Hiking & Walking Trails in Barrie

Sunnidale Park
East side of Sunnidale Rd, between Hwy 400 & Cundles Rd. W
Description: Additional features include playground equipment, community centre, arboretum & gardens, and off-leash dog area.
Directions: Follow Anne St. to Cundles Rd. and turn right (or Bayfield St. to Cundles Rd. and turn left) follow a few minutes down the road to Sunnidale Rd. and the park.

Waterfront Trail Along Kempenfelt Bay
Description: Approximately 6.7 km of mostly flat, paved trail. Access anywhere along Barrie's Lakefront parks, with parking at the Southshore Community Centre and other lots along Lakeshore Dr.

Ardagh Bluffs
Description: Runs through the wooded area of County Rd. 27 and Ardagh Rd. in the south west end of Barrie.
Directions: Access along Ardagh Rd. near Fire Station 4.

Bayshore Ridge
Description: Parkland trails running through the Tyndale area, connecting with Wilkins Walk.
Directions: Access from Cox Mill Rd., just south of Dock Rd.

Wilkins Walk
Description: Parkland trails, running from Wilkins Beach south to Bayshore Ridge and continuing south of Big Bay Pt Rd.
Directions: Access at Big Bay Point Rd., or at Wilkins Beach.

Trails in the Greater Barrie Area

Copeland Forest Trails (Ministry of Natural Resources)
2289 Nursery Rd, Midhurst, 705-725-7500
Web: www.mnr.gov.on.ca, No motorized vehicles permitted
Directions: Parking available off of Ingram Rd. Follow Hwy 400 N. to Hwy 93. South on Hwy 93 towards Craighurst. Follow the signs.

Fort Willow
Portage Trail, Springwater Township
Description: A historical site and conservation area. Fort Willow sits on a promontory overlooking the Minesing Swamp. It is part of the historical Nine Mile Portage used during the War of 1812.
Directions: For road access, take County Rd. 90 to Grenfel Rd. Travel 5 km north. An alternate route is George Johnston Rd. off either County Rd. 90 or Hwy 26, then go west on Portage Trail for 3 km. The route is well signed. You can park there, and at the back descend a set of steps to reach the trail.

Ganaraska Trail
Web: http://www.ganaraska-hiking-trail.ca/
Description: The Barrie section starts at the Sugarbush Estates near Horseshoe Valley Rd., about 10 km east of Hwy 400. The trail passes through the rolling moraine hills of Oro-Medonte Township, past Horseshoe Resort, crosses Hwy 400 west of Craighurst, Hwy 26 west of Midhurst, and heads west, through the Minesing Swamp to Hwy 90, where it ends after 50 kms. The terrain is varied and is suitable for novices. There are the rolling sand hills, the scenic Willow Creek Valley near Midhurst, forests, quiet country paths, the historic Willow Creek depot and much more. The section going through the Minesing Swamp can be very wet in spots early in the spring. The actual head of the trail is in Port Hope on the north shore of Lake Ontario and after more the 400 kms connects with the Bruce Trail near Glen Huron. In Port Hope, the Ganaraska Hiking Trail connects with the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail. In the Ganaraska Forest, the trail crosses the Oak Ridges Trail. In the hills of Oro-Medonte Township, between Barrie and Orillia, a branch trail veers off to Midland and then turns south, through Wasaga Beach, to rejoin the main trail just east of Glen Huron.
Directions: Follow Hwy 400N and exit at Horseshoe Valley Rd. Travel approx. 10km east

Minesing Swamp
Description: Open year round, contact Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority at (705) 424-1479, for current conditions. Unique 6,000ha wetland wilderness located west of Barrie in the heart of the Nottawasaga Valley. Featuring a diverse selection of plants and animals within a range of habitats including boreal and Carolinian forests. The 1 km Meadowmouse Trail begins at the info kiosk on George Johnston Rd. and offers views of the old Lake Algonquin shoreline that towers above, and forms the south-eastern boundary of the swamp. The short, well groomed route also traverses a large expanse of marsh habitat. The Mayer's Marsh Trail can be reached via the Trans Canada Trail and travels a short jaunt alongside Willow Creek. There are excellent views of marsh and open water habitats.
Directions: For hiking and skiing, there are several access points including George Johnston Rd, and the Sunnidale-Vespra Townline. Access for the popular Nottawasaga River Route is located at the NVCA office on Simcoe Rd 90, just east of
Angus. Another less traveled but scenic route for paddling is the Mad River with access at Simcoe Rd 10 just west of Angus.

