Township of Muskoka Lakes

The Township of Muskoka Lakes is situated at the southern tip of the Canadian Shield. The craggy cliffs that rise above our lakes date back to the days when life first began on this planet. About two million years ago, this section of the Shield was covered by a series of glaciers, which carved out the 80 lakes that lie within our municipal boundaries. In spite of the popularity of our locale for permanent and seasonal homes, over 80 per cent of the land mass retains its natural cover. The municipality also maintains over 85 per cent naturally vegetated shoreline.

The natural history and beauty of the Muskoka area is evident and visible on our wonderful trails. The Torrance Barrens Trails Dark Sky Reserve, the first such protected area in Canada, is found in the Township of Muskoka Lakes, along with Hardy Lake Provincial Park and the spectacular Huckleberry Rock Lookout. You can visit an original settler’s log home at the Muskoka Lakes Museum and discover how the local craftsmen made the area famous as a centre of wooden boat building. Tours of artists’ studios, famous gardens and heritage cottages give visitors a glimpse of the lifestyle that attracts people to the municipality.

The character of the township is reflected in its eclectic mix of festivals and carnivals including the renowned Bala Cranberry Festival, Port Carling Winterfest, Cavalcade of Colour Antique Show and Flavours of Muskoka. Several of the municipality’s buildings are historically significant, including the municipal office, which was originally the Port Carling Village school (1906). The White’s Road schoolhouse (1890), the original Windermere Village Hall (1953), and the Township of Muskoka Lakes Visitor Centre (1897) have also been restored for continued enjoyment and public use.

Whether you prefer rural areas, small communities, country settings or stunning waterfront, the Township of Muskoka Lakes has it all.

Trails

Hardy Lake Provincial Park Trail

Closest Community	Distance	Total # of Steps	Difficulty	Volkssport Rating:
Torrance	3 km, 7 km and 8 km	4000 - 11000	moderate to difficult	2C

Access to Trail / Parking

The parking lot is found off of Muskoka Toad 169, 1 km west from Walkers Point Road.

Trail Description / Key Points of Interest:

Hardy Lake Provincial Park provides hiking access to the shores of both Hardy Lake and Lake Muskoka, two of the most picturesque and rugged shorelines, characteristic of the lake-studded precambrian rock landscapes of Muskoka. The trails consist of an 8 km loop around Hardy Lake, or a short loop of 3 km touching on the shore. The inland trail of 7 km winds through the forests, up and down hills and access many of the wetlands in the interior of the park.

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Torrance Barrens Trail

Closest Community	Distance	Total # of Steps	Difficulty	Volkssport Rating:
Torrance	3km, 5 km, and 6 km	5000 - 8000+	difficult	2C

Access to Trail / Parking

Take Muskoka Road 169 north from Gravenhurst or south from Bala. Turn south on Southwood Road (Muskoka Road 13) and travel 7 km to the Torrance Barrens sign.

Trail Description / Key Points of Interest:

The trail is marked with stone cairns white marks on rocks and metal signs. Encompassing almost 5000 acres, the Torrance Barrens Conservation Reserve is one of the most striking geological areas in Muskoka. The lunar landscape of the Barrens is characterized by low ridges of precambrian bedrock separated by wetlands and peat-filled hollows, scattered boulders and even a little soil. The Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, a threatened species, can also on occasion be found here, as can Ontario's only lizard, the Five Lined Skink. Amateur astronomers have identified the Barrens as an ideal place to view the night skies with little light infiltration from urban centres.

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Huckleberry Rock Lookout Trail

Closest Community	Distance	Total # of Steps	Difficulty	Volkssport Rating:
Milford Bay	2.5 km	3300	moderate	3C

Access to Trail / Parking

Park at the new parking lot across from the golf course on Milford Bay Road. Milford Bay Rd. is off of Hwy 118 half way between Bracebridge and Port Carling.

Trail Description / Key Points of Interest:

Huckleberry Rock has been well known locally for over 100 years as a magnificent scenic lookout. Rocks on this trail are some of the oldest in the world, well over a billion years old. The effects of glaciation, timber harvesting, erosion and fire have removed the thin mantle of soil exposing the surface of the pink granite rock. The trail surrounds a bowl-shaped area that holds water and has allowed a bog to develop that supports a black spruce ecosystem. In 1962 the rock cut for Highway 118 highlighted the rock to the traveling public.

