• Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
MapsPlease Donate
Great Lakes Waterfront Trail
  • Our Work
    • Overview
    • Pauline Browes Fellowship
    • Publications
    • Our Impact
    • Board & Staff
    • Partners
    • Strategic Plan
  • The Trail
  • Maps
    • Downloadable Maps
    • Interactive Map
    • Trail GPS Data
    • Buy Map
  • Trip Ideas
    • Farm Fresh Tours
    • Featured Trips
    • Great Lakes to Greenbelt
    • 1000km Itinerary
    • Family Friendly Ideas
    • Self-Guided Cycle Tours
    • Regional Loops
    • Cycle + Transit
    • Camping
    • Distance Chart
  • Community Profiles
  • Great Waterfront Trail Adventure
    • GWTA 2026 Overview
    • 2026 Route & Itinerary
    • Registration and Fees
    • Accommodations
    • Fundraising
    • GWTA Volunteer
    • GWTA History
    • GWTA Partners
    • FAQS
  • Donate
  • Media
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Search
  • Menu

Bracebridge

You are here: Home / Community Profiles / Communities / Bracebridge

Located on the eastern shore of Lake Muskoka, Bracebridge is a town of cascading waterfalls displaying the might, splendour and spirit of the Canadian Shield in this land of lakes and rightfully branded “the heart of Muskoka.” While visiting Bracebridge, you will find a pleasant urban centre with all of the amenities you need, cut in with heritage and that rustic northern flair unique to cottage country. You will find excellent cafes and eateries, sure to inspire your taste buds, overnight accommodations, gear outfitters to meet all of your adventure needs, craft breweries, many quaint little shops, and of course, Santa’s summer home, Santa’s Village.

On the Trail through Bracebridge, you will meander roads alongside the Muskoka River and, get and up close to the Bracebridge Falls which anchor the town’s historic downtown. You will take a side trip to Bowyer’s Beach, close to where the mouth of the Muskoka River empties into Lake Muskoka.

Bracebridge boasts plenty of opportunity for on-water experiences, from scenic cruises to river stand up paddle board adventures, there’s something for everyone.  In Bracebridge you will be sure to find days of fun, experience and discovery.

Bracebridge is located at the eastern end of the 90km Great Lakes Waterfront Trail signature Lake Muskoka Loop circumnavigating Lake Muskoka. This route follows 118 West, a busy road recommended for experienced travellers comfortable travelling with traffic. For those wishing to take a quieter route, follow the lightly-signed connector along Falkenburg Road to Brackenrig.

Signage Coming Soon

Download Printable Map

Trail Attributes

Distance: 17km

Mostly follows paved rural, residential and local roads. Some are seasonally very busy, including Manitoba Street and Highway 181 into and out of Town.
Stagecoach road is a short, narrow gravel road and not maintained seasonally.

Trail Tips:

The natural beauty on Stagecoach Road is worth the gravel, and the views along the River are stellar. Make sure to explore. Stunning waterfalls are just one of many things this community has to offer.

Local Maps and ConnectionsStaging AreasAmenities and TransitHelpful Links

Links to Local Maps

Bracebridge – Includes links to PDF parking and park maps
Muskoka Tourism’s Interactive Map – Activites, places to visit and stay

Connections

The Trans Canada Trail — The Trans Canada Trail network stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, forming the largest trail network in the world. The Lake Huron North Channel section of the Trail is designated as Trans Canada Trail.

In Bracebridge, the Waterfront Trail and Trans Canada Trail follow much of the same route between Muskoka Beach Road and Taylor Road. Beyond Taylor road the Trans Canada Trail follows the Muskoka River for some beautiful views of Wilson’s Falls and High Falls on its way north.

Staging Areas

All staging areas have parking, washrooms (may be seasonal)

  • Bracebridge Memorial Arena – 169 James St, Bracebridge, ON P1L 2B8

Amenities

  • Accommodations, Campground
  • Accommodations, Roofed
  • Beaches
  • Groceries
  • Hospital
  • LCBO (Includes Breweries and Wineries)
  • Marinas
  • Museums
  • Outfitters
  • Restaurants
  • Shopping Areas
  • Tourist Information
  • Washrooms
  • WIFI
  • Winter Maintenance

    Some sections of the route are not maintained during the winter.

Transit

Local Transit

Flight
Porter Airlines offers a 35 minute flight from Toronto to Muskoka Airport.

Bus
Ontario Northland offers a bus service from Toronto to many locations in the North.

Helpful Links

Tourism (General)
Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce – Great recommendations for local things to see and do.
Muskoka Tourism – Packages, places to stay, things to do in the Muskoka region.

Santa’s Village
Santa’s summer home – theme park with accommodations and camping opportunities

Cruises
Lady Muskoka

 

Protecting. Connecting. Celebrating. The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.

The Waterfront Regeneration Trust is a registered charity. Charitable Registration Number: 86767 9821 RR0001
Ontario Trail of Distinction

Newsletter Signup

Address

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Waterfront Regeneration Trust, 4195 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON, M8X 1Y4, http://www.waterfronttrail.org. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Waterfront Regeneration Trust

4195 Dundas St. West - Suite 327
Toronto, Ontario M8X 1Y4
(416) 943-8080
info@wrtrust.com

Partners Resource Centre

  • 2025 Tourism Workshop Registration
  • Download our Logos
  • Signage Guidelines & Templates
  • Boiler Plate Statements
  • Resources
  • GWTA Participant Surveys
  • State of the Trail
  • 2017 Trail-Wide Partners Meeting
  • 2014 Trail-Wide Partners Meeting
  • Georgian Bay Cycling Route Expansion
  • Lake Superior Expansion
  • Pauline Browes Fellowship
  • Partner Update
  • S-GWTA
© 2018 Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. Made by 9 Lives Design.
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
Scroll to top