4-day Algonquin Portage | Trip Guide & Route Inspiration

Welcome back to Trail Tales. In this video, we are canoeing and backcountry camping in Algonquin, a beautiful Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada. So if you’re planning a portage trip, or just want to learn more about what Algonquin has to offer, then this video is for you.

Our route takes us from Achray campground all the way through Barron Canyon and ending at Squirrel rapids.

DAY ONE
Rental pickup and setting off from Achray
45 minute paddle across grand lake 1.4km
40m portage to Stratton lake
1 hour paddle along the length of Stratton lake 6.3km
Portage to St Andrew Lake (60m)
Paddled 30 mins up the lake to the campsite 1.4km
Camped at the end of the lake, near high falls

DAY TWO
590m portage to Highfalls lake
50 minute paddle 2.3km
300m portage
15 minute paddle across ooze lake 0.4km
640m portage to opalescent lake
30 minute paddle 1.1km
710m portage to cork lake
30 minute paddle to campsite 2.6km

DAY THREE
Exploring cork lake
Swimming
Relaxing

DAY FOUR
Early start packed and on the water by 8am
Backtracking through cork lake and opalescent lake
30 mins paddle (cork) 2.6km
710m portage to opalescent lake
30 mins paddle (opalescent) 1.1km
750m portage to brigham lake (mostly downhill)
15 minute paddle across brigham lake 0.5km
120m + 430m portages across brigham chute to barron canyon
Paddle along barron canyon 16km
350m portage in the middle to avoid cache rapids
Additional 100m portage to avoid squirrel rapids
Exit at squirrel depot

00:00 Intro to Portaging in Algonquin
01:02 Route Overview
01:39 Launching at Achray Campground - Grand Lake
02:46 Stratton Lake
03:52 St Andrew's Lake + Campsite
04:56 High Falls Lake
07:15 Opalescent Lake
08:21 Cork Lake + Campsite
11:47 Rest Day & Exploring Cork Lake
14:37 Barron River & Barron Canyon