Oak Ridges Trail – York Region Section
The Oak Ridges Trail is maintained, promoted and supported by the Oak Ridges Trail Association, a nonprofit organization started in 1991. The trail is 280 kilometres in length along the Oak Ridges Moraine, 103 kilometres of it within York Region. The Oak Ridges Trail also traverses Northumberland County and Durham and Peel Regions. It is designed primarily as a hiking trail, however other uses such as mountain biking and equestrian uses are permitted in sections determined by the land owner. Signage regarding permitted uses is provided on the trail.
The west section in York Region passes Sacred Heart Church, a reminder of the colony where 35 families worked together to survive the depression. The trail continues past the Augustinian Monastery, located in a brick barn built in the 1900s by Henry Pellatt. Further along through Seneca College you will see Eaton Hall a home built for Sir John and Lady Flora McCrae Eaton in the 1930s.
In the central section, the trail passes by Salamander Point in a 29 hectare forest called Case Woodlot, Tamarac Green and Confederation Park. It proceeds on city streets passing by Town Park and Baldwin’s restaurant building, originally a flour/feed mill. The trail then passes through Sheppard’s Bush Conservation Area and the Vandorf and Alliance woodlots.
In the east, the trail passes by the 1947 Whitchurch Conservation Area and six York Regional Forest Tracts planted in the 1920s to prevent soil erosion. The Whitchurch-Stouffville section ends at Musselman’s Lake, a kettle lake named after a Pennsylvanian family who settled nearby in 1807.
The Oak Ridges Trail Association volunteers offer more than 300 guided hikes year-round, free of charge. Guided hikes are offered in all difficulties and lengths, on weekdays and weekends. Hike schedules and related information can be found online at http://oakridgestrail.org
Link to trail description of the Northumberland County section of the Oak Ridges Trail: https://ontarionaturetrails.com/trail/oak-ridges-trail-northumberland-county-section/
Link to trail description of the Durham Region section of the Oak Ridges Trail: https://ontarionaturetrails.com/trail/oak-ridges-trail-durham-region-section/
Link to trail description of the Peel Region section of the Oak Ridges Trail: https://ontarionaturetrails.com/trail/oak-ridges-trail-peel-region-section/
GPS Coordinates and Locations:
West side of York Region:
- 8785 19th Sideroad, Schomberg, ON
- 43.97268 -79.765564
East side of York Region
- 3003 York Durham Line, Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON
- 44.008779 -79.235611
Link to trail map: Found under the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail drop down section:
https://www.york.ca/recreation/trails
We would also direct you to read our DISCLAIMER and our TRAIL USERS CODE.
Region(s): York RegionNearby towns and cities: Stouffville
Oak Ridges Trail – York Region Section characteristics
Length: 280 km.Difficulty: Moderate (Trail classifications)
Trail surface: Natural and Paved
Trail use: Hiking, Cycling, and Equestrian
Partially wheelchair accessible
Fees: None
Flora & Fauna:
Not reported yet
Attractions: None reported
Contact:
Find it: East side of York Region: 3003 York Durham Line, Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON; West side of York Region 8785 19th Sideroad, Schomberg, ON
GPS Coordinates (main trailhead):
Latitude: 44.0087790
Longitude: -79.2356110