Nature Conservancy of Canada: winter trails
Nature Conservancy of Canada manages 30.3 km of cross-country ski trail and 40.2 km of snowshoe trail in the Ontario Trail Network, across 10 named trails. The trails lie across a long corridor; the centre of the network is closest to Hamilton.
Trail conditions and fees: www.natureconservancy.ca
Open the full Ontario Crown land map
Cross-country skiing
Snowshoeing
Trails
| Trail | Length | Winter use | Also open to |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bell Woodland Preserve Trails Sign at entrance asks hikers to notify NCC of access by calling 1-866-281-5331. Maps and information are provided when you call. |
7.6 km | Snowshoeing | Hiking or Walking |
|
Sassafras Trail Backus Woods in one of the highest quality old growth hardwood forests in all of Ontario and the best remaining example in the Carolinian Life Zone. The Carolinian Life Zone comprises less than a quarter of one per cent of the country's landmass, but |
6 km | Cross-country skiingSnowshoeing | Hiking or Walking, Cycling |
|
Floodplain Trail Backus Woods in one of the highest quality old growth hardwood forests in all of Ontario and the best remaining example in the Carolinian Life Zone. The Carolinian Life Zone comprises less than a quarter of one per cent of the country's landmass, but |
4.7 km | Cross-country skiingSnowshoeing | Hiking or Walking, Cycling |
|
Wetland Trail Backus Woods in one of the highest quality old growth hardwood forests in all of Ontario and the best remaining example in the Carolinian Life Zone. The Carolinian Life Zone comprises less than a quarter of one per cent of the country's landmass, but |
4.3 km | Cross-country skiingSnowshoeing | Hiking or Walking, Cycling |
|
Four Oaks Trail Backus Woods in one of the highest quality old growth hardwood forests in all of Ontario and the best remaining example in the Carolinian Life Zone. The Carolinian Life Zone comprises less than a quarter of one per cent of the country's landmass, but |
3.6 km | Cross-country skiingSnowshoeing | Hiking or Walking |
|
Weston Family Trail Backus Woods in one of the highest quality old growth hardwood forests in all of Ontario and the best remaining example in the Carolinian Life Zone. The Carolinian Life Zone comprises less than a quarter of one per cent of the country's landmass, but |
3.3 km | Cross-country skiingSnowshoeing | Hiking or Walking, Cycling |
|
Sugar Bush Trail Backus Woods in one of the highest quality old growth hardwood forests in all of Ontario and the best remaining example in the Carolinian Life Zone. The Carolinian Life Zone comprises less than a quarter of one per cent of the country's landmass, but |
3.2 km | Cross-country skiingSnowshoeing | Hiking or Walking, Cycling |
|
Dogwood Trail Backus Woods in one of the highest quality old growth hardwood forests in all of Ontario and the best remaining example in the Carolinian Life Zone. The Carolinian Life Zone comprises less than a quarter of one per cent of the country's landmass, but |
3.1 km | Cross-country skiingSnowshoeing | Hiking or Walking, Cycling |
|
Webber Woods of Wolf Grove Trails Sign at entrance asks hikers to notify NCC of access by calling 1-866-281-5331. Maps and information are provided when you call. Compacted soil variable terrain trails approx. 0.5-1.5 m wide trails cross wetlands in several places - at some times of |
2.3 km | Snowshoeing | Hiking or Walking |
|
Andy and Helen Spriet Trail The Andy and Helen Spriet Trail is owned by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). The NCC owns and manages many properties throughout Norfolk County with the purpose of conserving areas of ecological value. Interpretive signs along the Andy and Hel |
2.1 km | Cross-country skiingSnowshoeing | Hiking or Walking |
"Winter use" is what Nature Conservancy of Canada permits on the trail, not a grooming report: check the organization before you go. Lengths are from the Ontario Trail Network.
Source: Ontario Trail Network trail segments, Land Information Ontario (Open Government Licence – Ontario), updated December 2024. Trail names, uses and descriptions are as supplied by Nature Conservancy of Canada to the network.