Easy hikes and walks around Ramara

Water’s Edge Trail opened with the park in 1971, and follows the shore of Lake Simcoe before circling McRae Point itself. Along the water, the path is wide and relatively flat, then winds through a cedar and hardwood swamp filled with ferns and rattlesnake fern, crosses a boardwalk over the marsh, and climbs into mixed forest along the ridgeline. The path is uneven and narrow in a few places and can be challenging for anyone with limited mobility, but it’s a great walk for birdwatching and the views over the lake are breathtaking.

McRae Point Provincial Park sits on the shores of Lake Simcoe, with a mix of forest, wetlands, beach and plenty of open lakeshore to explore. The park has a large campground and day-use area, a designated swimming area, and a boat launch providing access to the Trent-Severn Waterway. It’s a popular summer spot for swimming, boating, and fishing, and if you’re a birdwatcher, there are around 79 recorded bird species here, including yellow-throated vireos and pileated woodpeckers. You’ll find just one trail here, the Water’s Edge Trail, which winds through the hardwood swamp and along the waterfront.

At the southern tip of the peninsula, the trees open up to a panoramic view of Lake Simcoe and Strawberry Island in the distance. It’s known locally as one of the best spots to watch the sunset in the park, and if you time it right, you’ll catch the beautiful colours reflecting on the lake as evening sets in. You might also spot a few wild ducks, often seen here drifting just offshore.

This is where the Millennium Trail meets the Uhthoff Trail. Part of the Trans Canada Trail, the Uhthoff Trail takes walkers, cyclists and runners to scenic wooded areas, wetlands and across many streams.

Couchiching Beach Park has a number of attractions, as well as its small beach. There's a miniature steam railway, fountains, flower gardens, picnic tables and a skating rink in the winter. It's a good spot to stop at if you're walking the Millennium Trail and there are toilet facilities here too.

Stories Converge is a sculpture by artist Kyle Thornley that features a sizeable eastern white pine cone with a round metal bench with room for half-a-dozen people. He chose the white pine as its history is strongly connected to the history of people in the region. It's one of nine pieces that form the Crossroads, Connections and Intersections project.

Grant’s Woods Trails are a network of short, colour-marked loops that make it easy to explore the reserve at your own pace, with routes ranging from short woodland walks to longer connected circuits. The gently rolling paths cross small bridges, pass through shady forest, and skirt wetland edges, creating variety without steep or difficult terrain. Quiet and well-maintained, the trails are a popular spot for an easy nature walk in a beautiful and peaceful forest setting.

Grant’s Woods Nature Reserve protects a quiet stretch of mature forest, wetlands, and small ravines, creating an important refuge for native plants and wildlife. Managed by the Couchiching Conservancy, the reserve includes stands of maple, oak, ash, and eastern hemlock, helping preserve one of the region’s remaining natural woodlands. The area is dotted with benches, bridges, and interpretive signs that invite visitors to slow down and explore the landscape while preserving the environment.