Tackle one of the greatest Algonquin canoeing challenges, canoeing the length of Algonquin in the legendary Brent Run.
You'll travel from the top of Algonquin Park all the way down to Highway 60 in this incredible test of endurance and determination. Covering roughly 80 km with 11km of portages, this journey takes you through the heart of Algonquin Park’s rugged wilderness, combining long paddling stretches with challenging portages that require strength, patience, and planning.
Traditionally, the Brent Run involves travelling the 160km from Canoe Lake to Cedar Lake, right at the top of the park then back down again in less that 24 hours. This is a superhuman feat that very few have accomplished - to put into perspective just how challenging that is, we'll be doing half of the run over 5 days. Don't let that fool you into thinking this will be more relaxed...
We'll be getting up early each day and putting in long hours (up to 12 hours a day!) to make it to our next campsite each night. Along the way, you'll begin to understand how special Algonquin is - covering huge distances without once coming into contact with civilization.
Expect to navigate a mix of serene lakes and winding rivers, each with its own character and obstacles, from choppy open waters to twisting, narrow channels. Portages along the route can range from manageable to gruelling, with some stretches featuring steep climbs, uneven terrain, and slippery rocks that will test both your body and your gear.
Wildlife sightings are common, with the possibility of encountering moose, beavers, and even black bears along the way. Weather conditions can shift quickly, bringing wind or rain that adds another layer of difficulty to the paddle. It’s a challenge for those seeking to push their limits while soaking in the raw, untouched landscapes of one of Ontario’s most iconic wilderness areas.
Epic canoe trips have a way of making you feel truly alive. Your WU trip mates will feel like family by the end of this trip, having conquered real obstacles and banked so many incredible experiences together. Like all of our Epics, this is a trip you'll never forget.
You'll be led by our Lead Guide, Rory and Sarah, both of whom come with a huge amount of wilderness experience. They'll not only help you accomplish more than you knew you were capable of but also have real fun while you're doing it. Both have taught canoeing, lead trips across Canada and around the world and Sarah is a qualified Doctor with a particular interest in Wilderness Medicine. You couldn't be in better hands.
It's no exaggeration to say that you'll be among a very small number of people who've tackled this route. We've never seen an organized trip here and that's for good reason - it's incredibly hard to pull off and will be the hardest canoe trip Wilderness Union has tackled yet. You'll be shuttled up to the top of the park with all of your gear for the week making this a hard logistical challenge. Beyond the new muscles and friendships you've acquired, you'll also have bragging rights for a long time to come.
You can't cut corners on a trip like this and we've thought of everything. Among other things your trip registration includes:
We'll have vegan/veg and meat options for meals with everything from dinner on the first night until lunch of the last morning fully catered. Please note, we may stop for a celebratory meal at a restaurant on our return that will be additional.
Sample menu
Breakfast - Fancy oatmeal, topped with nuts, dried fruits and cinnamon flakes
Lunch - Tortilla wraps with hummus, pepper, cheese and dried meat for carnivores
Dinner - Thai curry with chicken or tofu
Tackle one of the greatest Algonquin canoeing challenges, canoeing the length of Algonquin in the legendary Brent Run.
You'll travel from the top of Algonquin Park all the way down to Highway 60 in this incredible test of endurance and determination. Covering roughly 80 km with 11km of portages, this journey takes you through the heart of Algonquin Park’s rugged wilderness, combining long paddling stretches with challenging portages that require strength, patience, and planning.
Traditionally, the Brent Run involves travelling the 160km from Canoe Lake to Cedar Lake, right at the top of the park then back down again in less that 24 hours. This is a superhuman feat that very few have accomplished - to put into perspective just how challenging that is, we'll be doing half of the run over 5 days. Don't let that fool you into thinking this will be more relaxed...
We'll be getting up early each day and putting in long hours (up to 12 hours a day!) to make it to our next campsite each night. Along the way, you'll begin to understand how special Algonquin is - covering huge distances without once coming into contact with civilization.
Expect to navigate a mix of serene lakes and winding rivers, each with its own character and obstacles, from choppy open waters to twisting, narrow channels. Portages along the route can range from manageable to gruelling, with some stretches featuring steep climbs, uneven terrain, and slippery rocks that will test both your body and your gear.
Wildlife sightings are common, with the possibility of encountering moose, beavers, and even black bears along the way. Weather conditions can shift quickly, bringing wind or rain that adds another layer of difficulty to the paddle. It’s a challenge for those seeking to push their limits while soaking in the raw, untouched landscapes of one of Ontario’s most iconic wilderness areas.
