Credit: Parry Sound Bikes
Parry Sound District sits at the top of Lake Muskoka, between the shores of Georgian Bay, Lake Nipissing and the French River. While its lakes offer some great places to fish and admire vistas, there are countless trails, rinks and breweries to warm you up on winter days and nights.
Kill some time on Killbear trails
Depending on your energy level, you can take a quick 25-minute hike or snowshow along Lighthouse Point Trail at Killbear Provincial Park or invest three hours to explore its full Recreational Trail. In between, you can opt for Twin Points Trail for 40 minutes or Lookout Point Trail for 90 minutes. With the park dominating a point into Georgian Bay, you’re certain to enjoy its rocky shorelines and great views of snow-covered landscapes.
Where: 35 Killbear Park Road, Nobel.
You might like: 25 Ontario Provincial Parks to Visit During Winter in Ontario
Get out on your fat bike
Plan a day on two wheels along many trails in the area welcome fat bikers. Park to Park Trails has an interactive map you can download to plan your routes and your entry points. If you don’t have your own bike, rent one for $30 a day from Parry Sound Bikes.
Sled around the Sound
With more than 125 kilometres of snowmobile trails, you can ride from Sprucedale to Parry Sound and many other spots around the region and its many lakes. Parry Sound Snowmobile District 10 has some of the best snowmobile trails in Ontario. The South Seguin Snowmobile Club is part of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, go plan to get a trail pass for $45 for a weekend or $270 for the season.
Gawk from the top of this rock
The view from the top of Powassan Mountain, at the conservation area bearing its name, is worth the hike, whether you make it in boots or on snowshoes or skis. The Pines trail system takes you in and around the stunning site.
Where: Catherine Avenue, Powassan; 705-474-5420
Catch fish in Otter Lake
With so many lakes in the region, you can drop your line in and find fresh fish while you enjoy the fresh air. In the Parry Sound area, drill a hole into The Big Sound, and Parry Sound Harbour. For a bigger adventure, sled or walk to Otter, Mill, Kapikog or White lakes, Lake Manitouwabing or Lake Manitouwabing.
Try a taste of the Norse
The Norse Brewery offers dark, red and golden ales for tasting at its microbrewery from Tuesdays through Sundays. Stop it for a local taste and celebrate your outing on the lake or a trail. You can also visit the Trestle Brewing Company, to sample its brews.
Where: The Norse Brewery, 11 Ritchie Drive, Nobel; 705-342-0274
Trestle Brewing Company, 9 Great North Road, Parry Sound; 705-751-9108
Gone to Magnetawan
Disappear in the beauty of the forest for part of a day along one of two trails near this small town. The Cornelia Levering Broadmeadows Trail on Golf Course Road is great for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing along its three-kilometre route. For a shorter outing, try out the Dam Trail, at 4195 Hwy. 520, for a 1.2-kilometre stroll for hikers and snowshoers.
Skate outside
Parry Sound has two outdoor rinks to get you out and moving around. Lace up at Kinsmen Park, 110 Parry Sound Drive, or McDougall Recreation Centre, at 148 Hammel Ave. Kinsmen also has a great toboggan hill for a few thrills.
Skiing in West Nipissing
The West Nipissing Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club maintains a network of trails that will have you breathless and loving sparkling winter days. The cross-country ski trails run for more than 13 kilometres while you can snowshoe for 9.3km. Pick up a day pass or a membership at the Chalet before heading out.
Where: 404 Lac Clair Road, Sturgeon Falls; 705-753-3431
Look out over the bay
Tower Hill Lookout gives you a full view of the town of Parry Sound, the CPR Trestle Bridge and Georgian Lake’s rugged features. Climb up 30 metres for the full experience. (Closed during COVID-19)
Where: 19 George Street
Explore a natural wonder
The UNESCO Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve combine the incredible properties of a wilderness paradise with the values of the Anishinabek community around it. Come for a hike, ski or snowshoe to meet the creatures and see the sites in the area around Parry Sound.
Slog alongside your dog
North Shore Rugged Hiking Trail welcomes snowshoers and their canine companions along this 3.1-kilometre route. You’ll pass a lake in your travels on this back trail.
Where: 11A Salt Dock Road
Hustle with your muscles
The Rotary and Algonquin Regiment Waterfront Fitness Trail provides five stations to use your upper body and core muscles on top of your hiking ones as you cover the full six-kilometre route. You also get a view of Georgian Bay and plaques about Parry Sound’s history as you walk along the waterfront. Enter via Champagne Street, Great North Road, the Town Dock, the Charles W. Stockey Centre, Sail Parry Sound, Waubuno Beach and the Salt Dock.
Work out the kinks on the Lynx Loop
The Georgian Nordic Ski and Canoe Club maintain over 30 kilometres of trails, including the eight-kilometre stretch known as the Lynx Loop. You can hike, ski or fat bike along any of its trails.
Where: 4 Nine Mile Road 4-40, Parry Sound
From rails to roses
The Rose Point Trail is the former rail bed of a path created by lumber tycoon JR Booth. It offers a venue for skiers and snowshoers for six kilometres to explore as part of the greater Park-to-Park Trail. It runs from James Bay Junction Road South to Rose Point Road.
Grand Trunk = grand fun
The Seguin Recreational Trail runs east-west for 75 kilometres along the former Grand Trunk Railway, south of Parry Sound to Elmsdale. With its level surface, you can easily hike, cross-country ski or snowshoe the route. Enter at the tourism information kiosk on Hwy. 400 south of Parry Sound or at Hwy. 11 near Elmsdale.
Show your spirit(s)
If you need some Maple Moonshine or Apple Pie Moonshine, Copperhead Distillery & Spirits can fill the bill. It offers a variety of unique spirits and fun recipes to help you enjoy them. Drop by Copperhead Distillery & Spirits’ tasting room for a sampling to warm you on a cold winter’s day. The Tasting Room is closed during lockdown.
68 Tower Rd, Sundridge; 705-384-0111
Seguin Sled Dog Mail Run
The annual Sled Dog Mail Run celebrates dogsledding’s historical importance in Canada. It includes a fundraising event where attendees buy “sledvelopes” for mail delivery via dogsled teams. The festival takes place in February and features family-friendly activities, with teams traditionally delivering mail to a postmaster at the finish line.