The Orillia Club hiking trail was recently changed in Simcoe County Forest Breedon Tract to take advantage of the newly expanded parking lot on Line 9N in Oro-Medonte. The change also moves our trail away from a large patch of poison ivy that affected the previous route. The access point into SCF Breedon Tract from Line 9N is now a bit further north than before (at the newly expanded parking lot). Ondago has been updated and the update to our Trail Guide Map and Description will be completed in the near future. Enjoy the trails and stay safe!
News
Fall Hunting in Simcoe County Forests
Mike Evers from Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) has kindly put together this document about hunting regulations / dates in Simcoe County and shared it with all the groups that use the trails in Simcoe County Forest. The document provides details about hunting season dates and SCF tracts where hunting is allowed – but it is the time of year when it is generally advisable to wear bright colours whenever you are on forest trails.
2026.10.06 – Barrie Trail Affected by Construction Project at Simcoe County Museum
2026.10.16 Update – Trail closed signs at the Simcoe County Museum have been removed and the trail is open for use. Enjoy!
The following was posted on the Simcoe County website on September 21. Barrie Club members have confirmed that this affects access to the Barrie trail between Simcoe County Museum and Springwater Provincial Park. Please avoid hiking in this area until we have received notification that the work is completed.
Simcoe County Website Posting:
Please be advised that beginning September 21 the Warbler Way Interpretive Trail, located adjacent to the Simcoe County Museum in Midhurst, will be temporarily closed to allow for concrete pouring as part of an accessibility improvement project. The closure is necessary to support the installation of seven accessible benches along the 2.6-kilometre multi-use trail.
The bench installation is being funded through a $57,935 grant received under the Province of Ontario’s 2025-26 Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone (EASE) program. The funding, approved by the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility, will support the launch of the County of Simcoe’s bench seating program, an initiative identified through the County’s Positive Aging Strategy to improve accessibility and encourage outdoor recreation for residents of all ages and abilities.
Trail users are asked to respect all posted signage and barriers during the closure period. The trail will reopen as soon as construction activities have been safely completed.
We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as these improvements are made to enhance accessibility and enjoyment of the trail for all visitors.
2026.09.15 – Barrie Trail Affected by Logging Operations in SCF Orrock Creek South Tract
We have received notice that logging operations are starting immediately in Simcoe County Forest ‘Orrock Creek South’ tract. Due to the extent of this operation, including landing and hauling locations, SCF will be closing the full Tract for the duration of this cut. Orrock Creek N., Orrock Creek N.E. and Williams will remain open and signs will be positioned to ensure trail users are aware that they can still use these tracts. This affected tract is in between Old Second South and Gill Road on the Barrie trail, closest to Gill Road.
Please avoid hiking in Orrock Creek South tract until the logging operation is completed and this posting is updated to announce the trails are once again available. If hiking near the area please obey all posted signs.
GHTA Merch Now Available
The Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc. is now offering some GHTA logoed products for you to proudly wear. The GHTA merch site is now open! The selection is still small, but we hope to add some brighter colours in the near future. All items are unisex.
To visit the GHTA merch site click Ganaraska Hiking Trail Apparel
Nortbound Apparel is handling stock, payments and shipping which is so much easier than any volunteer stocking items and shipping. We thank John Mumford, GHTA Social Media Co-ordinator, for setting this up.
As well there are some GHTA logoed neck gaiters still available. Cost is $18.50 plus shipping, payable to John Mumford. If interested, contact him directly for these at sociamedia@ghta.ca
Regards
Frieda Baldwin
President, Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc.
Temporary Closure of Charlebois Parking Lot near Midland
The County of Simcoe – Forestry has advised that an operator started today (Aug 28) along the property line of the Charlebois Tract on Overhead Bridge Road.
Breen’s Lumber will be collecting the wood cut by Hydro and piling it in the Charlebois parking lot temporarily. As such, the parking lot will be closed, as well as any trail entrances along the cut area.
Trails do not have to be closed, we just ask that all visitors use other access points and the large parking lot on Wilson Road for access until the operations have been completed. This clean up should not take long, and Breen’s Lumber has provided that they should be done early next week. “No Entry” signs have been placed at both ends of the parking lot, as well as the trail access points between the parking lot and Kingfisher Crescent. The stands in the area have been changed to “active” on our mapping, but do cover a greater area then were the operations will actually be taking place.
