Simcoe Muskoka has many walking and hiking trails suitable for everyone with a variety of difficulty levels. Walking is such a great way to discover new parts of the Greater Simcoe Muskoka region you may not have seen before and appreciate the beautiful landscape that surrounds us.
Here’s a few highlights to inspire you to discover new walking trails and places and enjoy the outdoors before the winter comes.
Barrie’s Waterfront Trail
Barrie’s Waterfront trail is a six-kilometer trail that takes you along Kempenfelt Bay and finishes at Barrie’s City Center. This is a light walk for all ages and there are plenty of benches along the way. A couple of years ago the City of Barrie put in a boardwalk so that you can walk along the beach making for a beautiful view to enjoy while you walk.
Ardagh Bluffs
The Ardagh Bluffs walking trail is a network of different trails boasting over 17 kilometers between Ardagh Road and Mapleview Drive in Barrie. This area is environmentally protected and is home to a variety of species. There are hills and uneven land making this walk moderately difficult
Cookstown-Thornton Trans Canada Trail
There are two different access points for this trail, either from 5th sideroad near Georgian Downs or 15th Sideroad in Cookstown. Just over 15 kilometers long this multi-use trail is great for anyone who loves the outdoors. Along the trail you may see some wildlife like deer, birds, rabbits and foxes as there are some forested areas along the trail. This trail is also great to experience Fall colors as most of the trail is tree-lined by Willow and Maple trees making it the picture-perfect Fall photo.
Friday Harbour Resort Trail
The Friday Harbour Resort trails are a network of manmade trails that take you in different directions around the perimeter of Friday Harbour. Starting from The Nest Golf Club leading you to the waterfront boardwalk you will enjoy everything nature has to offer from birds singing to rustling leaves.
Lion’s Lookout Trail
Located in Huntsville, Lion’s Lookout trail will lead you to one of the most magnificent views. Beginning from Camp Kitchen Road along Muskoka River to Fairy Lake you will climb a steep hill to Lion’s Lookout which showcases a panoramic view of Downtown Huntsville. This trail is short, only 1.5 kilometers long but is all uphill making for a challenging walk, but the view is worth it.
Strawberry Point Trail
This five-kilometer trail in Bracebridge offers a panoramic view of Lake Muskoka from a lookoff point. Getting its name from Strawberry Lane as it travels along, parts of the trail are open and some forested areas. If you would like to relax before making the trip back to the start, there is a picnic area for the public to enjoy.
Scenic Caves
Located in Collingwood, the Scenic Caves will offer a great experience for a family excursion. Boasting over 15 kilometers this trail offers some steep terrain so make sure you dress appropriately. To assist visitors in safely exploring trails have been marked based on level of difficulty. The area measures 370 acres of natural beauty and with a few lookout points that are great for pictures or to just enjoy.
Wye Marsh
Boasting over 25 kilometers through a network of trails you will get to enjoy some woodland and wetland areas. This trail is suitable for everyone and welcomes those with strollers or assistive devices as the trail is hard packed with some points of trail being a boardwalk.
Oro-Medonte Rail Trail
This abandoned rail line was turned into a trail, giving users the opportunity to explore Oro-Medonte along the way. As you go along the gravel route you will see wetlands and marshes providing the perfect habitat to see many different species like blue herons, beavers and active osprey nests.
North Shore Trail
A three-kilometer multi-use recreational trail that runs along the Barrie’s North Shore of Kempenfelt Bay. Formerly a rail line, you will be able to see a view of the bay as you walk. The trail is all one level making it an easy walk and accessible for everyone.
Sunnidale Park
Sunnidale Arboretum is a beautiful trail that is 3 kilometers long taking you around the perimeter of the park. Walking, running or biking, this trail is perfect for everyone to enjoy. There’s also a separate trail which take you down through the forest where you will see all kind of species like squirrels, rabbits and many birds. The trail is steep and has many hills and winding roads making it more difficult than the park trail.
If you try out any of these trails, tag us in your photos @yournorthlife.
The BDAR Team