Guided Nature Hike

While you’re staying at Off Grid Retreat, enjoy a discovery hike with your host (a graduate of the Master Naturalist certificate by Lakehead University and Ontario Nature) while learning interesting facts… and maybe a few less factual stories too.. about the woodland ecosystem.

Select a single theme for a specialized 1 or 2 hour hike, or combine two or three themes for a general 2 hour hike.

  • Trees – The most popular theme, discover how to identify at least 10 species of trees in ways you can remember, and later impress your friends. Great for adults and kids alike!
  • Mammals – Learn to identify mammal tracks & other signs, and hopefully see some wildlife too. You will also locate animal homes above & below ground and determine who lives/lived in them.
  • Birds – Learn to identify, by sight and sound, some of the birds large and small (both year-round residents and seasonal visitors) who inhabit the forest and its margins.
  • Plants – Explore a cross-section of forest plants including a selection of shrubs, herbs, ferns, mosses, lichens, plus maybe some fungi. (n/a in winter)
  • Large glacial erratic
  • Large woodpecker hole in cedars area.
  • Beautiful autumn funghi in the hardwoods area.
  • Pair of groudhogs by raspberry cane north of house.
  • Juvenile porcupine in east end of white pine area.
  • A couple raccoons lazily sleeping away in the crook of a larch.
  • Racoon in the hollow of a large fallen tree near guest cabin.
  • Large snapping turtle near pond.. they can live up to 80 years!
  • Fawn between house and pond.
  • Entrance to orange loop near guest cabin.
  • Like a space alien… a Giant Puffball mushroom.
  • Wild Turkeys are a common sight.
  • Lots of deer, though they usually see us before we see them!
  • Raccoon mother with young in large tree hollow.
  • Neil at the Spirit Tree, trunk so large it needs 3 people to hug it.
  • Bleeding Tooth fungi in the Spruces area.
  • Large porcupine exiting its den.

1 HOUR $35 or 2 HOURS $50 · up to 5 persons · available only to guests staying at Off-Grid Retreat.

Request in advance to confirm; short-notice requests on an as-available basis.

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