The best gravel rides around Georgian Bay

Barrie-Collingwood Rail Trail follows a former railway corridor for roughly 34 kilometres between Collingwood and Angus, passing through Stayner and New Lowell along the way. This flat, crushed-gravel trail runs through quiet countryside between the communities, making it a popular route for walking and cycling. Trains ran along this line until 2011, before it became the shared-use trail it is today, ideal for walking or riding at your own pace.

Millennium Park sits at the northern tip of Collingwood Harbour, right beside the town’s landmark grain terminals, with fantastic open views across Georgian Bay to Blue Mountain. Benches and a large grassy lawn make it an easy place to linger by the water, with interpretive signs sharing some of the harbour’s history. On summer days, the pier is a popular fishing spot, and the occasional food truck is a nice bonus if you’d like to stay for lunch.

From the end point of the Black Ash Trail, there are views across the meadow of the Osler Bluff Ski Club, a family-friendly ski and snowboarding resort. The view of the hill has clearings of trees where several runs were built, etched into the forest. In summer, activities like mountain biking and zip-lining, make Osler Bluff Ski Club a year-round hub for outdoor adventure.

Black Ash Creek flows through wetlands and woods, providing a habitat for local wildlife and scenic views for those exploring the trails along the creek. Hikers and bikers can explore the creek’s surroundings via the Black Ash Trail, Georgian Trail and Boardwalk Trail, all well-maintained pathways that follow the river's curves.

The Black Ash Trail follows the course of Black Ash Creek, offering a scenic route for walking, jogging, cycling, and cross-country skiing come winter. The trail is well-maintained, flat and made up of hard-packed gravel. The Black Ash Trail also connects to other local pathways, but be careful as it crosses a few busy roads like Mountain Road and Sixth Street.

Thornbury Railway Bridge carries the Georgian Trail across the mouth of the Beaver River, following the route of the old Northern Railway line that connected Collingwood and Meaford from the 1870s. The last train crossed here in 1984 before the route became part of the walking and cycling trail in 1989. From here, you get beautiful views up the river toward Thornbury Dam and out toward Georgian Bay, especially in autumn, when you can watch salmon making their way upstream to spawn.

Seats for Sunset Show

Georgian Trail follows a former railway corridor for about 34 kilometres between Collingwood and Meaford, tracing the shoreline of southern Georgian Bay. It’s a mostly flat, well-maintained crushed gravel path, with beautiful views of the bay, wetlands, orchards, and the Niagara Escarpment, making it one of Ontario’s most popular rail trails for walking and cycling.