Ontario By Bike Ride - Simcoe County Loop Trail - August 2026

Ontario By Bike Ride – August 2026

This ride is now over.

The detailed itinerary for this ride is available below for download. Enjoy great road and trail riding on a self-guided ride experience.

Simcoe County Loop Trail

Date: Anytime. It’s a self-guided itinerary
Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
Ontario By Bike Ride Hosted: August 29 to 31, 2026

Total Distance: 173km

The Ride: Discover the fantastic connected rail trails in Simcoe County on a leisurely three-day loop ride and a perfect itinerary for recreational riders to explore the area and see all there is to see trailside as well as in the towns and hamlets enroute. Featuring the well-maintained Uhthoff, Tay Shore and Tiny Trails, this ride will bring you alongside the rugged waterfront of Severn Sound in southern Georgian Bay, as well as to Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching. From the water, follow the trails through beautiful forests and countryside in the heart of Simcoe County, and enjoy hotels overnight in Orillia and Midland.

Experience Level and Ride Guide: Easy to Moderate. Off-road trail system with a mix of crushed stone dust, gravel and paved surfaces, plus level road crossings. Combined with limited elevation changes, the relatively flat terrain makes this ride suitable for hybrid, gravel, mountain or road bikes with wider tires. Riders need to have some experience riding on roads with vehicle traffic with on-road riding limited to trail connections in Barrie and Midland.

**View Digital Routes*:**

Day 1 – Minesing, Barrie to Orillia – ridewithgps.com/routes/53768561
Day 2 – Orillia to Midland – ridewithgps.com/routes/53768623
Day 3 – Midland to Minesing – ridewithgps.com/routes/53768667

* Routes subject to change
* Above links provide free navigation, when using RidewithGPS app

Day 1: Minesing, Barrie to Orillia – 47km

Starting from the Simcoe County Museum on the outskirts of Barrie, follow a mix of forested pathways and roads with bike lanes to downtown Heritage Park, on the shores of Kempenfelt Bay, Lake Simcoe. Ride along the water’s edge, following the delightful Barrie North Shore Trail before connecting to the Oro-Medonte Rail Trail. Learn about the rail heritage and past station stops from fascinating panels dotted along the 28km of easy riding on flat gravel surface. See turtles sunning on wetland logs and sun dappling through trees on forested stretches. With a trail break and short detour visit nearby beaches to dip a toe or more in Lake Simcoe before rolling into Orillia and a night at trailside hotel, Best Western Plus Mariposa Inn.

Day 2: Orillia to Midland – 61km

Having explored Orillia’s lakeside parks and trails, make a last stop at the impressive Couchiching Beach Park before following the trail to the small village of Coldwater. After a lunch break in the riverside garden of popular and award-winning bicycle friendly Em’s Cafe, there will be plenty of time to look around the eclectic mix of shops nearby. Back on the Uhthoff Trail it is just 7km till the beautiful Tay Shore Trail in Waubaushene. Pedal the remaining 16km to Midland on the stunning paved trail that weaves its way through marshlands and along the shoreline of Georgian Bay. Consider a trail side stop at Saint-Marie among the Hurons, a Canadian National Historic Site or Martyrs’ Shrine, the eye catching hill top church that is a pilgrimage site for thousands. Continuing onto Midland’s Rotary Trail, cross the Wye River, and marvel at the town’s waterfront trail and parks before routing through downtown and to nearby Hampton Inn by Hilton for the night’s stay.

Day 3: Midland to Minesing – 65km

Take the Mid-Pen Trail link just 6km to Penetanguishene and explore more scenic waterfront parks before getting to Tiny Trail and a fun ride under the heavy tree canopy over the 11 historic railway bridges that cross Copeland Creek. Visit Balm Beach, a popular ice cream and sand hot spot, on an optional trail detour. Stop in Elmvale at a trailside park for a lunch picnic before continuing south on the North Simcoe Rail Trail. Slow down to view wildlife and native plants, on this gravel section that travels through the Minesing Wetlands, one of Ontario’s largest remaining wetlands, before completing the Loop Trail and arriving back to the start.

Additional Visitor Information:

Use below to find out more about ride areas and plan an extra day or two to see more.

Ontario By Bike – Simcoe County – www.ontariobybike.ca/simcoecounty
Simcoe County Tourism – www.experiencesimcoe.ca
Simcoe County Loop Trail – www.cyclesimcoe.ca
Tourism Barrie – www.tourismbarrie.com
Orillia Tourism – www.orillia.ca
Town of Midland – www.midland.ca
Town of Penetanguishene – www.penetanguishene.ca

Getting To/From Start:

Minesing and Barrie are located approximately 1 hour 15 min from downtown Toronto, 5 hours from Ottawa, 2 1/2 hours from London and 2 hours from Niagara Falls.

This is a looped ride with 2 overnight stays, Orillia and Midland. You will park your vehicle at our designated and authorized group parking location at the Simcoe County Museum. Luggage transfer is included – from the start we will take your luggage to the hotels and return it to finish at the end of the ride.

The exact start times and detailed itinerary will be sent to all riders two weeks prior to ride.

Arriving Early / Staying Late:

Consider an overnight option at certified bicycle friendly accommodations a part of the Ontario By Bike Network in Simcoe County.