Simcoe County: Trails, Paths and Historic Sites
Accommodation in Simcoe County
Simcoe County can be explored through a range of visitor interests: the Simcoe County Loop Trail is a 160-kilometre loop through nine communities, while historic sites and winter multi-use trails appeal to other interests. When planning your stay, it is worth considering these offerings separately; their mention does not imply a shared route.
Loop Trail and Landscape
The Simcoe County Loop Trail is predominantly a car-free multi-use rail trail. Its length of 160 kilometres describes the entire loop, not a single day’s journey. The trail reaches Georgian Bay, Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching. If you would like to include a longer loop in your trip plans, this provides a clear geographical reference.
The county’s geographical extent is also useful for finding your way: to the east, it reaches the shore of Lake Simcoe, and to the west, Georgian Bay. The landscape includes gently rolling sand dunes, a rugged escarpment, nutrient-rich marsh soil, dense forests, sandy beaches and clear waters. These features shape different parts of the county’s landscape.
Trails in Springwater Provincial Park
Cycling is permitted on all trails in Springwater Provincial Park, with one clearly specified exception: the 1.5-kilometre interpretive children’s trail. If you want to explore the park by bike, you can take this restriction into account when choosing a trail.
In winter, 10 kilometres of multi-use trails are available there for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. These are two different ways to use the trails. The stated total length of the winter trails is a useful, specific reference for your own planning; it does not make any claims about conditions on a particular travel date. Simcoe County thus offers a documented winter alternative to a stay focused exclusively on ski resorts.
Culture and History
Sainte-Marie among the Hurons was the headquarters of the French Jesuit mission among the Wendat. The site was reconstructed in its original location and brings its history to life with costumed historical interpreters and activities. This gives a visit a clear historical focus and sets it apart from a tour centred primarily on landscapes and trails.
Discovery Harbour is located on Penetanguishene Bay. Guided and self-guided tours are offered there with knowledgeable, costumed staff. Fort Willow is recognized as a provincial and national historic site; visitors can explore the active archaeological site on a self-guided visit. The different formats help you choose between a guided experience and exploring independently for a cultural visit.
Visitor Information
The main building of the Simcoe County Museum is fully accessible. This accessibility also applies to many outdoor areas with historic and exhibition buildings, as well as to the hiking trails. If you include the museum in your travel plans, you will find specific information about the accessibility of certain areas; the statement about the outdoor areas explicitly applies to many, not all.
For additional local information, you can also visit the pages for Duntroon, Creemore and Collingwood.
For the broader travel overview: Ontario.
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