Mayers Marsh is part of the Minesing Swamp. A guide to the common plants of Mayer's Marsh is available from Tourism Barrie. The wetland area is responsible for the important job of filtering and cleaning our water. Bird watching is a good activity here. To reach this area specifically, follow the North Simcoe Rail Trail from Hwy 26 (parking available) or from Vespra Valley Rd, which is off Hwy 26 as well.

North Simcoe Railtrail
P.O. Box 272, Midhurst, (705) 728-9621 Web: www.simcoecountytrails.net/nsrt/info.html
Description: Begins about 9 km west of Barrie and goes 30 km to the Tiny Township line, just north of Elmvale. Part of the trail passes through Mayer's Marsh. A visit to Fort Willow is just off of this trail as well. The section north of Anten Mills allows for all uses, including horseback, snowmobiles.
Directions: West on County Rd. 90 to Pinegrove Rd. Follow north about 3 km to the trail. Park along the road.

Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority - Tiffin Centre for Conservation
8195 8th Line, Utopia, 4km south of Hwy 90, (705) 424-1479
Description: The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority is your public agency dedicated to the preservation of a healthy environment providing the expertise to help protect our water and land. We have 13 Conservation Areas and over 11,000 acres of conservation land located throughout our watershed, including lands in the Minesing Swamp, on the Niagara Escarpment, and on the Oak Ridges Moraine.
We deliver a comprehensive environmental education program at the Tiffin Centre for Conservation, in partnership with Beyond the Horizon Outdoor Adventures and our local school school boards. The Annual Spring Tonic Maple Syrup Festival is held in late March and early April.
Come paddle a world-class wetland or hike a trail. You will leave more refreshed and better informed.
For more information on the services we provide, please visit our website at www.nvca.on.ca and our administration centre at the address listed above.
Directions: Dunlop St. (Hwy 90) West, past hydro wires and reach the 8th concession, turn left onto the 8th and continue 4 km south. Trails begin at the Tiffin Centre.

Oro Medonte Rail Trail
705-487-2171, Web: www.oro-medonte.ca
Description: 28 km trail following an abandoned CN rail line. Running parallel to the west shore of Lake Simcoe, passing through the communities of Shanty Bay, Oro Station and Hawkestone.
Directions: Shanty Bay Rd. to Line 1 North. Follow to parking lot.

Springwater Provincial Park
Hwy 26, Midhurst, 705-728-7393, Web: www.OntarioParks.com
Description:Day use park (145 hectares). Contains approximately 13kms of trails (longest trail is 5km). Woodland Nature Trail is 2km, which displays various forest environments. Features include picnic shelters, BBQ's, playground equipment, baseball, horseshoe pits, shuffleboard, and wildlife, waterfowl & birds of prey exhibits
Directions: Follow Bayfield St. North to Hwy 26, turn left onto Hwy 26 and follow to the park (approx. 5 min along 26)

Trans Canada Trail
The Trans Canada Trail Foundation, 43 Westminster North, Montreal, Quebec, 705-458-4037
Web: http://www.tctrail.ca/
Description: A 220 km trail throughout Simcoe County (100 km currently open for use). See North Simcoe Rail Trail for information on the section closest to Barrie. The Waterfront Trail is also considered part of this trail.

Great websites for trail and hiking information:
Simcoe County Trails Website: www.simcoecountytrails.net
Hike Ontario Website: www.hikeontario.com
Brereton Field Naturalists Club of Barrie: www.breretonfieldnaturalists.org

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