Trails

Residents and visitors to Barrie enjoy over 88 kilometers of public trails, each showcasing natural beauty throughout the changing seasons. The Development Services Department oversees the planning, design, and construction of the City's trail systems, while the Operations Department takes charge of maintenance activities.

Dogs must be leashed on all trails. Please be respectful of all trails and nearby residents, bring litter-less lunches and snacks, and dispose of any litter in the proper waste receptors.

Poison ivy is a naturally occurring plant in Barrie’s parks and along trails. The plant produces an oil that can remain active for several years; even handling dead leaves can cause a reaction. Oil transferred from the plant to other objects (such as pet fur) can also cause a rash if it comes into contact with skin. Contact with the plant can be avoided by staying on established trails and watching for it.
If you find poison ivy encroaching a trail or other frequently used location, please report it to Service Barrie at 705-726-4242 or Service.Barrie@barrie.ca.
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Poison ivy

Ardagh Bluffs Natural Area

The Ardagh Bluffs Recreational Trail System is located between Ardagh Road and Mapleview Drive, west of Essa Road. It boasts over 17 km of recreational trails and has a total area of 518 acres. Most of the area is zoned Environmentally Protected (EP) and houses a variety of species. The trail system is used for walking and hiking. The use of motorized vehicles within the area is prohibited. There are no picnic tables within the Bluffs.

Beacon Glen Trails

The entrance to Beacon Glen Trails is located at 7 Beacon Road. The entrance can also be accessed by the nearby Barrie Transit stop on Essa Road near the Beacon Road intersection. The main trail is approximately 533m long with an elevation change of 28.5m. The main trail features four lookout points.

A map system is placed at the three Trail Head locations and shows the main trail with several subtrails. There is a trail wayfinding scheme marked by bollards at each trail intersection and tree blazes along the trails. The main trail spine is identified by square marker symbols/blazes and the secondary trails are identified by triangle symbols /blazes. Please remain on the trail with any pets to preserve the natural vegetation.
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Nine Mile Portage Heritage Trail

This trail is a multi-use recreational trail running between Meridian Place in downtown Barrie and Fort Willow in Springwater Township. Brochures are available at City facilities and via Tourism Barrie, the Township of Springwater, and the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority.

North Shore Trail

The North Shore Trail is a unique multi-use recreational trail running the entire length of Barrie's north shore of Kempenfelt Bay. This former rail corridor provides visitors with direct views of the bay from a wide pathway. A great trail for biking. Hats are recommended as the adjacent vegetation allows for both sun and shade.

A June 2023 staff report includes recommendations for vegetation maintenance improvements, shoreline erosion mitigation, and rezoning of City-owned lands along the North Shore of Lake Simcoe during the comprehensive review of the Zoning By-law.

The nearest parking options:
- Heritage Park Parking Lot (5 Simoce Street)
- Johnson Beach Parking Lot (2 Johnson Street)
- on-street along the trail
See municipal parking map.
The trail is approximately 3 kilometres from Heritage Park to Penetanguishene Road. View the trail map. At Penetanguishene Road, the rail trail ends. At this point, visitors can follow Shanty Bay Road into the Township of Oro-Medonte past various residential properties until the rail trail is continued again. The trail continues along the north shore of Kempenfelt Bay all the way to Orilla.

Trans Canada Trail

There are approximately 20 kilometres of the Trans Canada Trail through Barrie, connecting in the south at Essa Township and to Springwater Township in the north, and passing through many of Barrie's parks. Discover Indigenous culture and history along the TransCanada Trail.

The trail is complete in the old Barrie lands and is temporarily routed along roadways in the undeveloped southern portions of Barrie. The route will return to parkland in pace with development as the City receives new parkland and environmental land dedications.

The Trans Canada Trail passes through many of Barrie’s parks that have parking nearby, including:
Please refer to the Trans Canada Trail Barrie Map and explore the full Trans Canada Trail map.
The trail features interpretive signs honouring Indigenous people. The City, in conjunction with the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs, placed three trail markers along the City’s portion of the Trail to honour the history, culture and share the story of local Indigenous communities.

Waterfront Heritage Trail

The Waterfront Heritage Trail is approximately six kilometres from White Oaks Road to Penetanguishene Road, and offers a historical experience around the length of Barrie’s waterfront. The idea came from Willard Kinzie, first mayor of the City of Barrie from 1957 to 1961. An avid trail user, Mr. Kinzie envisioned a way for residents to learn about our history while enjoying an open air, self-guided interpretative experience on Barrie’s waterfront.

Please see the Waterfront Heritage Trail map.
The trail starts at the east end of Allandale Station Park on the south shore and continues around the waterfront to the end of the North Shore Trail at Penetanguishene Road. Eleven interpretive stations, each with a different historical theme, tell the story of Barrie’s past with a journey from the last ice age to the present. Stations are placed thematically, not chronologically, so visitors can decide to see one per visit or all in one day.
The Military Heritage Park contains interconnecting trails that allow it to be integrated into this trail.
Mr. Kinzie’s bronzed handprint, cast in 2016, waits at the end of the trail at Penetanguishene Road to offer a “high five” to those who complete the trail. A trailhead sign honouring former Barrie Mayor Willard Kinzie sits at the north end of the marina boardwalk along the waterfront trail at Station 8. Station 8 is still under development and is anticipated to be completed in 2023.
See Heritage Tours & Plaques.