Collingwood's netwok of trails, cycling routes, and pathways support outdoor recreation, accessibility, and active transportation throughout the community.
On this page:
Collingwood Trails Network
The Collingwood Trails Netwok includes more than 60 kilometres of multi-use recreational trails connecting parks, waterfront areas, and community destinations throughout the Town. The Trails Network offers recreational trails for cyclists, walkers, joggers, cross-country skiers, and snowshoers.
Major trail destinations include:
The George Christie Nature Trails
The shoreline of Sunset Point Park
The scenic lookout at Millennium Park
The tranquil gardens of the Arboretum
The Collingwood Labyrinth
The Museum and Historic Downtown Collingwood
The trail network includes granular, concrete, asphalt, wooden boardwalks, and natural surface trails. Most surfaced trails are flat terrain and generally accessible for people with physical challenges. Snowmobiles are permitted only on signed local access trails. No other motorized vehicles are permitted on the trails.
Outdoor activity supports both physical and mental well-being while helping residents and visitors stay connected throughout the community. In addition to its ever-expanding network of recreational trails, Collingwood is also expanding its cycling routes, bike parking stations and safe crosswalks to promote and encourage active transportation and alternative modes of travel in the area.
Water refill stations are available throughout the trail network from May to October to help trail users stay hydrated during wormer months.
A serene route in the centre of town. Stroll along the waterfront, the boardwalk, the Arboretum, and the labyrinth. For an extra bonus, follow the trails to the top of the berm and enjoy a perfect view of the town, the Collingwood Terminals, and the ski hills at Blue Mountain.
Our most scenic circle route takes you along the tree-lined Train Trail, the picturesque Pretty River, and through beautiful Sunset Point Park. Visit the Museum, Central Park, the Japanese Garden, and interpretive signs celebrating the history of the town.
A pleasant walk in the west end of town following the Georgian Trail and the Black Ash Creek. Drop into one of the resorts along the route for a beverage to enhance your trip.
Looking for a challenge? Follow the Heather Pathway around the entire town and experience all the sites that the town has to offer.
Want to rough it a little? Hike or bike these nature trails and experience the wilderness without leaving town. They are fantastic trails to snowshoe or X-country ski on in the winter.
The former Eleventh Line nature trail area was renamed to the George Christie Nature Trails in recognition of George Christie and his passion for the Collingwood Trails. George is one of the original founders of the Collingwood Trails in the mid 1980’s. George has provided many years of dedication to the trails and their development.
Please be sure to check out the entire area. It is a beautiful wilderness retreat within the town limits and an outstanding location for a peaceful nature stroll or a snowshoe hike in the winter months.
As you will notice on the Trail Maps, the George Christie Nature Trails connect with the Georgian Trail in two spots and can be an excellent combination trail experience.
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Trail Etiquette
The Collingwood Trails are a multi-use accessible trail system for pedestrians, dog-walkers, cyclists, snowshoers, cross-country skiers, and snowmobiles on designated trails only.
To help provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all trail users, please follow basic etiquette items including:
Pedestrians always have the right of way
Stay to the right of the trail
Pass on the left and sound a warning by bell or voice
Do not block the trail
Dogs must be on a leash and under your control
Stoop and scoop after your pet and dispose of waste properly
Keep music and personal entertainment devices at a respectful volume to hear others who may be passing
Please do not leave pet waste or pet waste bags on the ground, as there are numerous pet waste bag dispensers located along the trails.
Safety on Trails
While many Collingwood trails are located near homes and businesses, some sections may become more isolated for trail users.
For your safety while using the trails:
Travel with a buddy when possible
Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return
Carry a cell phone
Stay aware of your surroundings
Emergencies can happen when you least expect them, so trail users are encouraged to plan ahead and use caution.
Active Transportation
Active transportation refers to human-powered travel such as walking, cycling, rollerblading, skateboarding, and mobility aids including wheelchairs and scooters.
Since 2015, Collingwood has continued expanding its active transportation infrastructure to include:
On-road bicycle facilities
Shared cycling facilities
Multi-use pathways
Bike parking stations
Improved crosswalks and connections
These transportation options support:
Healthier lifestyles
Reduced emissions
Energy savings
Lower transportation costs
A cleaner, healthier, and more livable community
E-Bikes and Pedalecs
Collingwood's multi-use trails are shared by hikers, cyclists, dog walkers, runners, in line skaters, and other users. Please be courteous, share the trail, and cycle at a safe speed. Motorized vehicles, including e-bikes are prohibited, except for personal mobility devices and pedalecs.
What's the Difference Between an E-Bike and a Pedalec?
E-Bike
Has an electric motor that can propel the bike.
May operate using a throttle.
Permitted on roads and on-road bike lanes where bicycles are permitted.
Not permitted on Town multi-use trails.
By-law definition: Motor-assisted bicycle with an integrated electric motor that can be used for propulsion.
Pedalec
Electric motor only provides assistance while the rider is pedalling.
No throttle propulsion; pedalling is required to activate the motor.
Permitted on roads, on-road bike lanes, and Town multi-use trails.
