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Township of Severn

You are here: Home / Community Profiles / Communities / Township of Severn

Astride both the shores of Georgian Bay and Lake Couchiching are the many communities of Severn Township. Here the Trail follows off-road paths and quiet paved roads through Severn’s pristine countryside of green hills, fields and woods, touching the series of lakes and rivers that form the final leg of the Trent-Severn Waterway. You’ll love the fresh air

There are three major communities along the Trail in Severn. Central to the route is Coldwater. With its warm riverside vibe and plenty of amenities Coldwater makes for a great place for a lunch, a rest or refuel. In the east there is Severn Bridge, where you’ll find Trent-Severn Waterway Lock 42, a scenic respite at any time of the year. Located just north of Waubaushene along the Big Chute Loop section of the Trail, you’ll also find the stunning lakeside community of Port Severn where you’ll find the final lock of the Trent-Severn, a selection of eateries, lakeside accommodations, and picturesque parks and marinas.

There are many opportunities to explore Severn on the Trail. Coldwater serves as the Trail hub for the 66km Big Chute Loop from Coldwater and Waubaushene to Honey Harbour, Six Mile Lake Provincial Park, and the Big Chute Marine Railway. A spur along the Uhthoff Trail section of the route connects all the way to Orillia and Lake Couchiching, and Cycle Simcoe offers the Carlyon Loop that uses the Trail as a spine.

Download Printable Map

Trail Attributes

Distance:  76km

  • Follows roughly 30km of unpaved off-road trail (Uhthoff Trail)
  • 46km of the route follows paved rural roads

Trail Tips:

  • Coldwater and Port severn both have a lot to explore in a small area. If you don’t stop and look around, you will miss out.
  • There are Trent-Severn Waterway locks along the route, at Severn Bridge, Big Chute and Port Severn.
  • Don’t skip the 66km Big Chute Loop and the Big Chute Marine Railway! There is a lovely mix of rural and Canadian Shield riding on this route.
  • If you are heading east, grab a meal and stock up on supplies in Coldwater. If you skip Orillia, your next major choices for amenities are to go off-route in Washago or wait until Gravenhurst. There is a general store on MR 6 closer to Housey Rapids.
Local Maps and ConnectionsStaging AreasAmenities and TransitHelpful Links

Links to Local Maps

BruceGreySimcoe – Intarctive tourism map for Bruce, Grey and Simcoe Counties.
Tourism Simcoe County – Interactive map.
Cycle Simcoe (PDF and interactive maps – can request print maps)
Six Mile Lake Provincial Park (PDF)

Connections

The Trans Canada Trail — The Trans Canada Trail stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, forming the largest trail network in the world. Within the County, the Great Trail follows much of the Simcoe County Loop.

Simcoe County Loop Trail — A 160km loop connecting some of the greatest locations in Orillia and Barrie to the serene countryside of Simcoe County and the sparkling waters of Georgian Bay. Site includes maps and GPS data.

Trent-Severn Waterway — A 386km heritage water route popular with boaters connecting Trenton on Lake Ontario to Port Severn on Georgian Bay. Three of the Waterway’s locks are located along the Trail in Severn, at Severn Bridge, Big Chute and Severn Falls. Several of the lock sites offer limited camping for a moderate fee.

Community Links

Severn Township
Simcoe County
Simcoe County Tourism
Orillia

Staging Areas

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

  • Coldwater: Coldwater Arena, 11 Michael Anne Dr, Coldwater, ON L0K 1E0
  • Port Severn: Port Severn Beach and Park, 39 Minten’s Lane Port Severn , Ontario
  • Orillia: Couchiching Beach Park, 140 Canice St, Orillia, ON L3V 4H8 (just outside the County, but an excellent gateway into it)

Where to Stay:

Under the sheets? Port Severn and Orillia. For long-term parking, hotels will often allow you to leave your car for the duration of your trip if you stay with them for your first night. Make sure to ask staff in advance.

Under the stars?  Six Mile Lake Provincial Park is also located along the Big Chute Loop. Some camping is also available at the lockstations on the Trent-Severn Waterway and there are a handful of campgrounds in the area of Port Severn.

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

    Not all sections of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail in Severn are maintained for cycling in winter.

Transit

Transit:
• Simcoe County LINX — This transit system has several routes to Georgian Bay coastal communities such as Midland, Penetanguishene and Wasaga Beach from Barrie. Transit links also exist between Barrie and Orillia, which is an excellent gateway to the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail in Severn Township. Restrictions apply. Not every route runs every day of the week.

• Ontario Northland

• GO Transit: Travellers can connect to Barrie from the the Greater Toronto, Hamilton and Niagara regions via GO transit.

Helpful Links

Tourism (General)
Experience Simcoe County – Places to eat, places to stay, events etc.
Ontario Lake Country Tourism – Tourism with a focus on the communities surrounding Lakes Simcoe and Couchiching
BruceGreySimcoe – Regional tourism for Bruce, Grey and Simcoe Counties. Places to visit, festivals and an interactive map.
CycleSimcoe – A great place for all things cycling in the Simcoe County area. Local itineraries, maps, packages.

Museums and Heritage Sites
Coldwater Mill – 1833 heritage mill located on Mill Street in Coldwater.
Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site – a 386 historic waterway connecting Lake Huron at Port Severn to Lake Ontario in Trenton. Locks 42, 44 and 45 are located along the route in Simcoe. The Big Chute Marine Railway, located on the Big Chute signature loop, is not to be missed!

Natural Attractions
Six Mile Lake Provincial Park – Camping, lakes and beaches.
Georgian Bay Islands National Park – You need to take a ferry out from Honey Harbour, but camping and both foot and cycle paths await!
*both Six Mile Lake and Georgian Bay Islands are located outside the Township boundary along the Big Chute Loop

Ontario By Bike – Great resource with routes, tours and a vast list of bike-friendly businesses.

 

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

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