Otter Lake Trails
Otter Lake is the largest lake in the northeastern part of the municipality of North Bay. The Otter Lake area is a pristine, undeveloped, very large natural area with extremely exciting geological and natural history. It is also just 15 minutes from downtown North Bay. This area is possibly the best-kept natural secret of the municipality. The South Access Road and the associated forest walking trails are presently the most popular, although McGruther's Road, to the North is also a beautiful walk. Hiking a loop around the entire lake is possible, if ice/snow conditions permit, which will take about half a day; plan on having lunch at the beach! Walk down McGruther's Rd. to Otter Lake, then across the lake to pick up either the Municipal Park loop, or walk to the beach from which the South Access road can be followed either out to Widdifield Station Rd., or to the NBHA walking trail if a turn is made West at the beach. Once on Widdififeld Station Rd, walk North to near the start of McGruther's Road, where parking is available.
The municipal park section of the Otter Lake Recreational Lands can be accessed via either the South Road or the NBHA trail. Making a loop out of the NBHA trail and the South Road seems quite popular, and is about an hour walk, with a total distance traveled of just a little more than 3 km. A walking trail / snowshoeing loop has recently been added in the Municipal Park (Pin 12) section of the Otter Lake Recreational Lands. This trail is extremely beautiful and scenic as it follows the mature maple / beech ridgeline overlooking Otter Lake before looping South, back to the South Access Rd. The loop is 2.5 km long.
Otter Lake Trails
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This site is supported by a grant from the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion Active 2010 Recreation Program, The Ministry of Natural Resources, The Ontario Trillium Foundation and trail users like you!