Epic canoe trips have a way of making you feel truly alive. Your WU trip mates will feel like family by the end of this trip, having conquered real obstacles and banked so many incredible experiences together. Like all of our Epics, this is a trip you'll never forget.
You'll be led by our Lead Guide, Rory and Sarah, both of whom come with a huge amount of wilderness experience. They'll not only help you accomplish more than you knew you were capable of but also have real fun while you're doing it. Both have taught canoeing, lead trips across Canada and around the world and Sarah is a qualified Doctor with a particular interest in Wilderness Medicine. You couldn't be in better hands.
It's no exaggeration to say that you'll be among a very small number of people who've tackled this route. We've never seen an organized trip here and that's for good reason - it's incredibly hard to pull off and will be the hardest canoe trip Wilderness Union has tackled yet. You'll be shuttled up to the top of the park with all of your gear for the week making this a hard logistical challenge. Beyond the new muscles and friendships you've acquired, you'll also have bragging rights for a long time to come.
You can't cut corners on a trip like this and we've thought of everything. Among other things your trip registration includes:
We'll have vegan/veg and meat options for meals with everything from dinner on the first night until lunch of the last morning fully catered. Please note, we may stop for a celebratory meal at a restaurant on our return that will be additional.
Sample menu
Breakfast - Fancy oatmeal, topped with nuts, dried fruits and cinnamon flakes
Lunch - Tortilla wraps with hummus, pepper, cheese and dried meat for carnivores
Dinner - Thai curry with chicken or tofu
Thursday July 31st
05:00 - Early start as we leave from Keele Station towards Algonquin Park
Afternoon - Hit the water, and begin our journey
Distance covered - 6km paddle, 1km portage
Friday August 1st
Our longest day with 8 portages
Distance covered - 18km paddle, 4.4km portage
Saturday August 2nd
Our day with the most paddling but least portaging
Distance covered - 21km paddle, .5km portage
Sunday August 3rd
6 portages over our second longest day
Distance covered - 17km paddle, 2.5km portage
Monday August 4th
Racing to the finish line
Distance covered - 13km paddle, .8km portage
21:00 - Anticipated return to Toronto
Instalment Payments
You'll be able to pay for this trip in 4 interest-free instalments, making it easier to plan your summer fun budget! Look for the option to pay with Klarna at checkout.
Camping Gear Rental
We have affordable sleeping mats and sleeping bags available for rent at checkout for anyone who does not have their own. Canoes, tents, plates, cutlery and mugs are all included
Sleeping Arrangements
You'll sleep in spacious, shared tents, separated by gender.
We're initially opening up this trip to 10 people to gauge demand and we'll need at least 10 people to go ahead. If you don't make the first 10, please add yourself to the waitlist - our goal is to get enough people that we can bring another vehicle, taking us up to 16 people total.
Carbon Offsetting
Wilderness Union offsets the estimated carbon emissions of every trip by investing in a global portfolio of verified carbon reduction projects.
Please read and understand this before registering
Cancellations made:
More than 10 days before the event: Will receive a full refund minus a 5% admin fee.
7–10 days before the event: 50% refund.
Less than 7 days before the event: No refunds.
Weather or emergency cancellations: If an event is canceled due to severe weather or other uncontrollable factors, members can receive a full credit to their account.
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An unbeatable outdoor crew
This is more than a trip. Wilderness Union is about community first and you'll share incredible experiences with people who are your kind of crazy.
Teamwork
You'll challenge yourself but also learn how to overcome obstacles as a team. These are the kind of experiences that make you feel alive.
Wildlife
Algonquin is teeming with wildlife. You'll get to experience it over our 5 days in some of the most remote regions of the park.
How fit do I need to be?
This is a type 2 fun trip, it'll be challenging at times but you'll be so glad that you did it. If you're up for that challenge, you'll have a great time. You should be in decent physical shape but don't need to be an endurance athlete! One of our goals with this adventure is showing you that you're capable of more than you may know.
Can I self drive?
Not for this trip - this is a one-way trip so you wouldn't be able to pick your car back up at the end of the adventure.
Do I need to be a strong paddler?
You're going to rapidly improve during the course of this trip but you should have some basic canoeing ability. We will have multiple opportunities for you to gain experience throughout the summer in advance of the trip.
Can I bring a dog?
Not on this trip, sorry!
