Killarney Routes

This page lists "absolute beginner" routes and some hints for "getting more adventurous". After these two sections, you don't need me to tell you about routes. The Friends of Killarney publish a fantastic Canoe Guide Book that will tell you everything you need to know about routes, along with your own study of maps. I have a separate page about "Lakes" where I rate various lakes to help you decide whether to go there or not.

Absolute Beginner Routes
Camp at George Lake Campground - Day Trips

1: Chikanishing River Route
Portages: none

What to do: Go to the launching dock at the start of the Chikanishing Trail. It's easy to get in and out of the water, so minimum ability to embarrass ones self. A day trip, so there is no need to take anything heavy. Take a nice slow paddle down the River - it's very pretty. Once out into the "open water" of Georgian Bay it is critical to take a VERY GOOD LOOK around because the entry to get back up the river is difficult to find if you don't know exactly where it is. And stay very close to the coast.

Entering Georgian Bay from Chikanishing River near George Lake Campground

2: Cruise around George Lake: go to Freeland Lake
Portages: one.

What to do: Enter George Lake at the beach - the "real access point". Very easy smooth sand bottom to the lake. Cruising around George Lake is fun: it's a pretty lake. For a bit of adventure and a change of scene, take the 80m portage into Freeland Lake. One of the easiest portages in the Park: it is very short with a dock on George and two gentle sloping non-muddy landing beaches in Freeland. Freeland is a pretty lake. Shallow, full of weeds, and some interesting wildlife.

View of George Lake from the portage at Freeland Lake.

Getting a bit more adventurous.

1: Camping on Killarney Lake. George-Freeland-Killarney
Portages: 2 - one very easy (80m), one easy (380m).

Killarney Lake is absolutely gorgeous. It's easier to book a space than is OSA, it's almost as pretty, and it's a lot less windy. The entry to the lake from Freeland is quite interesting, and the landscape varies during the journey through the lake. Once there, there is the opportunity to take a day-trip into OSA lake, which can be  a round trip using the two different marked routes. One route is a straight portage, the other involves a lift-over at a beaver dam. Lift-overs are easier going downhill, so bear that in mind for a round-trip.

Killarney Lake - view from campground at Thanksgiving.

2:Johnny Lake Access: Ruth Roy Lake
Portages: One - very easy (90m).

Ruth Roy is a pretty lake, very sheltered and quiet. When staying there, a hike up Silver Creek (starting from Clear Silver Lake) is an excellent day out.

View from Silver Peak

3: Variation on (1) above. Onward to OSA Lake or Norway Lake.