The Frost Centre: A Hikers Haven
Nestled in the Haliburton Highlands is a hiking gem!
I used to love bringing my students to these trails to learn map and compass skills. There is so much geography packed into the 10 km of trails at the Frost Centre. Tightly spaced contour lines hint of the sheer cliffs and steep climbs but hiking on the property tells another story to this amazing hiking destination.
Located about 20 km north of Carnarvon on the east side of highway #35, a trail sign and maps are available at the trailhead and there is no charge for use of the trails.
Historically, the trails were built to meet the education needs of groups visiting the Leslie M Frost Natural Resources Centre before it was closed in 2010 by the provincial government. To gain insight into this history, I contacted Craig Macdonald. Best known as the producer of Temagami’s Nastawgan Map and government employee for 47 years, Craig designed and cut the trails at the Frost Centre.
The Acclimatization Trail, “was built to give groups arriving at the Frost Centre a lay of the land early in their visit,” said Craig. Other trails were designed around themes like Geomorphology and Forest Management (across the highway from the Frost Centre). Further trail development supported other learning programs like orienteering and snowshoeing.
This trail system now managed by the Haliburton Highlands Water Trails, has tremendous variety. For those looking for a gentle hike, Lakeshore Trail starts about 500 meters from the trailhead and follows the shoreline of St. Nora Lake. There are several access points down to the rocky shoreline on this trail where families can go for a picnic, a swim or just to find a little quiet oasis by the water without having to tackle more challenging terrain. The trail loops back to the Acclimatization Trail which leads back to the parking area.
Steep Rock Trail has one of many impressive rock faces on the property. One section of this trail hugs the shoreline on one side with a wall of rock on the other. The rock face here and elsewhere on the property is covered with Rock Tripe, a type of lichen that clings to rock faces like flaps of cooked lasagna. Ranging from grey when dry to green when moist, this lichen grows incredibly slow- 2.5 millimeters per year. Considered edible, it needs a lot of added ingredients to make it palatable. I know, I have tried!
Further along Steep Rock Trail, you can make your way to Campsite 66, a beauty site, which makes for a great luncheon spot. 
With a firepit grill, thunderbox (toilet) and a gentle sloping, rocky point, this campsite checks off all the boxes of desirable features of a good campsite. However, this site is for day use only unless you have booked it for an overnight which can be done on the Haliburton Highlands Water Trails website.
If interested in more physical challenge, the rugged Vista Trail combines the breathless with the breath-taking. Hikers must navigate a steep ridge but are rewarded with an open, flat, rocky section and a dramatic vista. A solid wooden bench dedicated to local hiking enthusiasts, Peter and Margaret Brogden makes for a spectacular resting place to look out over St. Nora Lake, St. Margaret Island and conifer clad hills and valleys in the distance.
The still standing fire tower is a unique feature of, yes, The Fire Tower Trail. “There is an interesting story there,” noted Craig. “The original tower was dismantled around 1974 and put right back up in 1975 with parts from a tower in Pembroke.” It was part of Craig’s job description to maintain the tower while it was being used. Craig had to replace the roof and paint the underside of the viewing cupula, “with a rope tied around my waist.”
Times have changed since Craig’s days at the Frost Centre. Some trail names have changed and the trails are used predominately for recreation only now. But what hasn’t changed is the dramatic beauty of these wonderful trails- the towering White Pines and Yellow Birch, White Pines and Yellow Birchand massive, moss coated rocks all remain for you to enjoy.
If you are interested in hiking the Frost Centre with a guide, check out Hike Haliburton – Canada’s largest hiking festival.
Submitted by Rick Whitteker. You can find Rick at home in the forest, as a seasoned trail guide, nature writer and passionate wildlife enthusiast in the Haliburton Highlands.
