day pass or forest membership is required to enter Ganaraska Forest. Both are available from the GRCA online store; day passes are also available at the self-service kiosk at the entrance to Ganaraska Forest Centre. If you plan to visit, you can take this entry requirement into account when preparing for your trip.

Presqu’ile Provincial Park and Birdwatching

Presqu’ile Provincial Park in Brighton combines the beach with wildlife watching. Its sandy beach is 2.5 km long; dogs are prohibited on the beach at all times. A 1 km marsh boardwalk leads to the largest protected marsh on the north shore of Lake Ontario. In spring and fall, the park is an important stopover for migratory birds.

A total of 338 bird species have been recorded at Presqu’ile Provincial Park, including 130 breeding species. These figures give an impression of the diversity of birdlife observed there; they may change as more sightings are recorded. The different seasons offer a specific point of comparison: spring and fall are centred on bird migration, while the recorded breeding species show another aspect of the area.

History and Experiences in the Towns

History also shapes a trip through Northumberland County. The Trent-Severn Waterway is a National Historic Site of Canada, runs through the county and connects neighbouring communities. In Cobourg, Northumberland County opened the purpose-built Northumberland County Archives and Museum on September 18, 2026. It preserves and shares the region’s history, records, artifacts and stories. Check current visiting options directly with the museum before your trip.

In Port Hope, the grounds around Wesleyville Church and the schoolhouse, as well as the Wesleyville nature trail, are open to visitors. Port Hope also offers heritage tours of landmarks and points of interest on foot or by car. If you plan a tour, check whether maps are available before setting out.

Regional culinary offerings can also be part of your plans: the Kawarthas Northumberland Butter Tart Tour takes you to 13 bakeries that make butter tarts. It adds another regional focus to the nature and culture themes.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Cobourg, Roseneath, Campbellford, Port Hope, Brighton, Grafton, Gores Landing, Bewdley, Colborne

For the main travel overview: Ontario.