 |
travel / adventure zone
| The Adventure Zone |
|
|
 |
| Photo courtesy Voyageur Quest |
Roughing it in Algonquin
A helping hand to explore Algonquin Park's rich interior
By Christopher Mason
Ontario's oldest and largest park, Algonquin Park, is a tale of two adventures.
Campsites and hiking trails line the park's easily-accessible southern Highway 60
corridor a little more than three hours north of Toronto. But behind the drive-up campsites
and outfitting stores lay thousands of square kilometers of isolated dense forest and crystal-clear
lakes reserved for experienced trippers or those with professional guides.
Accessing the tranquility of the park's interior is normally no easy task, but a growing
Toronto-based adventure company is offering the best of both worlds with guided canoe trips
and accommodation packages that allow travelers to explore the raw beauty of Algonquin Park's
interior while holding on to a few creature comforts.
Voyageur Quest owns isolated cabins in two locations that provide access to the park's
northern interior. One, just outside the park's northwestern boundary, provides a rustic
base for travelers to take guided day trips. Another site provide a few more amenities and
greater privacy for families or couples.
 |
| Photo
courtesy Voyageur Quest |
The Algonquin Log Cabin sits on Surprise Lake along with a handful of other cabins and thousands
of acres of crown land leading into nearby Algonquin Park. The cabin was built a decade ago
to provide a rustic experience. It does not have electricity, but features a 30-foot stone
fireplace and a communal feeling among guests (it can accommodate up to a dozen) who stay
there.
The Algonquin Cottage Outpost on Round Lake offers three cottages with more amenities, such
as electricity and other creature comforts not found in the log cabin.
Both locations are base camps for Voyageur's tour packages that include paddling trips,
hikes and animal and nature tours. The company also offers multi-day guided canoe trips into
the park's interior. Packages typically include meals and equipment.
"We're here for people who want to experience authentic Algonquin Park as opposed
to going to Highway 60, renting a boat and messing around," says John Langford, owner
of Voyageur Quest.
The company also provides a shuttle service between the park and Toronto.
Packages are available during weekdays and weekends throughout the summer. The company also
offers tour packages during the winter months.
For more information, check out www.voyageurquest.com.
|
|
| ADVERTISEMENT |
|
|
|
|
