Frontenac Challenge Thru Hike

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South Frontenac, Ontario, CA

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Route Overview

Decent Diversions

Creative Adventures

63 mi.

1,815 ft.

The Frontenac Challenge asks hikers to complete all 11 of Frontenac Provincial Park's trail loops specifically between September 1st and October 31st. By completing the challenge, hikers get to explore much of Frontenac Provincial Park's 5,355 hectares on the southern edge of the Canadian Shield in Ontario during a great time to see fall colours.

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Route Details

The Frontenac Challenge is an annual hiking challenge (not a race) where participants must complete all 11 of Frontenac Provincial Park's trail loops specifically between September 1st and October 31st. By completing the challenge, hikers get to explore much of Frontenac Provincial Park's 5,355 hectares on the southern edge of the Canadian Shield in Ontario during a great time to see fall colours. Besides the time window (September and October), completing the Frontenac Challenge involves a few rules. For example, parts of a trail loop that are shared with a neighbouring loop must be hiked twice. More information can be found at [frontenacpark.ca](https://frontenacpark.ca/the-frontenac-challenge)

# Route

* The best trailhead to start a thruhike of the Frontenac Challenge is at @poi[Salmon Lake](12858288) but hikers could also start from the park office, Arab Lake, Kingsford Lake Dam or 6767 Perth Road.
* The 11 loops can be done in any order but this route has them sequenced like so: 1. Big Salmon; 2. Slide; 3. Little Salmon; 4. Hemlock; 5. Tetsmine; 6. Gibson; 7. Little Clear; 8. Cedar; 9. Arkon; 10.  Arab; 11. Doe

* Everyone who visits Frontenac Park find magic spots but two common ones include @point[Flagpole Hill](d,20549.54) and @point[Thor](d,4469.87), an old truck left behind near an old farm in the park.
* The park is relatively flat but nonetheless the rocky landscape offers a number of scenic views over small lakes and ponds. Hikers should also be prepared for short but plenty technical sections including some punchy climbs that may require hand holds.
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# Notes

* Since it was founded in 1993, over 2500 have completed the Frontenac Challenge and most people have completed it by doing several separate hikes. 
* A few faster endurance-oriented hikers have completed the challenge in 3 days, using a car to shuttle to different trailheads. 
* This route is listed on [FastestKnownTime.com](https://fastestknowntime.com/route/frontenac-challenge-canada) and for FKT purposes, the route can be run at any time. Hoever, if you want a badge from the park's "Friends" group you must complete the Challenge  in Sept - Oct. The FKT was set in [October 2019 with a time of 38 hours 46 minutes.](https://youtu.be/DQ54112eOI8) 
* In terms of wildlife, you can expect to see animals including wild turkeys, deer, porcupine, a variety of snakes, a variety of turtles. You may see coyotes and bears but have better odds of seeing signs of them than actually seeing them. Hearing a pack of coyotes howling at night is pretty amazing so feel lucky if you get to hear it!
* The real hazards in this park are deer ticks that could carry Lyme disease. Be sure to take proper precautions: stay on the trail, wear deet, wear pants and long sleeves (pale colours) and check yourself often.
* Every campsite is equipped with a bear-proof storage box which eliminates the need to hang your food.

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