How to Spend a Day on the Trans Canada Trail in Orillia, Ontario

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I find myself in Orillia often. It’s only about an hour and a half from Toronto, and every time I visit, I find something new to do. Sometimes it’s a beach day in the summer or a quick weekend getaway by the lake. 

Most recently, I went for the colours. Late October is when the fall foliage is at its brightest here, and I wanted to experience the autumn colours somewhere peaceful, without driving too far from the city.

Orillia is a perfect place to enjoy a fall walk thanks to the Trans Canada Trail. The city is home to a beautiful stretch of this national trail network, where you can walk or cycle between parks, museums, and quiet lakeside views. 

So, on a late October weekend, Lucas and I decided to spend a day exploring Orillia’s section of the trail and enjoy it at the best time of year. Our walk along the trails brought us to points of interest like the Leacock Museum, which made for a relaxing day that included the outdoors along with learning some Orillia history. 

Want to enjoy the Trans Canada Trail in Orillia yourself? Read on to learn exactly how we spent our day in Orillia.

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Person walking along a forest trail covered in fallen leaves, surrounded by trees with bright red, orange, and yellow autumn foliage.
View of a gravel trail lined with trees in early fall colours, with a person in a patterned jacket slightly out of focus in the foreground looking down the path.

Moments from our walk on the Trans Canada Trail in and around Orillia.

What is the Trans Canada Trail?

The Trans Canada Trail is the longest recreational trail network in the world, connecting communities across every province and territory. Stretching nearly 30,000 kilometres, it links urban paths, rural routes, and wilderness trails. 

Many sections of the Trans Canada Trail are open year-round for activities like walking, hiking, cycling, paddling, and, in some regions, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Behind the Trans Canada Trail is the organization that advocates, stewards and champions Canada’s nationwide trail system. The folks at Trans Canada Trail provide leadership and guidance, funding and resources, and they manage outreach and engagement. It’s a wonderful initiative that ensures this epic network of trails is accessible to Canadians and well-maintained.

Informational sign for the Orillia Millennium Trail surrounded by autumn foliage, showing a map of the trail network, points of interest, and trail guidelines, with trees and fallen leaves in the background.
Millennium Trail signage in Orillia.

Can you hike the entire Trans Canada Trail?

The Trans Canada Trail spans nearly 30,000 kilometres and connects every province and territory across Canada. While some people have made it a goal to complete every part of the trail from coast to coast to coast, the Trail isn’t necessarily designed for one continuous journey.

Traveling its full length would take at least two years, and it requires a person to be highly prepared and have a lot of experience in the outdoors.

The Trans Canada Trail is really designed to be enjoyed in sections. With its mix of hiking paths, cycling routes, and waterways, people are encouraged to experience local segments at their own pace, whether for an afternoon walk, a weekend paddle, or a multi-day bike trip.

That said, there are a few remarkable individuals who have completed the entire Trail, including Dianne Whelan, who became the first person to finish both the land and water routes in 2021, and Melanie Vogel, who completed it in 2022. 

One thing to note is that the Trans Canada Trail is always evolving. The Trail today is already different from the Trail that was completed by Dianne Whelan and Melanie Vogel.

The Trans Canada Trail in Orillia

Orillia is one of the many communities the Trans Canada Trail passes through in Ontario. The city sits between Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe, and is known for its scenic waterfront views and access to multiple connected trails. 

The Orillia Millennium Trail connects Tudhope Park to the Leacock Museum, following a smooth, scenic route along the shoreline of Lake Couchiching.

You can link up the Orillia Millennium Trail with other parts of the Trans Canada Trail network, including the Rama Rail Trail and the Uhthoff Trail, which extend the experience into neighbouring communities and more rural areas. 

Together, these connected paths make it easy to enjoy Orillia’s lakeside, beaches, downtown area, and the surrounding countryside. Spending a day on the trail here gives you a mix of nature, local culture, and history.

Curved paved pathway lined with benches and trees showing bright fall colours at Tudhope Park in Orillia, Ontario, on a sunny autumn day.
Tudhope Park

Start at Tudhope Park

We started our morning at Tudhope Park, a large green space that stretches out into Lake Couchiching. The Orillia Millennium Trail runs right through the park, so it felt like a natural place to begin walking Orillia’s section of the Trans Canada Trail. 

