The Crack — Attraction in Killarney

The Crack. It was a great experience. The feeling of satisfaction you get as well as the view is worth the hike up. I did this hike in 3 hours and I am an overweight, 42 year old guy who other than running around at work does not exercise regularly. I'm sure if you are looking to do it faster it is easily attainable. It is recommended to give yourself about 4 hours to complete. BRING PROPER GEAR! Proper footwear is necessary. You can do this trail in running shoes but I would recommend against that. They don't have the same grip and stability as hiking shoes and the trail, even on the flat sections, is quite rocky so you will feel every pointy rock through those Nikes. Yes bring water, snacks. If you use hiking poles then maybe for the first half but the second half you will want your hands free. I brought gloves and found them very useful when pulling myself up by grabbing onto rocks or trees. Honestly, leave the dog at home, but if you insist then from what I observed put a harness on them so you can help them out. This really isn't a trail for pets, young children, or the elderly. There is a variety of terrain on this trail which I tried to show in my pics. The first 1.5-2 kms is a flat gradual descent but still the rocks are fairly loose and if you are careless you could still roll an ankle. Lots of sections with large roots. You get a big section with smooth rock which, if it is wet, can be slippery hence proper footwear and intentional steps and then the final boss are the large boulders. In this section you will be using more than two points of contact, sometimes four. If you carry bear spray then bring it but leave it in your bag. I didn't feel the need to have it out as there was enough traffic on the trail to hopefully keep them at a distance. The view at the top is beautiful and you will want to take it in and live in the moment. Don't rush your time at the peak. Eat your snack, bring some coffee in a thermos and just be one with the La Cloche range. The trip down might be a little more difficult, definitely harder on the knees and more chances of mis-steps and slips so choose your path wisely. This was a cool trail to hike I hope you enjoy it. I will do it again someday.

Edit. One thing I noticed on the trail was the amount of unprepared hikers. I would call them Tik Tok hikers because when I saw them, a number of smaller groups, they are wearing clothes that you pose for pictures you intend on sharing on social media in. It was pouring rain... no rain gear. On a strenuous trail, no boots one group they were wearing ankle socks and Airwalks. No water, no supplies. One couple got to the open area before the real scramble to the crack and they turned around and said forget it LOL. To each their...

The view from the top is amazing. One of the best views I've seen in Ontario. This is also one of the most difficult hikes in Ontario due to the steep incline and the need to climb over boulders but it's still accessible to anyone in good physical condition. However, proper hiking shoes would also go an extremely long way.

The hike is not 7.2 kilometres, as AllTrails lists it as. It's closer to 8.5-9 roundtrip. Based on their number, I mistakenly thought the peak was by the 3.5 kilometre mark but, in reality, that was just after the first set of boulders. There is currently a detour around the main trail due to maintenance, which would account for the discrepancy.

As other reviewers have mentioned, the first 3 kilometres are flat. The last 1.5 or so is on an incline and require some climbing. You will likely have to use your hands so I would recommend you bring some gloves. We went in mid-October when the high was 7 Celsius and it was perfect for the hike. It did rain the night before but this didn't affect the route much. However, it also rained again shortly after we reached the summit and that made conditions on the way down slippery, so dry conditions would help. The route is mostly shaded but the later sections are open so keep that in mind if you're going during the summer. Personally I would not recommend doing this trail in hot weather.

In terms of the difficult portion at the end, there are sections with boulders followed by flat ground, so you'll always have spots where you can catch your breath, if you need them. The boulders are also well trodden, so you never have to think too hard about the best way up. I can see the climb being made way more difficult when it's crowded. My suggestion would be to leave early. We got there later than we planned, about 9:30am on a Saturday, and the parking lot was almost full. Traffic on the route wasn't an issue. By the time we turned around, we ran into some congestion while descending. At 2:30pm, as we were leaving, cars were parked all up and down the main road and people who drove in from Toronto were just starting. Keep in mind there is a 14 dollar charge for parking. I have no idea whether the people who parked on the street also paid for parking.

Obviously, pack a bag with water and snacks. It took us five hours total, including photos at the top, but I can see it taking longer for others. There are also no washrooms anywhere on the trail, including by the parking lot.

In the end, this was one of the best trails I've done. We're already planning another trip back next...

A Challenging yet Rewarding Ascent - Mountain Hike Review

I recently tackled the medium to difficult hike up The Crack and was blown away by the experience. The trail was well-marked and well-maintained, but don't let that fool you - this hike is not for the faint of heart.

The ascent was steep and rocky, with some scrambling required in certain sections. The elevation gain was significant, and I found myself stopping to catch my breath more times than I can count. But the views from the top? Absolutely breathtaking.

The sense of accomplishment I felt when I reached the summit was exhilarating, and the scenery made every step worth it.

If you're an experienced hiker looking for a challenge, or just seeking a more rugged adventure, The Crack is an excellent choice. Just be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen, as the exposed terrain offers little shade.

Highlights:

Challenging yet rewarding hike Breathtaking views from the summit Well-marked and well-maintained trail Sense of accomplishment at the summit

Tips and Recommendations:

Bring plenty of water and snacks Wear sturdy hiking boots and layers for changing weather Be prepared for steep and rocky terrain Take breaks to rest and enjoy the views

Overall, I highly recommend the crack for those seeking a more rugged hiking experience. Just be prepared for the challenge, and don't forget to take...