Gravenhurst Nordic Trails (formerly Muskoka KOA) is off the main highway just north of the town of the same name. A quaint, secluded set of Nordic ski loops for the whole family to try. A perfect spot for a beginner looking to check out a winter sport.
This Nordic ski location is a busy spot in the summer with campers, but in the winter the cross-country ski trails are quiet, with few people and in a rather unknown location.
Much of what you may ski was once a popular MTB area (known as Buckwallow, now closed) and is a golf course in the summer. The groomed tracks run on the main wide double-track paths.
Most everything is pretty flat, with a few rolling inclines and is easy to ski. There are no monster hills though the Burnt Pine and Mohawk trails on the back end are rated Intermediate with a few climbs.
The Boundary trail is rated Advanced but was closed, so I cannot comment, but it should be more challenging.
There is a lovely open shelter on the far side before heading back to rest and eat a snack. Handy as the day we were there, it was snowing heavily.
If you head back on the Tamarack trail, it is an open flat ski over marshy ground so watch for open water if you bushwhack in mild temps.
As with all Nordic resorts what trails are open and groomed depends on the snowbase and weather. The Tamarack is one of those trails that may not be open in the spring.
Snowshoeing can be done but you have to share the ski trail, which is not truly wide enough for both sports we found in many places. A separate snowshoe trail should be marked using the old MTB trails.
There are ski and snowshoe rentals at the office, plus a few snacks to buy.
A great spot for beginners, but if you are a seasoned skier these loops may seem too short and tame for you. Not much of a workout and not many long descents to fly down, unfortunately.
When in cottage country, a convenient and friendly location to visit right off hwy 11. After your ski, Gravenhurst has all the eateries and logging you could wish for when you come.
