Duntroon: Trails, nature and local history

Duntroon combines winter sports, trails through varied landscapes and historic sites. Highlands Nordic has 30 kilometres of trails for classic cross-country skiing and skate skiing; at Nottawasaga Lookout Provincial Nature Reserve, cliff and gorge habitats of the Niagara Escarpment meet wooded slopes and wetlands. Historic Islay Park and local food and drink also add their own character. When choosing a location, consider whether trails, nature, culture or culinary discoveries are especially important to your trip.

Cross-country skiing, night skiing and disc golf

The 30 kilometres of trails at Highlands Nordic are for classic cross-country skiing and skate skiing. This lets you choose between two styles without limiting the entire offering to just one. Night skiing is also available on selected evenings. A 3-kilometre, dog-friendly ski trail provides another option for guests travelling with a dog.

Equipment rentals also cater to both types of cross-country skiing, with boots, skis and poles for classic cross-country skiing and skate skiing. Highlands Nordic also has an 18-hole disc golf course. It is open daily from 9 a.m. until sunset. The trails, ski trail and disc golf course offer different starting points for planning a stay, depending on which activity you want to focus on.

Trails and nature along the Niagara Escarpment

Nottawasaga Lookout Provincial Nature Reserve includes representative cliff and gorge habitats of the Niagara Escarpment, as well as wooded slopes, wetlands, talus slopes, and caves and fissures. The Bruce Trail runs through the reserve and offers opportunities for hiking and observing nature. Those interested in different types of landscapes will find a different focus here than in the sports activities.

Duntroon Highlands has 15 kilometres of marked trails through open areas and deciduous forests. Also near the destination is the Highlands Art & Tree Trail: a 2-kilometre loop high on the Escarpment above Duntroon. Five local artists and several tree installations are part of this trail. This gives you a choice between marked trails through open areas and deciduous forest, and a shorter loop featuring art and tree installations.

Islay Park and Duntroon Hall

Historic Islay Park in Duntroon was established in 1934 and today has playground equipment and a large green space. These features give the park a different character from the marked trails and winter sports activities. For families considering playground equipment, it offers a practical point of reference when deciding which experiences matter at the destination.

Duntroon Hall was rebuilt on the edge of historic, five-acre Islay Park. It is a former military drill hall. The park and hall thus bring together two distinct local features: a green space established in 1934 with playground equipment, and a building with a historic military function.

Local products and regional discoveries

Near the destination, Duntroon Cyder House offers local products and a tasting area where visitors can enjoy them. Those interested in regional products can include this place as a distinct part of their trip planning. In the wider region, the Apple Pie Trail is a culinary trail that connects food and drink, shopping, adventure, farms and other local experiences. It offers a broader view of the region, beyond individual products and tastings.

When looking for a vacation rental in Duntroon, you can weigh your interests: for example, cross-country skiing with or without a dog, observing nature and exploring marked trails, or combining local history with regional products. These different features can help you decide whether Duntroon suits the kind of stay you are planning.

More destination pages

More destination pages: Washago, Nottawa, Wymbolwood Beach, Penetanguishene, Barrie, Port Severn, Borden, Victoria Harbour.

For the main travel overview: Simcoe County.