Hiking and Snowshoeing

Travel through a winter wonderland of ancient parabolic sand dunes and snow-capped pines along Wasaga Beach's unique shoreline and its rugged outback terrain.

Venture along the World's Longest Fresh Water Beach and witness how our white sandy shores transform into dramatic ice sculpted landscapes during the winter season. While you're there, soak up the stunning backdrop of South Georgian Bay. Follow along the water's edge and front the brisk winds of Lake Huron or take shelter along Shore Lane Trail which follows the waterfront set-back amidst the trees. Enjoy the ice formations from a distance and do not climb on them as they are not stable and actually sit on top of moving lake water. If you are not careful, these can be quite dangerous.

Local inland trails offer stunning views of the Nottawasaga River and the back-dune area. A winter hike along the trails will not disappoint! From the Wasaga Nordic and Trail Center, the trails meander through the provincial park though as variety of terrain. If you take the Wasaga section of the Ganaraska, the trail exits the Provincial Park and Makes it’s way through the McIntyre Creek valley and passes along quiet country roads to Smithdale, east of Glen Huron, where it connects with the Mad River trail section. The Wasaga Beach section is fairly easy to use with a few hills, making it great for novices and those out for a more leisurely stroll.

Trail Maps

You can find a collection of downloadable Wasaga Beach trail maps here

Wasaga Nordic and Trail Centre
The Wasaga Nordic and Trail Centre is managed by Ontario Parks and offers modern equipment rentals, light refreshments, warm-up shelter and outback ski shelters to help you warm up on those crisp wintery days. A 7.6km snowshoe trail network radiates from this Centre and offers a range of difficulty level routes that cater to different experience levels. Many trails located inside of Wasaga Nordic and Trail Centre are used for cross-county skiing. An additional 24.2km of trails become available for hiking outside of the winter season.

 

Other Local Trails

  • Carly Patterson Memorial Trail
    • Trail heads located at 465 Lyons Court (Google Map), 355 Wildwood Drive (Google Map) and 89 40th Street South (Google Map).
    • 11km, Moderate Difficulty
  • Fitness Trail 
    • Trail head located at 425 River Road West (Google Map).
    • 1.5km, Moderate Difficulty
  • Ganaraska Trail
    • Trail head located at 30 Woodland Drive (Google Map).
    • 51.0km, Moderate Difficulty
  • Harold Culham Trail 
    • Trail heads located at 28 Sunset Court (Google Map) and 101 Blueberry Trail (Google Map).
    • 6.3km, Moderate Difficulty
  • Lois Kowall Trail
    • Trail head located at 35 Fernbrook Drive (Google Map).
    • 1.4km, Easy Difficulty
  • Marl Lake Trail
    • Trail head located at 61 Meadowwood Drive (Google Map).
    • 1.4km, Easy Difficulty
  • Oakview Woods Trail Loop
    • Trail head located at 1724 Mosley Street (Google Map).
    • 1.1km, Easy Difficulty
  • Schoonertown Trail
    • Trail head located at 28 Sunset Court (Google Map).
    • 5.8km, Moderate Difficulty
  • Shore Lane Trail 
    • Trail heads located at 1380 River Road East (Google Map) and 77 Waterview Road (Google Map).
    • Details: 14km, Easy Difficulty
  • Silver Birch Trail
    • Trail head located at 37 Silversands Crescent (Google Map).
    • 4.4km, Easy Difficulty
  • Stonebridge Trail
    • Trail head located at 201 Stonebridge Boulevard (Google Map).
    • 2.0km, Moderate Difficulty
  • Sunnidale Trails
    • Trail heads located at 8 Blake Court (Google Map) and 12 Orchard Drive (Google Map).
    • 4.1km, Moderate Difficulty

Guided Hiking and Snowshoeing Tours
Purchase Hiking and Snowshoe Equipment  

Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association
The Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association is a non-profit organization who maintains the trail system, develops side trails and loops with the objective of accessing places of scenic interest or to connect neighbouring trail systems. 

  

Daytrip Ideas:

  • Visit the Ancient Forests of the Niagara Escarpment
    Enjoy the natural beauty of this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The Niagara Escarpment offers plenty of hiking trails await you with lookouts back to Wasaga Beach over South Georgian Bay!
 
  • Walk Canada's Oldest Marked Footpath 
    The Bruce Trail is located along the Niagara Escarpment. If you are feeling ambitious, this trail can take you all the way to Tobermory. This activity can be enjoyed all year round, but exercise caution during the winter months.