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Hazelwood Trail

Closest Community	Distance	Total # of Steps	Difficulty	Volkssport Rating:
Port Carling	2.5 km	3300	moderate	2C

Access to Trail / Parking

Travel west through the town of Port Carling. Just past Ferndale Road and right before the top of the hill, turn right on Hazelwood Road. Follow this road to the end where you will find parking and the trail head.

Trail Description / Key Points of Interest:

The historic 2.5 km trail (5 km return) once linked Port Carling with Port Sandfield. The Hazelwoods were a pioneer family that settled on Lake Rosseau directly across the bay from Port Sandfield. The trail includes some moderate to steep climbs through a mature hardwood forest and passes between spectacular granite bluffs. Towards the end of the route, the trail runs beside a large beaver pond, well known for its bird life. The end of the trail comes onto Ferndale again. It is a 3.5 km walk to the parking lot versus 2.5 km on the trail.

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Skeleton Lake Fish Hatchery Trail

Closest Community	Distance	Total # of Steps	Difficulty	Volkssport Rating:
Raymond	1 km	1320	easy	1A

Access to Trail / Parking

Take District Road 4 north of Bracebridge onto Hwy 141 west and then to Fish Hatchery Rd. Parking is available at Fish Hatchery Park, 1.3 km past Watt Public School.

Trail Description / Key Points of Interest:

This former fish hatchery produced trout annually by raising fingerlings and releasing them in local lakes and streams. It was closed in the early 1990s, as production was concentrated in the newer hatcheries throughout the province. The trail winds past the stream and ponds where restoration work had taken place to naturalize the former hatchery. Ten interpretive sign offer information and illustrations on different habitats, flora and fauna of the area, complimented by advice on conservation techniques that individuals can use to preserve the natural heritage of Muskoka.

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Port Carling Mural Walk

Closest Community	Distance	Total # of Steps	Difficulty	Volkssport Rating:
Port Carling	2.5 km	3300	easy	1A

Access to Trail / Parking

Take Hwy 118 West from Bracebridge, or East from Hwy 169 to Port Carling. Turn onto Bailey Street to the end. Parking is at Hanna Park.

Trail Description / Key Points of Interest:

Water surrounds you on this trek through the picturesque town of Port Carling situated at the "hub" of lakes Rosseau and Muskoka. This urban route offers many creative ways to enjoy a walk. Start your adventure with a swim at the beach in Hanna Park, then tour the Muskoka Lakes Museum on James Bartleman Island Park. If you time it just right you may see the R.M.S. Segwun or Wenonah II making their way through the big locks. Stop and view the new Port Carling mural as "The Wall Looks Back". If shopping suits your fancy visit the many shops all along the way. Enjoy!

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Bala Historic Walk

Closest Community	Distance	Total # of Steps	Difficulty	Volkssport Rating:
Bala	4.5 km	6000	easy	1A

Access to Trail / Parking

The walk starts at Windsor Park but of course you may start and end anywhere you like.

Trail Description / Key Points of Interest:

The Town of Bala consists of three islands interconnected by bridges over beautiful waterfalls. There is a spectacular view of the Moon River and the fall on this walk. These falls, the South Falls, run with water from Lakes Muskoka, Rosseau, and Joseph funneling through Bala enroute to Georgian Bay. You can also enjoy a visit to the Lucy Maud Montgomery Museum. This is just a taste of the many historical sites that are along this self-guided walk of historic Bala. Come and enjoy the walk and a bit of Bala hospitality.

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Raymond Trail

Closest Community	Distance	Total # of Steps	Difficulty	Volkssport Rating:
Raymond	2 km/4 km roundtrip		moderate

Access to Trail / Parking

Take District Road 4 north of Bracebridge onto Hwy #141 and thence to Skeleton Lake Road #1, one half kilometer past the Raymond Store. Park at the end of the gravel portion careful not to block to road. From this parking spot the trail is 2 km one way, 4 km round trip.

Trail Description / Key Points of Interest:

The Raymond Trail follows the historic colonization route from the old Parry Sound Road to Skeleton Lake. The trail, with moderate hills, passes through field and forest. In places, you can still see the logs of the corduroy road, laid down to help settlers over the boggy sections. The trail wanders through dense hemlock stands that are a favourite habitat of deer, especially during the winter, and through hardwoods that are brilliant during the autumn. The route bypasses a large gravel pit and an abandoned hunt camp, ending at Skeleton Lake Road 2.

At this point you have a choice of returning the way you came or travelling a similar distance along Skeleton Lake Road 2 to Highway 141 and back to the starting point. Alternatively, you can turn right, where a short walk takes you down the hill to the public wharf on Skeleton Lake.

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