Tay Shore – Rail Trail

Length – 17 km (one way)

90% rail trail path
10% road crossings, detours

Elevation – Flat as a pancake, with one notable small hill.

Terrain – All asphalt, smooth wide path, well maintained, many road crossings, and seldom busy. Entrance gates are a tight squeeze to thread.

Skill – Easy cruising. 

Maps – Map boards, and plenty of signs (most facing west?).

Traffic – Busy on nice days, with bicycles, hikers, dogs, rollerbladers, X-country skiers. Watch for turtles!

Facilities – Parking on street, toilets, benches, picnic tables, places to buy snacks, refill water bottles, outhouses and bike repair stations, eateries, lodging nearby.

Highlights – More of a fancy Park ride, scenic views of the bay and wetlands, historic Ste. Marie among the Hurons in the area.

Trail Fee – Free

Phone – 705 534 7248

Website – Tay Township, Tourism Simcoe

Similar Trails – Georgian, Greenway, Speed River

Local Clubs – Barrie Cycling Club, Collingwood Cycling Club

Access – Car parking lots in

• Waubaushene
• Coldwater Rd. off Hwy 400
• Albert St. in Victoria Harbour
• Trestle Park on Hwy 12
• Sainte Marie fort
• Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre

History – (I no longer include train history in my free reviews. Only to be found in my published books.)

Experience the best in Rail Trails, as you cycle the 17 km of the Tay Shore Trail on the Georgian Bay coast.

I have yet to encounter a better developed and scenic Rail Trail to enjoy on a sunny Sunday afternoon. (And that is exactly what we did!)

As part of a much larger trail system, this section is well-signed, flat, easy riding, with plenty to see and all paved! Yes, a paved Rail Trail which truly has turned into a Park trail and is good for any type of road bike.

As the route curves, it runs close to the shore, which you see often, from Waubaushene on to Victoria Harbour into Midland. You will see many cottages and retirement communities, and pass through two large wetlands with grand views of the bay.

Well-shaded by trees, you might think you are riding in the country but a quick look at a map shows homes and amenities close at hand. Plenty of small road crossings offer the chance to veer off and discover small marinas and beaches and alternate roads for your return.

The Tay Shores is part of a large weekend of riding known as the Simcoe County Loop Trail and part of the Trans Canada Trail. The Tay Shore section of this large loop is the smoothest riding. Expect some other parts to be rough where wide, gravel bike tires are needed.

Read the rest of this review in my new book, Park & Rail Trails – Volume 2, to be published this spring. To get notifications,  join our Newsletter.

Order Volume 1, which includes 65 other great destinations to explore and enjoy riding! Available as an eBook or Paperback.

Both books include full reviews, train history, trail elevation graphs and better designed maps with detailed parking locations than on this website.