Collingwood: Trails, Waterfront and History

In Collingwood, waterfront trails, things to do on the water and traces of a rich local history are among the many different facets of this vacation destination. You can make your stay active outdoors, enjoy water-based activities at the harbour or explore historical topics at your own pace. The mix you’re looking for may also shape your choice of a vacation rental in Collingwood: would you mainly like to explore trails, learn about the town’s history, or combine both?

Walking Trails and Active Days

The Collingwood Trails Network includes more than 60 kilometres of multi-use recreational trails. It’s suited to cyclists, walkers and joggers, as well as cross-country skiers and snowshoers. The range of intended activities is useful when planning your day: some trails can be used on foot or by bike, while cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are specifically part of the winter offering.

If you’d like to focus on a shorter, measured route, two walking routes offer different experiences. The Harbour Circle Route is 4.2 kilometres long and runs along the waterfront promenade and boardwalk. The 5.8-kilometre East Circle Route passes through Sunset Point Park. The George Christie Nature Trails are suitable for hiking and cycling, as well as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter. At the Collingwood Arboretum, you’ll find paved and natural-surface trails for hiking and cycling. This gives you a choice between specific loop routes and other trails with different surfaces when planning your day.

Waterfront and Harbour

Sunset Point is a waterfront spot in Collingwood with spacious green areas, volleyball courts, access to waterfront trails, a concession area and washrooms. Millennium Park offers views of Georgian Bay and Collingwood Harbour; it also has opportunities for picnicking, swimming and fishing. At the Port of Collingwood and around the harbour, you can consider sailing, windsurfing, fishing, hiking and paddling adventures. The different offerings appeal to a range of interests: you can choose from walks and trails as well as activities on or by the water.

Discover History and Culture

There are several ways to learn about Collingwood’s history. More than 50 buildings in and around downtown illustrate historical milestones shaped by the railway, shipbuilding and agriculture. Collingwood’s Heritage Conservation District is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places. Four self-guided historical walks—Look Up Tour, Downtown Heritage Walk, West Heritage Walk and East Heritage Walk—offer different ways to explore the town’s historic streetscape. The Discover Collingwood app lets you explore the Heritage District.

The Collingwood Museum also focuses on the community’s history: exhibitions, programs, events, archives and educational offerings tell the story of its development. A virtual tour of the First World War includes points of interest on the museum grounds and in the historic downtown. Those interested in shipbuilding heritage can explore the virtual exhibition “Hulls on Hurontario: Collingwood's Maritime Legacy,” which features more than 100 photos, along with detailed text and audio content. An interactive map of public artworks lets you explore art throughout the town and plan your own art tour.

Local Food and Other Destinations

Collingwood offers a self-guided craft beverage tour. The town also features locally grown farm-fresh and handcrafted food and drinks. So, if you’d like to plan your trip around your personal interests, trails, waterfront activities, local history and local products can each offer something to explore.

For other places in the directory, you can also explore Creemore, Port Mcnicoll, Angus, Brechin, Borden, Oro, Tiny and Alliston.

For the broader travel overview: Simcoe County.