Come on out to Frontenac Provincial Park this fall to take on the...

Frontenac Challenge

Presented by The Friends of Frontenac Park and Frontenac Provincial Park

Enjoy the splendour of the fall colour of Frontenac Provincial Park by hiking each of the 11 loops that form the Frontenac Challenge within the months of September and October (from September 01 to October 31).

Successful participants will be presented with a certificate of accomplishment at the Frontenac Challenge celebratory BBQ in November.

For more information contact the Park Office at Frontenac Provincial Park at 613-376-3489.

What is the Frontenac Challenge:

The Frontenac Challenge encourages hikers to enjoy the splendor of the fall colours of Frontenac Park by hiking each of the 11 loops that form the Frontenac Challenge within the months of September and October. The Frontenac Challenge was originally suggested by Park Superintendent Lloyd Chapman in 1993 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Ontario Provincial Park System. Only 14 people completed the Challenge in 1993, compared to over 125 people in recent years.

What is the Junior Hiking Challenge:

New in 2011, the Junior Hiking Challenge was introduced by the Friends of Frontenac, to encourage the participation of youth up to 12 years of age. The Junior Challenge is run the same way as the Frontenac Challenge, except that young hikers only need to complete any six of the main trail loops in the park. They register separately and individually as Junior Challengers, and when they have completed six trail loops within September and October, they return their completed 'passport' to the Park Office. Youth completing the Junior Challenge are recognized with a certificate and their name on a plaque that hangs in the Park Office.

Frontenac Challenge BBQ:

Join us and your fellow hikers for a great time of recounting your Challenge experiences at the Frontenac Challenge BBQ at the Park Office on November 09 at 10:30am. Successful hikers will be presented with their Certificates of Accomplishment at the BBQ.

Recognition of success:

Hikers completing the Challenge 5 times will have their name permanently engraved on the "800km Club" plaque. Those who complete 10 Challenges will be recognized on the "10 Challenge Under Their Boots" plaque.

NOTE: You are welcome to complete the challenge more than once in the same year if you wish but it will be counted as one challenge on the certificate/plaque.

Tips for a successful Challenge:

• Take care of your feet! You've got 160 km of Frontenac Park to cover within two months. As the trails are rugged, a sturdy pair of hiking boots are recommended.
• Ensure your day pack includes lunch, snacks, plenty of water, rain gear and a first aid kit.
• Hike in small groups, get an early start and let someone know when and where you are hiking.
• Take advantage of the better weather and longer daylight hours in September to complete the longer trails.
• Combine two short neighbouring loops into one hike. You must hike the section of trail that is common to both loops, but at least you won't have to hike into the loop a second time.
• You may hike either side of the Slide Lake Loop that circles Slide Lake. The western side is shorter, but more rugged than the eastern side. The sign with the name of to be logged is not located on the section of Slide Lake Loop that circles Slide Lake.

A few rules of the Challenge:

• Have fun and enjoy Frontenac Park!!!
• Hikers must register for the Challenge at the Park Office. A log sheet will be issued to each participant at the time of registering.
• Successful completion of the Challenge requires each hiker to hike all 11 loops that for the Challenge. Located somewhere highly visible on each loop is a red and yellow sign with a name on it that hikers must note on their log sheet. Hikers must return the completed log sheet back to the Park Office to be acknowledged by The Friends of Frontenac Park and Frontenac Park as having completed the Challenge. Please return the log sheet as soon as you have completed the Challenge.
• Loops can be commenced from the closest parking lot.
• Each of the 11 loops must be hiked in their entirety. Sections of trail that is common to two loops must be hiked twice.

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