Headquarters Conservation Area
Trails

For the nature lover, the 4.6 km of established trails are an interesting feature to the area. The trail system branches off into various lengths and each path offer uniquely different habitats. Some spots along the way are wet enough to warrant rubber boots. If one keeps a keen eye, a variety of wildlife in their natural habitat may be observed.

We ask that you take only pictures and leave only footprints. Please remember that you are visiting a wildlife sanctuary - the home to the birds and wildlife that you see. Please stay on the marked trails to ensure that plants are not trampled and that you are walking on safe ground.

The trails are an excellent place for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.

The Authority happily encourages visitors to enjoy the park and facilities on a year round basis.

Sulphur Springs trail meanders along the southern edge of a wetland area. The trail takes approximately 20-25 minutes to walk.

The highlight of this trail is a large spring which is roughly one metre in diameter and approximately
3 metres (10 feet) deep. As you approach the spring, you may notice a sulphur odour. The water passes through an underground sulphur layer before emerging to feed the streams and ponds. The same odour is experienced at rapids and waterfalls, where the Sulphur Springs water mixes with the air.

The water temperature registers 9 degrees C (49 F) year round; never freezing in the winter. The flow of the water from the spring is constant. It never varies in velocity and would be capable of filling 27 bathtubs with clear cold water every minute! A myriad of colours shimmer in the water, small bubbles rise and spread on the surface and black and silver algae wave like feathers in the crystal clear water.

Corduroy Road takes approximately 10-15 minutes to walk.

This trail travels though a very wet area which supports specialized vegetation. The area consists of a larch (tamarack) bog. The growth of the larch and cedar trees in this area have been stunted by excessive moisture around their roots. Unique bog flowers such as orchids, grass of Parnassus and insect eating pitcher plants thrive on this type of soil.

The vegetation found in corduroy road trail environment provides ideal natural habitat conditions for a variety of animals. Cedar thickets provide excellent wintering grounds for deer. Twigs and seeds are food for rabbits, squirrels and birds.

Rabbit Road takes about 30 minutes to walk.

The old cedar stumps on this trail not only offer superb hiding and hibernating location, but supply the necessary nutrients for yellow birch seeds to start their growth cycle. As the stumps decompose, the roots of the yellow birch must reach solid ground to stabilize their footing. Many "perched" birches can be seen along this trail.

Hardwoods Highlands trail takes roughly 30-45 minutes to walk. This trail offers you the opportunity to study various tree species and appreciate the limitless contributions of our forests. Carpets of wildflowers cover the forest floor in the spring along this beautiful trail.