HIGHLAND
BACKPACKING
TRAIL
3 DAYS, 2 NIGHTS
~35 km
Skill Level: Advanced
Ages: 18+
Max Group Size: 6 + 2 Leads
Start/Finish: Mew Lake Campground - Highland Backpacking Trail Trailhead, Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario
Cost: $349.99 + hst
Ages: 18+
Note: This trip has a mandatory pre-trip virtual information session on Tuesday, August 26 from 7-8 pm EST. Registration ends Monday, August 25.
ITINERARY
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DAY 1
📍 Start: Highland Backpacking Trail Trailhead (Mew Lake Campground)
📍 Finish: Provoking Lake East
📏 Distance: ~10 km
⏳ Time: 3-4 hoursMorning
10:00 am – Arrive at Highland Backpacking Trailhead (Mew Lake Campground) and register personnel and vehicles. SHE Ventures will be there to help you!
10:30 am– Begin hike. The trail follows a gradual incline through forested terrain, offering glimpses of small lakes and streams.
Take breaks as needed along the way.
Afternoon
2:00 pm – Arrive at Provoking Lake East and enjoy lunch by the lake.
3:00 pm – Set up camp.
Evening
4:00 pm – Fire building, water treatment, and food preparation and storage tutorials led by SHE Ventures.
6:00 pm – Cook dinner and watch the sunset over the water.
8:00 pm – Relax by the fire (if permitted) and play games.
Overnight: Provoking Lake East
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DAY 2
📍 Start: Provoking Lake East
📍 Finish: Harness Lake
📏 Distance: ~15 km
⏳ Time: 5-6 hoursMorning
7:00 am – Wake up, enjoy sunrise over Provoking Lake.
8:00 am – Breakfast and pack up camp.
9:30 am – Begin the hike towards Harness Lake. The trail features rolling hills, scenic ridges, and occasional steep climbs.
Afternoon
2:00 pm – Arrive at Harness Lake and enjoy lunch.
3:00 pm – Set up camp.
Enjoy a refreshing swim or relax by the lake.
Evening
5:00 pm – Cook dinner and take in the remote backcountry setting.
7:30 pm – Watch the sunset and unwind after a long day of hiking.
9:00 pm – Last night in the backcountry! Ask SHE Ventures for any tips or tricks.
Overnight: Harness Lake
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DAY 3
📍 Start: Harness Lake
📍 Finish: Highland Backpacking Trail Trailhead (Mew Lake Campground)
📏 Distance: ~10 km
⏳ Time: 3-4 hoursMorning
7:00 am – Wake up, enjoy the peaceful morning at Harness Lake.
8:00 am – Breakfast and pack up camp.
9:30 am – Begin the return hike towards the trailhead. The route offers a mix of forested paths and gradual declines.
Afternoon
1:00 pm – Arrive back at the trailhead, celebrate completing the Highland Backpacking Trail, and head to your favourite fast-food joint!
what’s included
GUIDE
Maximum 1:6 ratio
Certified Wilderness First Responder
equipment
Tarp
Stove
Kitchen utensils
SOS satellite device/GPS
Signalling devices
Bear spray
Camp saw
First aid kit
Water purification system
Adjustable declination compass
Physical waterproof map
Fire starter
Biodegradable soap
Polycord
Download the gear checklist below to see what you need to bring. Checked boxes will be supplied by SHE Ventures.
TRAINING
Essential gear and backpack fitting
Water treatment and purification
Food preparation and storage
Bear safety and camp set-up
Hands-on gear demonstration
what’s excluded
transportation
Transportation to/from trailhead
SELECT EQUIPMENT
Premium lightweight tent
Backpack (45-60 L)
*Tents can be rented for $15 pp/day and packs can be rented for $12.50 pp/day. All tents are double occupancy.
MEALS
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner for all 3 days
Snacks
Coffee
Tea
permits
Vehicle permit and registration for trip length (~$15 per vehicle per day, payable to Ontario Parks upon arrival)
Backcountry camping permit (~$13 per person per day, payable to Ontario Parks upon arrival)
SHE Ventures reserves the campsites in advance. We will assist you with registering yourself and your vehicle at the Mew Lake Campground park office upon arrival.
Meet your guide
Meet Katie — SHE Ventures co-lead for the 2025 3-day, 2-night Highland Backpacking Trail hike through Algonquin, and sister of the founder. Katie is an experienced outdoor adventurer whose journey spans continents, climates, and causes. From biking hundreds of kilometres across Spain to hitchhiking over 3,000 km from Alberta to Alaska, she’s never been one to take the easy route.
With over 1,200 volunteer hours under her belt, Katie has built schools in Mexico, worked on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects in Guatemala, and removed invasive species in Ontario. She holds a Certificate in Permaculture Design from the Blue Mountains Permaculture Institute in Australia, an Environmental Technician diploma from Georgian College, and a Bachelor of Arts from Wilfred Laurier University. Katie completed her Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification in 2021.
Katie hiked 650 km of the Appalachian Trail in fall of 2016, has completed Killarney’s La Cloche Silhouette Trail, and is a previous employee at SAIL (2014–2018) where she provided guidance to backcountry campers. She also worked at a botanical farm for multiple seasons and brings a wealth of plant knowledge. She’s spent several years living out of vehicles road-tripping through every U.S. state except North Dakota and Hawaii, and every Canadian province and territory except the Northwest Territories.
Katie’s drive to connect people to nature is matched only by her depth of knowledge and lived experience. Whether it’s a hike, campfire chat, or a backcountry training session, you’re in good hands with Katie leading the way. Her kind soul and pure heart will ensure that any trip she leads is filled with good vibes only. We love Katie, and so will you!
The second lead for this trip will be SHE Ventures founder, Lauri Corlett. Learn more about Lauri here.
cancellation policy
Cancellations made on or before August 16, 2025 are fully refundable, minus a 5% administrative and Square processing fee. Cancellations made after August 16, 2025 are non-refundable. However, all trips are transferrable to another qualified woman aged 18 or older prior to pre-trip information session being held August 26, 2025.
A minimum of 2 participants are required to run this trip. Registrants will be fully refunded if 2+ people have not registered by Monday, August 25.