Great Lakes Waterfront Trail

Explore Georgian Bay by Bike through Simcoe County

Difficulty: Intermediate Length: 255 KM Start: Collingwood or Orillia

Stretching over 3,600km (1,865 miles) from Sault Ste Marie to the Quebec border on the St. Lawrence River, the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail is a signed route of interconnected roads and trails linking over 150 communities and First Nations along the Canadian shores of the Great Lakes. A celebration of nature and culture, the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail is part of a strategy to protect and connect people to the largest group of freshwater lakes on earth. 

The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail in Simcoe County is an (up to) 255km multi-day bike-packing tour. Now fully signed and mapped, the route follows kilometres of roads and trails hugging the Georgian Bay coastline and drifting through rural Simcoe County, and even parts of Muskoka. You can hit all the great beaches, visit numerous Provincial Parks and historic sites through 15 communities, famous for their history, scenery and amazing butter tarts. The route includes 2 major signed loops (Thunder Beach and Big Chute) and joins with the Simcoe County Loop Trail, giving you a lot of options to make that epic ride.

Where to Park

1. Take the GoTrain up to Barrie and connect to the route via Rail Trail.
2. Hotels – if you stay the first night in a hotel they will often allow you to leave your car for the remainder of the trip.

Where to Stay

Simcoe County has a wide selection of designated cycling-friendly accommodations, including camping, hotels, and B&Bs. For a full listing, download the PDF map or order a printed copy.

Overnight towns include: Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Midland, and Orillia.

Bike You Should Ride

The Great Lakes Waterfront Trust Trail is primarily paved, with a mix of on-road and multi-use rail trail. The Rail Trail in Collingwood is hardpacked limestone, then the route turns to paved trail and road for the remainder of the trip through Simcoe County.

We suggest riding: