Stephanie’s Trans Canada Trail: A Winter Wander Through Barrie
Written by Stephanie Mayo
Often, we dream about exploring exotic locations as a new year dawns. Or hibernating with our favourite books or television series. For me, it means exploring locally, and that’s why I think winter is the perfect time to set out to explore your local section of the Trans Canada Trail.
My journey along the Trans Canada Trail through Barrie this winter was full of familiar favourites like the stretch along the scenic lakeshore, as well as a few surprises. It proves that there are always hidden gems to discover along the Trail, even in your own backyard.
The Trail through Barrie
The Trans Canada Trail runs approximately 15 kilometres through Barrie. It’s a mix of small city parks, charming neighbourhoods and picturesque waterfront. I love that you can create your own adventure with it; opt for a full thru-hike or enjoy a unique section of it.
The air was crisp and the sky an undecided mix of grey and passing blue when I started my journey at Lennox Park in the city’s south end. This was a part of the trail that I’d never walked before, so I was eager to venture north towards downtown Barrie.
Photo credit: Stephanie Mayo
A feeling of connection
After what would to some would be mundane — a neighbourhood trail through a sports park, crossing a busy street I’d driven countless times and skirting an elementary school — I was charmed. These everyday things are sometimes what people escape from when seeking out quiet forested trails, but to me, in that moment, made me feel connected to my community. This feeling is one of the reasons I love the Trans Canada Trail — for its ability to connect us all from coast to coast to coast, and from city to backcountry forest.
What I found next delighted and surprised me. Beyond the school was a section of trail that felt removed from the city, with hard-packed snow under foot, towering trees lining the wide path and a chorus of birdsong, it was the perfect place to pause for a moment and soak in the fresh winter air. Dancing around me in the bare trees were juncos, chickadees and goldfinches.
A visit to the Holly Site and the Barrie lakeshore
Farther down, I spotted a sign tucked off to the side and my curious nature couldn’t resist. Just off the trail was a gem that I had no idea existed in my city. Reading the sign, I learned that it marked what is part of the Holly Site, a location once home to a Huron-Wendat village — proof that the Trans Canada Trail has a way of revealing meaningful and unexpected gems, if you’re willing to slow down and explore.
The sky blazed blue as I approached Barrie’s lakeshore, which makes up for a solid three kilometres of the Trail through the city, and is what I’d consider to be its most attractive section. With a clear paved trail beneath my boots and the expansive Kempenfelt Bay to my right, all I could think was how thankful I am to have such an incredible part of the province in my own backyard.
Photo credit: Stephanie Mayo
Wrapping around the bay, from south to north, one highlight of the trail along this section is a Moments of Algoma Group of Seven interpretive sign. While many are familiar with the Group of Seven signs along the shores of Lake Superior, not everyone knows that there are others throughout the province. Here in Barrie, the sign shares the city’s link to Lawren Harris, who at one time lived nearby and even painted the view you see of the bay. The Trail along the lakeshore is an ideal spot for families to walk, as it is well maintained, and there’s a large playground that will excite any kid. Plus, it’s home to what many of us refer to as the symbol of Barrie — the Spirit Catcher! Created by Ron Baird, taking inspiration from the Indigenous oral traditions of the Thunderbird, this 20-tonne sculpture stands over the waterfront and is a must-see for any visitor.
The Trail through downtown Barrie
Leaving the lakeshore, I followed the Trail through downtown along Dunlop Street lined with great shops and restaurants. It was the perfect time to grab lunch at Mexhico, a local favourite serving Mexican vegan fare, which was the perfect fuel to finish off the rest of my outing. The Trail led me up along one of the oldest streets in Barrie, Sunnidale Road, lined with cozy bungalows and grand homes dating back over a hundred years.
As I approached my end point in Sunnidale Park, I realized I hadn’t visited the park in the winter. Best known for its flower beds and cherry blossom trees in spring and summer, it still had magic, covered in a blanket of sparkling snow.
Walking the Trans Canada Trail through Barrie in winter is a quiet kind of magic. Between moments of local history and culture, and long, serene stretches of nature, the Trail offers space to reflect, breathe and see my adopted hometown through a new lens — one snowy step at a time.
Photo credit: Stephanie Mayo
Tips for walking the Trans Canada Trail in Barrie in the winter
• For the full trail, walk with someone so that you can park your cars at either end. I recommend one at Lennox Park on Big Bay Point Road and one at the Arboretum on Sunnidale Road.
• For a shorter section that’s safe, accessible and also scenic, walk from the Southshore Community Centre to the Spirit Catcher along the waterfront. The trail is always maintained in the winter.
Stephanie Mayo is a travel blogger based in Barrie, Ontario, who’s always on the hunt for hidden gems, going beyond the popular places, from small towns to trails. Her passion is celebrating all things local, from farm to fork experiences to artisan markets. You’ll find her travel and hiking guides at The World As I See It, and you can follow along via her Instagram.
Find more inspiration for how to turn your winter blahs into Ahhhs at https://tctrail.ca/blahs2ahhhs/.
At Trans Canada Trail, we work to expand access to nature, improve visitor experience and ensure Canadians can safely enjoy outdoor spaces for generations to come. Find the trail section closest to you on our interactive map and sign up to Trail Talk for more Trail tales.
Main photo credit: Stephanie Mayo