This paved, 8.25-kilometre route is great for walking, cycling, or jogging. The path is flat, and as you walk it, you have views of the park itself, and Lake Couchiching. I especially enjoyed spotting geese and ducks out on the lake, as well as squirrels running around the park.

Bronze sculpture of Gordon Lightfoot titled Golden Leaves in Tudhope Park, Orillia, Ontario, surrounded by autumn trees with colourful foliage and a view of Lake Couchiching in the background.
Gordon Lightfoot sculpture called Golden Leaves

As we followed the path along the water, we passed benches and shaded spots that looked perfect for a sit-down or picnic. 

The park is also home to the Gordon Lightfoot sculpture Golden Leaves, which honours the Orillia-born singer-songwriter. I have family from Orillia, and so I grew up often hearing Gordon Lightfoot’s music on the stereo and in the car. 

The bronze sculpture features leaves engraved with lyrics from his songs and a figure of Lightfoot seated on a bench with his guitar. Seeing this sculpture in autumn is particularly beautiful, because the sculpture was surrounded by gorgeous foliage.

A person stands beside an interpretive sign titled “Old Brewery Bay,” reading about the history of the Leacock property, with calm lake water and autumn trees in the background.
Lucas reading signage along the lake.

Stop By the Leacock Museum

After walking through Tudhope Park, we continued following the Orillia Millennium Trail along the lake, all the way to the Leacock Museum National Historic Site. 

This museum was once the summer home of Stephen Leacock, a Canadian author and humourist who spent much of his life in Orillia. 

His writing often drew inspiration from this area, and the museum now preserves both his work and his connection to the town. Inside, there are exhibits about his books, his life here, and what Orillia was like in the early 1900s.

The historic Leacock Museum house in Orillia, Ontario, a white two-storey building with dark trim, a brick chimney, and autumn leaves framing the view.
Leacock Museum

When we visited, the museum was decorated for Halloween, with cobwebs and pumpkins scattered around the old house, which gave it a fun, slightly spooky feel! 

Admission is just $5 for adults, and it’s definitely worth it to step inside and get a sense of Orillia’s literary history. Just be sure to check the opening hours before you go, since they change seasonally. 

Before leaving, we followed the short path down to Leacock’s boathouse, a quiet spot on the lake that gives you a glimpse of the same views that inspired much of his writing. During the fall, this short path was particularly beautiful!

Stephen Leacock’s boathouse on Lake Couchiching, a white wooden structure with a wraparound deck surrounded by fall foliage and calm water with ducks near the shore.
Stephen Leacock’s boathouse

Follow the Orillia Millennium Trail to Downtown Orillia

From Tudhope Park, we followed the Millennium Trail toward downtown Orillia. You’ll know you’ve reached downtown when you come to Couchiching Beach Park, one of Orillia’s most popular public spaces. 

The trail connects directly to the beach, where you can take a break, enjoy a snack, or, in the summer months, go for a swim. The park has plenty of open space and picnic tables, making it a great rest stop along the way.

Depending on the time of day, you might be hungry at this point! From Couchiching Beach Park, we walked up to Mississauga St E, which is Orillia’s main street. There’s lots of dining options here! Pop into the famous Mariposa Market for a sandwich, or drop by Poppies Bagel Company.

Hand holding an iced coffee with coconut milk from Mr. Seto Café in Orillia, Ontario, inside a cozy café with exposed brick walls, plants, and wooden furniture in the background.
Delicious coffee from Mr. Seto’s

If you’re in the mood for coffee, stop by Mr. Seto Cafe. They make a delicious iced coffee that comes with frothy coconut milk.  

After a coffee and snack on Mississauga Street, we headed toward the north end of Couchiching Beach. Here, you’ll find a particularly beautiful stretch of the Orillia Millennium Trail. This stretch actually connects eventually to the Uhthoff Trail. This section is especially scenic in the fall, with trees that turn bright orange and gold, and arch over the pathway.

