Midland, ON – The Ganaraska Hiking Trail, a prominent Ontario trail, has finally completed its 18-kilometer gap in northern Simcoe County, thanks to years of dedicated efforts by volunteers from the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association and local hiking clubs.
A weekend celebration marked this significant achievement, with volunteers, hikers, and municipal officials gathering along the trail near Midland’s Sainte-Marie among the Hurons historic site to commemorate the closure.
“We finally managed to connect it,” said Frieda Baldwin, a Midland resident and president of the association. “We had about 50 hikers who were there to hike the new section.”
The newly completed section begins at Tiny Township’s 12th Concession, winds through the Thompson Forest, and proceeds to Penetanguishene before continuing into Midland.
“This project has been years in the making,” Baldwin noted, emphasizing the crucial support and cooperation from the three local municipalities. “Tiny Township built some stairs and a bridge to make it happen.”
Baldwin highlighted the challenge the 500-kilometer trail poses, stretching from Port Hope in the south to Collingwood in the west, a feat many hikers strive to complete. The new section, characterized by its moderate difficulty, features a mix of terrain including some stretches of concrete and asphalt.
Local residents now have the opportunity to explore the scenic Georgian Bay shoreline and various forest trails. “It’s quite beautiful, and the trails aren’t along the road,” Baldwin said, adding that the trail traverses many picturesque forests and fields.
Similar to other long-distance hiking trails in North America, such as the Appalachian Trail, Bruce Trail, and Oak Ridges Trail, the Ganaraska Hiking Trail is equipped with wayfinding signs. “I am sure people have seen these blazes appear along the ‘Gap’ trail on posts, trees, etc., not realizing they are wayfinding signs to follow through the forest,” Baldwin explained.
For Baldwin, the completion of this section is both a significant milestone and a personal legacy. “I call it a historic moment, but also a legacy event for me. I’ve been with the organization for 30 years.”
The Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association Inc. comprises nine member clubs that maintain the 500-kilometer-long trail, which stretches from Lake Ontario at Port Hope to the Bruce Trail near Collingwood, with side trails extending to Wasaga Beach and Midland. Each club organizes local hikes and maintains the trail system for public enjoyment.