Kinghurst Forest Nature Reserve,
south of Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada

Description of the woods:

The rustle of maple leaves in the wind far above your head and the smell of wild leek below your feet are only a few of the delights you will encounter at Kinghurst Forest. This 693 acre (281 hectare) reserve in Grey County contains a remarkable, mature maple-beech forest that is a rare example of pre-settlement woodlands in southern Ontario. Many of the trees are 250-300 years old and tower over 100 feet in height. The forest clearly show the vertical stratification characteristic of a true, old-growth forest. A spectacular show of wildflowers greets visitors in the spring, as do provincially rare plants such as hart's-tongue fern (Phyllitis scolopendrium var. americana). Designated as a provincially significant Life Science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI), Kinghurst Forest is a special place that offers the naturalist a rare glimpse into Ontario's natural past.

The Kinghurst Forest Nature Reserve is located in Grey County, Chatsworth Township, 27km south of Owen Sound.

There are a number of walking trails on the reserve, details of which can be found here.

Further information about this woodland can be found here.

This woodland is under the protection of Ontario Nature.

Pictures of the woodland:

 
Click arrow to show other pictures
 

To locate your woodland:

Please do come and visit your woodland, we ask that you follow the walking trails to avoid disturbing the wildlife.

Click here to see the whole 693 acres of Kinghurst Forest Nature Reserve on a map. This map can be zoomed in to show an aerial photo and zoomed out to show a map of how to get there.

To find your own piece of woodland, Login (the button is on the menu above) and hit the 'Display on a Map' link.

Directions:

To visit Kinghurst Forest, follow Highway 6 north from Durham to Dornoch and turn west onto County Road 25. Travel about 3.5 km to Concession 4 and turn north. After 2 km the road starts to curve, with trees closing in on either side. On the west side of the road, you will see the first of two gates. Beyond it is an old track that doubles as a great walking trail that runs to the 6th concession road. PLEASE NOTE: This is a snowmobile trail in winter. Use caution when on the trail.

Parking can be found further north on the road. The second gate leads to a small parking lot. From this point you can either walk south to the snowmobile trail or start walking along the trail that leads from the parking lot.

You may also enter from the west side of the property. Proceed north on Concession 6 (which is a few kilometres further west on County Road 25). 2 km up Concession 6, just past a side-road on your left, is a driveway leading to a white house and an old wooden barn. There is an Ontario Nature reserve sign marking the entrance. You may park just off the road. DO NOT BLOCK THE DRIVEWAY OR PROCEED UP THE DRIVEWAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE. You may proceed along the drive that runs past the white house. The white house is occupied. Please respect their access and privacy. The trail you are on runs across the entire property and is the same trail that can be entered from Concession 4.

A map of the walking trails can be found here.

Property information is as follows:

Concession IV, lots 26 and 27
Concession V, lot 27 and eastern part of 28

 

Copyright © 2008 Trees In Trust.