Permitted on Town multi-use trails.
Must require pedalling to activate the motor, have a maximum assisted speed of 25 km/h, and weigh less than 40 kg.
E-Bikes on Town Roads and Trails
E-bikes remain permitted on Town roads and within on-road bicycle lanes wherever bicycles are allowed. Riders are expected to follow all applicable traffic laws and regulations when operating an e-bike on these facilities.
To help ensure the safety and enjoyment of all users, e-bikes are not permitted on sidewalks or on Town-owned multi-use trails. These spaces are intended for pedestrians and other approved recreational uses.
The Town is currently working to modernize its regulations related to micro-mobility devices. Additional information will be posted as updates become available.
E-bikes in Ontario must have:
steering handlebars and working pedals
an electric motor not exceeding 500 Watts
a maximum speed of 32 km/h
a maximum weight of 120 kg
a permanent label from the manufacturer in both English and French stating that your e-bike conforms to the federal definition of a power-assisted bicycle
If you would like to confirm whether a specific electric vehicle is permitted on local roads or trails, please contact Customer Service at 705-445-1030 or by email townhall@collingwood.ca.
Volunteer Opportunities
Do you walk the trails regularly? Do you want to help keep the trails clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone? Do you have a few extra minutes in your weeks?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider joining our enthusiastic group of trail volunteers, including; Trail Captains, Map Distributors, Keen Photographers, and Community work parties.
Trail Captains help care for a small section of trail by removing litter and reporting hazards or maintenance concerns. Map Distributors help keep trail map boxes stocked throughout the network. We also welcome photographers to contribute trail photos and volunteers to assist with periodic trail improvement projects.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact the Parks, Recreation and Culture Department by email at prc@collingwood.ca or phone 705-444-2500.
Collingwood Trails Part 1:
Collingwood Trails Part 2:
Bike to the Park:
Explore Collingwood by E-Bike:
Skate Park:
Funding for these videos was provided by:
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Comprehensive Trail Maps are available for free (or if you are able, for a minor donation) at many locations around town.
Trail maps are available at
Town Hall, 97 Hurontario Street
The Collingwood Museum, 45 St. Paul Street
Collingwood Public Library, 55 Ste. Marie Street
Plus 100 businesses serving visitors throughout the Town
Map boxes at strategic locations on the trail
Map boards
In addition, to make it easier for people to navigate the Collingwood Trails, map boards have been installed around town so that everyone can quickly determine where they are and plan a route to where they wish to go. Map boards are located at Sixth Street and Black Ash Trail, Poplar Sideroad and the Train Trail, Marine View Drive and Highway 26, and beside the bicycle Outdoor Repair Station in Sunset Point Park.
For further information contact Collingwood Parks, Recreation & Culture at 705-445-1030.
The Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) program was launched in 2010 by Share the Road Canada to provide assistance and guidance to municipalities to actively support cycling in their communities. The BFC program evaluates cycling related achievements in four different categories: Engineering, Education, Encouragement, and Evaluation & Planning. To be eligible for an award (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond) achievements must be made in all four categories. Collingwood achieved the Silver level award in 2021 and is aiming towards gold in the future.
For more information on the Bicycle Friendly Community Award please visit the Bicycle Friendly Community Award Media Release
Find your trail!
Learn more about the Collingwood Trails with our short video
Which trails are groomed in the winter months?
Recreational trails are not maintained in the winter except the trails within Harbourview Park and the Georgian Trail. These trails are groomed when there is adequate snow to pack down, they are not plowed or sanded.
The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) maintains their snowmobile trails which include a portion of the north side of Poplar Sideroad (from Saunders Street to High Street) and the Black Ash Trail (from Chamberlain Street heading north to Canadian Tire). The OFSC also grooms the Harbourview Trail from Balsam Street to Birch Street. All OFSC trails are signed.
The Town allows snowmobiles along the Train Trail (from the OPP Station to Poplar Sideroad) and along the Hamilton Drain Trail (from the Train Trail west to Saunders Street). These two trails are for local access to the OFSC trails as per By-law 2015-095.
Snowmobiles are required to follow the Highway Traffic Act when operating on the roadway and should not use pedestrian sidewalks.
Explore Collingwood's history, Features on the Trail
To preserve the rich history of the Town of Collingwood, we are using the trails to to highlight natural and historical sites by installing interpretive panels at important locations. Travel the trails and expand your knowledge of Collingwood history. To find the interpretive signs, check out the GPS coordinates below.
Additional potential sites have been identified, but in order to proceed, more Sign Sponsors and suitable historic images are required. If you wish to sponsor a sign or have historical pictures that could be useful, please refer to the Donor Gift Program on this website.
In 2014 an energetic group of volunteers proposed an 11 circuit Chartres Labyrinth be built in Harbourview Park along the Collingwood trails network. They fundraised enough funds to construct the labyrinth in 2015 on lands donated by the Town.
This site is a big destination all year round and provides a place of reflection if needed. There is an interpretive sign on site to explain the purpose of labyrinths and how to use it in the most beneficial manner.
