High Knoll hike

Start the High Knoll hike from the main Quarry Road parking lot in Minnikhada Regional Park. Here, you’ll find an outhouse and the start of the trail. Follow the trail directly behind the outhouse.

Within a 328ft, you’ll notice a split in the trail. Head left, following the sign towards High Knoll/Low Knoll. It’s only 1.4mi to reach High Knoll from here.

Right away, you should run into another junction, where you’ll head right onto the gravel path that is Meadow Trail.

Come to another sign, then keep left where you should see the marsh peeking through the tree line.

Follow the trail, as it gently slopes downwards towards the marsh. This is the perfect spot for birders to see fowl in their natural habitat or even find beavers floating in the water. Depending on the season, the marsh is also home to a wide variety of frogs that like to hangout along the edges of the marsh.

Walk across the dyke, a thick wall that prevents flooding and splits the marshland, while taking in the scenery.

From here, prepare for a short, but steep ascent, then follow the trail as it winds downwards again towards a small creek.

0.8mi into the hike, the path will split for either the High Knoll or the Low Knoll. Follow the signs for the Low Knoll, as it’s a quick detour from here. Take the first trail on your right, and do the small climb to the Low Knoll lookout. The views are partially obstructed here, but still pretty. Double back towards where the path split and this time, go in the direction of High Knoll.

After 15 minutes, the road splits once more. Head right and continue up a steep hill to the summit of High Knoll. .

Soon, you will reach the expansive view looking south. From the High Knoll summit, you can see the park’s marsh, Minnekhada Lodge, the Pitt River, the Pitt-Addington Marsh, and the surrounding farmlands. Take a rest here or perhaps enjoy a light lunch before retracing your route back to the parking lot.