The route below starts along the Simcoe County Loop Trail, and continues on the Great Lakes Waterfront and Georgian trails along Lake Huron. The starting point, Barrie, can be reached taking the GO train from Toronto. The Farmhouse is a good restaurant in Barrie close to the railway station.

Day 1: Barrie to Orillia (40 km, map link)

Bike paths along the lakeshore from central Barrie lead to the Oro-Medonte rail trail, which has been converted into a beautiful bike path between Barrie and Orillia. A detour down to Lake Simcoe is recommended, for example by taking Oro-Medonte Line 5 to the lakeshore visiting Bayview Memorial Park, which an ideal place for a picnic. Line 9 can then be taken back to the bike trail.

Good hotels are found in Orillia, for example Fairfield Inn and Suites, where State & Main close by can be visited for dinner. Staying more than one night in Orillia, a daytrip may be taken north-east to beautiful Washago. Also the Millenium Trail along the lakeside in Orillia, and Casino Rama on the other side of lake Couchiching, are worth a visit.

Day 2: Orillia to Port Severn (41 km, map link)

From Orillia, continue on Simco County Loop Trail to Waubushene. Em’s Café in Coldwater is suitably placed for lunch.

At Waubushene, turn north along Duck Bay Road over a scenic bridge and past beautiful holiday homes towards Port Severn, where nice resorts are found (for example Rawleys Resort). Staying more than one night in Port Severn may allow a day trip along Big Chute Loop, where Big Chute Marine Railway is worth a visit and Big Chute Marina can be chosen for lunch.

Day 3: Port Severn to Midland (30 km, map link)

From Port Severn, cross to the west side of Highway 400, go south along the highway to Forest Harbour, and continue on the charming Duck Bay Road back to Simcoe County Loop Trail at Waubushene.

Going west along the trail towards Midland, nice lunch restaurants can be found at Victoria Harbour, for example Shannon’s kitchen. Just before Midland, the historical Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons park may be visited, to see a Jesuit mission from 1640. The nicely paved bike trail continues along the lakeside to the center of Midland, with a wonderful view both to the lake and to beautiful houses and gardens along the lake.

Hotels are found in Midland, for example Hampton Inn, where dinner at Kelseys Roadhouse close by is an option. For example The Arch and The Boathouse are other good restaurants. Staying more than one night in Midland, one may bike the Penetanguishene Loop, or visit the Discovery Harbour historical park at Penetanguishene.

Day 4: Midland to Wasaga Beach (42 km, map link)

Simcoe County Loop Trail from Midland towards Penetanguishene is hilly and nicely paved. At Penetanguishene, the trail goes through a beautiful park along the lake, with posters telling about the history of Penetanguishene. Near Perkinsfield one may turn west from the trail on Balm Beach Road. Balm Beach Bar & Smokehouse may be visited for lunch.

From Balm Beach, the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail offers a nice ride on paved roads with few cars along Lake Huron towards Wasaga Beach, where the Nancy Island Historic Site is worth a visit. Accomodations and restaurants can be found in the Wasaga Beach 1 area (or closer to Collingwood).

Day 5: Wasaga Beach to Blue Mountain Village / Thornbury (48 km, map link)

The route continues south-west along Wasaga Beach, which is the longest inland beach in the world (17 km). The road closest to the lakeshore (Shore Lane) may be preferred rather than Mosley Street, which is also nice to bike. Continuing along Beachwood Drive, a short distance along Highway 26 can hardly be avoided, before turning right (north) on Pretty River Parkway towards the lakeshore in Collingwood.

Collingwood is conveniently placed for a lunch stop, for instance at Brightside Deli.

A nice bike path continues along the lake through Collingwood, leading to the beautiful Georgian Trail.

A detour from the Georgian Trail through Blue Mountain Village is absolutely recommended. The Georgian Trail continues to Thornbury, where a hotel and dinner restaurant can be found.

Alternatively, one may stay overnight in Blue Mountain or Collingwood. There are many scenic and nice places in this area which may be visited if a longer stay than one night is preferred.

Returning from Blue Mountain / Thornbury, the same bike route may be used, or a shortcut may be made from Collingwood or Midland back to Barrie.