
An Uphill Hike For Views of the La Cloche on the Granite Ridge Trail in Beautiful Killarney
Bring some hiking poles for the ascent – and descent – especially when the trails are wet. The reward is spectacular views over the red granite of Granite Ridge and the white quartz of the La Cloche Mountains.
Granite Ridge Trail – Moderate Difficulty – 2 km
The Granite Ridge Trailhead is located across Highway 637, 250 metres from the Killarney Provincial Park Office.
The trail began fairly smooth and easy – and muddy because it had rained for the 3 days straight before my hike. The wide path meandered through tall pines before coming to one of the trail highlights.


The Old Car
Aside from the view, this car is probably one of the most photographed things on the trail.






The Trail Goes Up and Up, Over Slippery Rocks and Roots
Just before reaching the uphill section, I ran into a couple on their way out. They kindly gave me a wood staff they’d picked up. Little did I know this walking pole would be essential for safely scaling the wet rocks and bracing myself when butt-sliding off the rocks at viewpoint #11.
I saw families hiking without poles and kids scampering around like they were spiders. Fearless and confident in their abilities. I remember those days.
Note: If you like adventuring with hiking poles, don’t leave yours in the car (like I had), but the extra balance is a personal choice. I certainly needed it; I was still having pain and flexibility issues with my leg (broken/dislocated leg) and often walking with a cane.





More Amazing Views
Walking on Red Granite and a little White Quartz




Almost at lookout #11







Cloudy Skies
All through the hike, the sun would burst out for a few minutes and then hide behind the clouds, but its coverage was breaking up.
I had packed a lunch, so I took off my backpack and coat now that I was warm from hiking up to this spot (#11), and set about enjoying a bite. However, I couldn’t stop snapping photos.









Sunny Skies
Well, waiting for the sun was worth it. Shadows ran across the landscape; the white quartz of the La Cloche Silhouette was lit up – and was the red granite beneath my feet.









I lost the trail
After coming down from the lookout, I searched for where the loop continued, but I’d lost the trail. It was only after reading Wandering Canadians’ blog that I found out my mistake.
Like me, they had gotten disoriented and lost the trail – apparently, I needed to backtrack a couple hundred meters to reconnect to the loop!


Sunlight through the trees and Pine plantation
Except for these three photos, I didn’t photograph anything on the way down the Granite Ridge. This trail was exceptional!



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