Wooden sign marking the entrance to the Lightfoot Trail at Jarvis Street in Orillia, Ontario, surrounded by trees with bright autumn leaves, with a person walking along the leaf-covered path in the distance.
The Lightfoot Trail

Venture Outside Orillia to Enjoy the Uhthoff Trail

In the afternoon, we decided to walk another section of the Trans Canada Trail just outside Orillia: the Uhthoff Trail. You can connect to this trail using the Lightfoot Trail, but it makes for a long walk. So we decided to hop back in the car and drive 15 minutes to the Uhthoff trail instead.

This 32-kilometre trail is a section of the Trans Canada Trail that stretches from Orillia to Waubaushene, following what was once a CN rail line.

The Uhthoff Trail has a peaceful, rural atmosphere that feels completely different from the city’s waterfront paths. The crushed gravel surface makes it easy for both walking and cycling, and the route winds through farmland, wetlands, and stretches of forest.

There’s a small parking lot at Division Road East and Carlyon Line that has direct access to the Uhthoff Trail. You can park here for free, making it the perfect spot to hop onto this trail.

The Uhthoff Trail has some interpretive signs sharing stories about the area’s railway history and local ecosystems. A few cyclists and dog walkers passed by, but for the most part, it was quiet. 

We didn’t walk the full trail, I think this is more doable if you’re cycling. So, we just walked until we reached a small bridge that crossed over a river, before deciding to turn back.

A flat, gravel path surrounded by fall foliage and blue skies.
The Uhthoff Trail

Wrap Up Your Day With a Cozy Dinner

After spending the day enjoying the Trans Canada Trail around Orillia, we made our way back to downtown Orillia for dinner. 

We ended up at The Hog and Penny, a cozy British-style pub that felt just right after a full day outside. We ordered their brussel sprouts, and fish and chips, which tasted even better than I expected, probably because I’d worked up such an appetite on the trail. 

We had such a lovely day enjoying the Trans Canada Trail in Orillia. The Millennium Trail shows off Orillia’s lakeshore and cultural spots, while the Uhthoff Trail is perfect for quiet stretches of countryside. 

This day trip would be beautiful at any time of year, but we felt that visiting in October made it extra special. The trees were bright with colour, the air was cool, and the crowds were gone!

a plate of brussel sprouts next to a plate of Pâté en Croûte at Hog & Penny
We got brussel sprouts and pate at Hog & Penny

Practical Tips for a Day on the Trans Canada Trail

Planning to spend a day on the trails in Orillia? Here are some tips to keep in mind. 

How to Get There and Get Around

Orillia is about a 90-minute drive north of Toronto, and a 30-minute drive from Barrie. There’s free parking at several points along the trail, including Tudhope Park and the start of the Uhthoff Trail.

It’s very doable to walk these trails, but you can consider bringing bikes too. On a bike, you’re able to cover much more ground!

What to Bring on the Trans Canada Trail

Pack water, snacks, and weather-appropriate layers, especially in the fall when temperatures can vary depending on sunshine and wind. Sun protection is useful in summer, and a rain jacket is smart to have year-round.

Follow Leave No Trace Principles

Following Leave No Trace principles helps protect the natural areas we enjoy so they remain healthy for future visitors and wildlife. 

These principles remind us to stay on marked paths, pack out all garbage, and respect plants and animals. Even small actions, like avoiding shortcuts or carrying reusable containers, make a big difference in keeping the Trans Canada Trail clean and sustainable.

View of Lake Couchiching in Orillia, Ontario, surrounded by trees with bright red, orange, and yellow fall leaves, with ducks swimming near the shore and overhanging branches framing the scene.
Fall views in Tudhope Park

Please Visit Orillia Responsibly

Visiting Orillia’s trails is about more than just checking things off a list or getting the perfect photo for social media. It’s about being a responsible tourist. This is how we can help ensure that communities benefit from the pros vs. cons of tourism.

It’s also important to acknowledge that Orillia is located on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, which includes the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Pottawatomi Nations, collectively known as the Three Fires Confederacy. This area is also home to the Chippewas of Rama First Nation.

These First Nations have lived along the shores of Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe since time immemorial, caring for and protecting this land, water, and all living things here for countless generations.

If you’re planning to visit Orillia, here are some resources to help you visit in a mindful way:

I want to thank the team at Trans Canada Trail for hosting Lucas and I as media. All opinions expressed are my own. 

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