The Ganaraska Hiking Trail – 500 kilometers for you to explore
The Board of Directors of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association recently successfully secured two vital grants to promote the Ganaraska Hiking Trail.
First, the County of Simcoe’s “Experience Simcoe” grant awarded the association $10,000 to install trailhead signage at county forests and along other trail sections in Simcoe County. This signage will guide hikers across all 500 kilometers of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail and encourage newcomers to join local hiking clubs. Because this is a matching “50/50” grant covering half of the total costs, the association must raise the remaining half. To help meet this requirement, the GHTA secured a second grant from the Rotary Club of Midland, which will fund pedestal signs specifically across the North Simcoe portion of the trail.
Currently, GHTA board members are finalizing exact locations and obtaining necessary agency approvals to begin installing the trailhead signs and are discussing graphics for the signs.
In addition to infrastructure updates, trail expansion continues on the ground. Recently, the Midland chapter of the GHTA successfully blazed a new loop off of the main Ganaraska Hiking Trail in the Charlebois/Martin’s Valley/Thompson County Forests located in between Midland, Penetanguishene and Tiny. As shown on the provided map, the main Ganaraska Hiking Trail is blazed in white, while the blue side trails form a triangular loop that takes about 1 hour to hike. This new trail section can be accessed directly from the parking lot located on Overhead Bridge Road in Penetanguishene.
About the Ganaraska Trail Hiking Association (GHTA):
The GHTA is a volunteer-led, registered Canadian charity made up of nine member clubs. Together, these clubs maintain the 500-kilometer Ganaraska Hiking Trail, a premier recreational corridor extending from the shores of Lake Ontario at Port Hope to the edge of the Bruce Trail near Collingwood. The registered charity provides vital opportunities for community friendship, nature appreciation, volunteerism, outdoor physical fitness and mental well-being.
The Ganaraska Trail Hiking Association (GHTA) was formed in the late 1960s by like-minded individuals sharing three core objectives:
- Establish and maintain a public hiking trail from Port Hope to the Bruce Trail.
- Develop side and loop trails to access scenic viewpoints and connect with neighboring trail networks.
- Promote the conservation and appreciation of nature.
To meet these objectives, the members work hard; physically, fiscally and strategically and we highly appreciate their efforts.
Oro-Medonte Club Dissolved
Unfortunately, we received an email yesterday from the Oro-Medonte club president that the club leadership decided to dissolve the club. The club no longer has sufficient support to organize a hiking program and/or continue to maintain the 18 km of Ganaraska Hiking Trail that the club looks after.
The good news is that the Line 4/5 trail and the Vasey Rd/Peter St sections are in good shape. Both have been maintained twice, and the growth of the spring has been cut down. The blue blazes of the side trail in Copeland Forest have been refreshed, and a few have been added as well.
While we are looking to find a solution for the ongoing and future maintenance of the trail, current Oro-Medonte club members can choose to move to another club. The Orillia, Barrie, Midland, and Mad River clubs are all close by and have great hiking schedules.
We also would like to thank the outgoing leadership members of the Oro-Medonte club, and all volunteers who in the past have led hikes, helped at trail maintenance work parties, or took on a leadership role, for their commitment to the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc. and the local Oro-Medonte GHTA club.
Frieda Baldwin
President, Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc.
705-245-1005
2026.07.21 – Wilderness Trail Affected By Bridge Work on Chisholm Trail
Chisholm Trail, the road between the community of Sadowa and Black River Road, is closed until December 11 for bridge work. The Chisholm Trail road section is the western end of the Wilderness Club trail. Hikers should avoid this area until we have notification that the work has been completed.
Tiny Rail Trail Maintenance
Issued on Monday, June 29, 2026 10:03 AM EDT by Township of Tiny
The vegetation along the Tiny Rail Trail will be sprayed for noxious weeds on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, between Tiny Flos Town Line and the end of the trail in the Town of Penetanguishene.
For your safety, we kindly ask that the public avoid using the trail on this day. The trail will reopen for normal use on July 1.
Pet Owners: Please take extra precautions to keep pets away from treated areas during this time.
For the full Tiny Township posting see here.