Centennial Ridges Trail Lookout
The Centennial Ridges Trail delivers the most dramatic panorama in all of Algonquin — a sweeping 360-degree view of boreal forest rolling to every horizon without a single rooftop in sight. The 10-kilometre loop is considered the park's most scenic day hike and rewards every step of the climb.
The Hike Up
The trail begins at kilometre 37.5 on Highway 60 and climbs through mixed forest before breaking onto bare Precambrian rock ridges scraped clean by glaciers. Two main exposed ridges offer views south and north respectively, and the contrast between the dark spruce valleys and pale granite underfoot is striking.
Autumn transforms this hike into something almost unreasonable in its beauty — sugar maple, red maple and yellow birch ignite the hillsides in early October, and the ridges give you a bird's-eye seat above the colour. Photographers routinely rate this the single best fall-foliage viewpoint in Ontario.
Wildlife and Timing
The open ridges are excellent for spotting broad-winged and sharp-shinned hawks during the September raptor migration. Bring binoculars — on a clear September day you can watch dozens of hawks riding thermals above the canopy.
Allow 3.5–4.5 hours for the full loop at a relaxed pace. The trail is rated moderate-to-strenuous due to uneven rocky terrain; sturdy hiking shoes are essential and the exposed ridges offer no shade, so sun protection matters in summer.
Centennial Ridges Trail Lookout on video
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