Whether on foot or by bike, Muskoka’s extensive network of trails provide the perfect excuse to get out and explore. Muskoka is a must-visit for anyone interested in exploring Canada’s rich natural diversity.
Boasting a network of more than 300 kilometers of recreational trails and traversed by the Trans-Canada Trail, the world’s longest multi-use trail system, Muskoka has long been a popular destination for hikers and cyclists. Many Muskoka resorts offer well-maintained trails on their properties which join up with the larger district-wide network. One of the best trails is in Bracebridge and takes in its famous waterfalls and historic town centre, looping through forests and along rivers. A little to the south, Gravenhurst maintains nine trails suitable for hiking, skiing, snowshoeing and bicycling, including lovely lakeside jaunts along the shores of beautiful Lake Muskoka.
Muskoka’s many smaller communities, including Baysville, Dwight and Dorset on Lake of Bays, also offer numerous lakeside trails as well as pleasant historical village walking tours. The Township of Muskoka Lakes also boasts numerous fine trails, including the lunar-like scenery of the Torrance Barrens – famous as Canada’s first dark sky reserve and the perfect place for some stargazing – as well as its popular Hardy Lake and Huckleberry Rock trails.
For those seeking remoter trails, stunning Algonquin Park delivers. Home to countless trails suitable for experienced hikers, including three overnight backpacking trails, Ontario’s largest provincial park also offers a dozen shorter trails suitable for day trips. Cyclists are also well catered to with the Minnesing Mountain Bike Trail and the Old Railway Bike Trail, while skiers are served by trail networks specifically designed and reserved for cross-country skiers. Huntsville, too, boasts a number of easily accessible trails well suited to hiking and biking, as well as for winter activities like snowshoeing and Nordic skiing.
“Just two hours by car – but a world away from power-house Toronto beats the heart of Ontario’s cottage country, Muskoka.Families have gathered here for generations to revel in true wilderness. This is a place that massages the senses: the smell of pine with soft sand and needles underfoot, early mornings watch the sun burn the mist off a glassy lake, hearing the loons as they float by.” National Geographic Traveler
Add Comment