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Published: October 5th 2009
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Biking Midland areas TAY SHORE TRAIL
The Basics: Number of times we have biked this trail: 2 to 4 times annually since 2009
Location: Waubaushene to Ste. Marie Among the Hurons
Distance: 16 kilometres + 1.5 km
Trail Surface: paved
Access & Parking: Trail Head (see below)
Trail Head: Waubaushene
Washrooms: 3 porta potties on trail, one in a picnic area, in 3 towns
Towns on/near trail: Midland, Port McNichol, Victoria Harbour, Waubaushene
Water: No Signage: Excellent
Rest areas: Many
Garbage disposal: Excellent
Points of Interest: Many
Other: Tay Shore Trail is part of the Trans Canada Trail
Although Midland is the largest town in the area, the TAY SHORE TRAIL is strictly the doing of the township of TAY and the villages along the trail.
This is one of the
finest biking trails that we have found in Ontario or anywhere else in Eastern North America. The paved surface and level terrain make it easy for beginners, seniors or anyone else. The surface is suitable for rollerblading as well.
On a map, the trail would
look like a roller coaster as it follows the bays and inlets of Georgian Bay. The beauty of this is that it allows for great vistas of Georgian Bay and sometimes you are so close to the water that you might get splashed by a wave! You also pass through many wetlands, all of which are well signed with good descriptions.
To
access the TAY SHORE Trail from the Midland end head for the Martyr’s Shrine, Wye Marsh, Ste Marie among the Hurons tourist destination (all clustered together at the intersection of highway 12 and the Wye River.) If coming
from Midland, turn LEFT just before the bridge that goes over the Wye River to Ste Marie Park on to Wye Valley Road. There is parking beside the bridge. Signs here will indicate that this is a foot path to Ste. Marie. Follow it for about 50 metres, going over a trestle and through a large culvert. As soon as you see the stockade of Ste. Marie, the trail will be on your left. The Tay Shore Trail ENDS at the bridge and
Midland’s Waterfront Trail begins (see separate blog)
To
access Waubushene
Christ Church on trail from highway 400 take exit 147 at highway 12 then two quick rights on Pine and Fallowfield Lane (across from
ESSO station). There is a park here with lots of parking. Continue towards the Highway 400 overpass and turn left for the
Tay Shore Trail where you will find a large map and more parking. If you turn right and go under highway 400 you will be on the
Utfhoff Trail to Orillia-- see a separate blog. This 6 km unpaved trail connects with the town of Coldwater.
There are two porta potties on the trail. There are also washrooms in a parking lot near the Trestle Trail (at km 3.5).
Also in Waubaushene if you follow Willow Street to the waterfront, there is a picnic area, parking and washrooms. In 2019
modern washrooms were added in
Victoria Habour, by the beach
In 2011 even more, signs were added to the trail. Now there are signs that indicate direction and distance to restaurants, beaches etc. At the FOODLAND in Victoria Harbour, there is a hot dog/drinks stand in summer and just up the street, ice cream is available! Also plenty of parkland,
Midland Murals
Midland wall mural benches, flower gardens and a sandy beach for swimming. In a pinch, the washroom at the library, beside the post office can be used. If you follow the shoreline to the end of Albert Street, beside the condominiums, you will come to a restaurant
(Quarterdeck) that serves sandwiches and drinks, indoors or out.
The Tay Shore trail is
extremely well signed. Every road intersection has large easy to read signs indicating the street name. Distances are painted on the pavement every 0.5 kilometres in both directions. At strategic locations, there are large signs with a map of the trail and a “you are here.”
If you want to take it easy, the Tay Shore Trail offers lots of opportunities to rest. It seems that there is a bench or a picnic table at least every kilometre.
Unlike most trails, garbage bins are provided all along the trail and this is a first …. recycling boxes are also included!!
How thoughtful! A few kilometres outside of Midland, there is a branch of the trail that goes into
Port McNichol known as tay shore
Georgian Bay Trestle Trail. The distance is about 1.5 kilometres and very scenic. The last portion is a gradual incline. Near the end, you can see remnants of the old train trestle with a small trestle still in the ground. When you come to the end (or the beginning) you can turn right and follow the road (Ney Street) to the middle of the village of
Port McNichol about 500 metres away. Take the first right (Talbot Street) for a dramatic view of the
SS KEEWATIN a 100 metre passenger ship, that plied the Great Lakes when it was launched in 1907. It could carry almost 300 passengers. There are washrooms in the park but only open in summer.
In
Waubaushene, Tanners Road will take you to a beach that has swimming and picnic facilities. Also not to be missed (and you can’t miss it!) in Waubaushene, is
Christ Church or Waubaushene Memorial Church built in 1881. Worth a photo stop.
Township of Tay should be congratulated on an
EXCELLENT trail. If I had to
rate it out of 10 I would give it a 9.5. What would give it a 10? More sources of
drinking water on the trail or trailhead and washrooms or even a porta potty at the trail head in Waubushene. In spite of all the garbage containers on the trail there are NONE at the trailhead. I am being picky!!
Incidentally, the Tay Shore trail connects to the
Uthoff trail which connects to the
Oro-Medonte which connects to the
Simcoe North, the
Tiny Township Trail, the
Penetanguishene Bay Trail and the
Midland Bay Trail, to the
Tay Shore Trail making for a nice long circle route. Most of this route is NOT paved.
See my blogs on
Midland Waterfront Trail and
Uhthoff Trail for continuation of the Tay Shore Trail.
There are over 50 photos below.
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Doug
non-member comment
Tay Shore Trail
The writer's comments about this excellent trail are very true! Having biked often in Kincardine (Boiler Rd) and in Niagara Falls, this is the best of them all! Its smooth surface runs through one of the prettiest areas in Ontario, with trees lining both sides, and vistas of Georgian Bay offering lots of photographic opportunities. In general, pedestrians, roller bladers and cyclists are friendly and courteous. A fine trail, indeed!