The short version of this post? The Georgian Bay-Muskoka 6 day trip is cool. The last couple of weeks I have been making phone calls, sending emails, and going on field trips to finalize various details, and can confirm that this trip is a humdinger. It visits not one but two UNESCO biosphere reserves (Georgian Bay’s 30,000 Islands and the Niagara Escarpment), the oft-National-Geographic-featured Muskoka, and the world’s longest freshwater beach, Wasaga (part of Cycle Simcoe’s 7 Beaches Route). It has over 400 kilometres of cycling on scenic, mostly low-traffic roads, boutique accommodations, boat cruises, delicious food, and so much more!
The trip has a soft start with a meet-up in Orillia and a van ride to Parry Sound. Then things get busy. We have to fit in a trip to the very cool Parry Sound Bikes (and a visit with the charming owners Aleesha and Thomas); a Georgian Bay 30,000 Island boat cruise (awaiting more details about the new Islander X), and a first day, warm-up bike ride that includes some Georgian Bay shoreline. And of course, eating, drinking, and relaxing at our accommodation for the night, the Grand Tappattoo Resort.
Days two and three have us cycling into Muskoka and staying at the beautiful Sherwood Inn on the shores of Lake Joseph. Muskoka boasts tranquil lakes, forests, rocky outcrops, cottages ranging from the rustic to the elegant, and lots of challenging, rolling cycling terrain. The Rosseau Lake Loop is a great ride – be prepared for some climbs! Our non-cycling Muskoka activities include another boat cruise, poking around quaint towns and villages, and some good old-fashioned relaxing by the lake.
Day four we do a long ride to leave Muskoka and head back to Georgian Bay at Port Severn.This is the day we enter my home county of Simcoe – where the rugged Canadian Shield starts to give way to rolling pastoral farmland, and there is still no shortage of water! The cycling route is beautiful and historical; perhaps the best example is the Big Chute Marine Railway national historic site, also known as Lock 44 on the Trent Severn system. Why is it so interesting? It carries boats up or down about a 60 feet height differential on an inclined plane, and apparently is the only one still operational in North America. It’s cool. We end a long day in the saddle at Rawley Resort on the shores of Georgian Bay. The plan is to have a night in, dining at Rawley’s fine Lighthouse 45 Restaurant and enjoying an evening view of Georgian Bay.
Day 5 we continue with shoreline riding from Port Severn all the way to Collingwood and then up into the Niagara Escarpment. The ride includes the Tay Shore Trail, a terrific paved bike trail that hugs Georgian Bay from Waubashene to Midland, and noted as one of the best bike trails in Ontario. We then carry on to the South Georgian Bay region and the Seven Beaches Route. After a night on the escarpment at Pretty River Inn, we will get in one last day of riding, some downtime in Collingwood, and then the goodbyes and plans for next year.
Yep, it’s a humdinger all right. Click here for more details, or contact us with the form below to enquire about booking.
