On a weekend with beautiful weather in April, we visited this gem. It was a spot we actually returned a few monther later in June since it was so enjoyable.
We chose to park in a decent sized lot just off Highway 50, north-west of Palgrave past Zimmerman drive. It’s about an hour drive from Toronto and the two times we had visited (both on a Saturday), there were still parking spots left when arriving around noon-ish.
Just off the trail from lot and up a short hill (from entrance 12 to spot 11), you are greeted with an open valley surrounded by tall pine and various conifers. We headed on the trail to the right within the valley to walk through the lush pine forests.
It wasn’t intentional but when writing this post I noticed I took some photos from similar angles; it’s fun reviewing and comparing them and seeing the growth in just two months.
There are multiple smaller side trails off the main trails that are perfect for biking. The main trails are pretty wide and you can walk side by side easily, where the side trails are wide enough for one person. Both of the times we visited we saw about a dozen people on bikes, but it wasn’t busy.
The conservation area (managed by Toronto Conservation Authority) is 360 hectares in size, with over 20 kilometers of trails to explore. Palgrave Forest lies on the Oak Ridges Moraine – a hilly feature of Southern Ontario that was formed 12,000 years ago from retreating glaciers leaving deposits of sediment.
Side trail perfect for biking. 
Main trail is well marked and easy to follow.
There exists a diverse array of flora and fauna, including over 80 bird species. The trails we explored were dominated by coniferous trees including pine, cedar, and spruce.
In our visit in April we often saw fungi growing on both dead and small alive trees adjacent to the trails. 
A cute song sparrow.
Have you visited Palgrave Forest? Let us know about your experience in the comments below.
Happy trekking!
Spruce Bog Boardwalk at Algonquin Provincial Park
Spruce Bog Boardwalk is a quick and easy hike along the Highway 60 corridor in Algonquin Provincial Park. The trail is 1.5 km and made up mostly of boardwalk, and is a leaisurley path with even terrain. We visited the trail on a Saturday in Late October in the early afternoon, and the parking lot […]
Lookout Point Trail at Algonquin Provincial Park
The Lookout Point Trail at Algonquin Provincial Park is a 2.1 km loop that presents breathtaking views of hundreds of square kilometers of landscape. With an elevation gain of about 70 meters across the hike, it’s a short but challenging walk. We visited around noon on a Saturday in late October. By this time it […]
Eagles Nest Lookout in Bancroft
On a Saturday morning in mid-October, we arrived at Eagle’s Nest Park. Located within Bancroft, the area is a perfect spot for scenic views (especially If you are driving through on the way to Algonquin). There are four trails at just over 3 km total to explore. The gates of Eagles Nest Park road were […]
Scenery at Meadowvale Conservation Area
Meadowvale Conservation Area is a lovely park with expansive fields, plenty of amenities, and scenic views of the Credit River. The park is within Mississauga, and is nestled within the suburbs of Meadowvale. There is a large parking lot at the end of Second Line West, with plenty of space available when we visited on a […]
Autumn at Lions Valley Park in Oakville
Lions Valley Park is about a 45 minute drive from Toronto with no traffic, and is nestled between the suburbs of northern Oakville. The park features trails that meander through and around a valley carved from Sixteen Mile Creek. We visited on a Saturday in October, and parked near a dedicated entrance called Sixteen Mile […]
Day Hike at Forks of the Credit Provincial Park
Forks of the Credit Provincial Park is located within Caledon, and its 282 hectares is managed by Ontario Parks. It’s about an hour drive northeast from Toronto and features approximately 10 km of hiking trails including the Bruce Trail. We visited on a Saturday in September and made sure to reserve in advance online for […]
The Ground Stompers 