Canoeing and Hiking Wild Muskoka

An Eco-Adventure Guide

Hap Wilson

Firefly/Boston Mills Press, 2003

ISBN 9781550463392

143 pages, including 70 pages of maps, 26 illustrations; $19.95

This is “eco-tourism” at its best. Beyond the arc of Muskoka’s well known summer retreats and busy major lakes, the district still possesses a natural, rugged wildness.

For many of us, paddling a lake or walking the woods to experience this Muskoka solitude would be diminished by the presence of chatty guide. This book offers the perfect solution: expert guidance from a seasoned naturalist while letting you encounter “wild Muskoka” on your own.

In this large-format guidebook, author Hap Wilson, a well-known canoeist and wilderness advocate, explores that “other Muskoka” -- from Georgian Bay’s coast through the vast stretches of forest, rivers, and smaller lakes to the Algonquin highlands.

He covers canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and cross-country skiing in Muskoka's best “near-wilderness” areas. His more than 80 hand-drawn maps detail featured destinations. He describes “soft” eco-adventures that combine easy daytrips with comfortable lodging, but also “hard” eco-adventures that put outdoor skills and endurance to the test, exchanging creature comforts for a more primitive experience.