Canoeing and Hiking Wild Muskoka: An Eco-Adventure Guide

by Hap Wilson

Beyond the glamour of the summer retreats and boathouses lining its major lakes, Ontario's famous Muskoka region still possesses a natural, rugged wildness that is rarely celebrated. In this wonderful large-format guidebook, well-known canoeist, wilderness advocate and author Hap Wilson explores the other Muskoka: from the Georgian Bay coast to the Algonquin highlands, through the vast stretches of forest, rivers and smaller lakes in between. Wilson covers canoeing, kayaking, hiking and cross-country skiing in Muskoka's best near-wilderness areas. Wilson's more than 80 hand-drawn, maps detail featured destinations. Soft eco-adventures combine easy daytrips with comfortable lodging. Hard eco-adventures put outdoor skills and endurance to the test, exchanging creature comforts for a more primitive experience.

144 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2003

About the author

Hap Wilson is one of Canada's most well known wilderness guides and has traveled more than 60,000 km across Canada by canoe. Author of 14 books and numerous feature articles about nature and the outdoors, Wilson taught Pearce Brosnan how to paddle a canoe and throw a knife for the Attenborough movie "Grey Owl". Wilson's illustrated book "Voyages - Canada's Heritage Rivers" won the Natural Resources Council of America Award for best environmental book. Recipient of the Bill Mason Award for Lifetime Achievement in River Conservation, Wilson is also co-founder of the environment group Earthroots. Hap Wilson is an International Fellow of the prestigious Explores Club & the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and a member of the Writers Union of Canada. Wilson is also an award winning artist and photographer.

Reviews

[Mike Parkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of canoe/kayak routes in the Muskoka region, with a bit on hiking/cross-country skiing as well. Wilson's maps are hand-drawn and a bit idiosyncratic, providing extra information on approaches to navigating the rapids on some of the routes. This guidebook has a lot more Muskoka routes than Kevin Callan's "Paddler's Guide to Cottage Country", so it's the one to get if Muskoka will be your focus.