End-to-End Challenge

Ganaraska Hiking Trail End-to-End (E2E)

Hikers who complete the entire Ganaraska Hiking Trail qualify for an End-to-End certificate and badge. The full trail is approximately 500 km and is maintained by 10 local GHTA clubs. To complete the challenge, hikers must complete the main trail of all ten sections:

  • Pine Ridge
  • Kawartha
  • Orillia
  • Barrie
  • Mad River
  • Wasaga Beach
  • Midland
  • Oro-Medonte
  • Tiny
  • Wilderness

Each section must be completed as it existed on the day of the hike.

Official Trail Definition

The official route for each section includes:

  • trail reroutes
  • trail extensions

The official route excludes:

  • trail closures identified on the GHTA website at the time of the hike.

Hikers are encouraged to review the GHTA website before each hike to confirm current trail conditions.

Wilderness Section (E2E Requirement)

The Wilderness Section has two options for completing the End-to-End requirement.

Option 1 — Complete the Main White Trail (The Crossover)

Total Distance: approximately 57 km
This route follows the main White Trail from Moore Falls at the eastern end of the section to Sadowa at the western end.

Route Segments:

  1. Moore Falls → Petticoat Junction
    (via Scrabble Mountain): 12 km
  2. Petticoat Junction → Victoria Bridge
    (via the northeast arm of the Montgomery Creek Loop – Wilderness Crossover): 28 km
  3. Victoria Bridge → Sadowa
    (via Black River Road and Chisholm Trail): 17 km

The first and third segments may be completed as separate day hikes.

For example:

  • The first segment can be completed by hiking from Moore Falls to Petticoat Junction, then following the Blue Side Trail to the Devil’s Lake trailhead.
  • A car shuttle may be used to return to Moore Falls.
  • Because the third segment follows country roads, hikers may choose to arrange a car shuttle.

The second segment — the legendary Wilderness Crossover — normally requires at least one night of camping. While some hikers have completed the crossover in a single day, this is not recommended.

Hikers who began their End-to-End challenge under the previous Wilderness requirement may still complete their challenge using that definition.

Option 2 — Equivalent Distance (No Crossover Required)

To simplify the standard and align with other GHTA sections, hikers may complete an equivalent distance using four separate hikes.

Route:

  1. Moore Falls → Black Creek Junction → Moore Falls: 11 km
    (5.5 km each way)
  2. Sheldon Lake Circuit: 19 km
    (Start and finish at Devil’s Lake Trailhead)
  3. Ragged Rapids Loop: 16 km
    (Includes Victoria Bridge to the start of the loop)
  4. Victoria Bridge → Sadowa: 17 km
    (via Black River Road and Chisholm Trail)

Hiking Log Requirements

All End-to-End hikers must keep a hiking log recording the date each section was completed.
Copies of completed hiking logs must be submitted to the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Badge Officer once the End-to-End challenge has been completed. An example hiking log and blank log sheets are available on the website.

Planning Your Hike

Before hiking, participants should:

  • Review the GHTA website for trail updates
  • Check for trail reroutes or closures
  • Confirm parking restrictions

If hikers have questions about a section of trail, they may contact the President of the local GHTA club responsible for that section. See the Contact Us page for details.

For winter hikes, consult the Winter Parking Restrictions sheet.

Inspiration

For inspiration, view pics in the End-to-End hiking gallery.